on the first time

USAGE SUMMARY

"on the first time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a specific occasion or instance. For example, "I met my best friend on the first time we went to the movies together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

But even if another opportunity does come along later on, they'll always remember you as the one they passed on the first time around.

TechCrunch

Sometimes I would hit it on the first time.

The New York Times

Click on the "First Time Logging in?" link under the "Forgot password?" link.

University of California, Berkeley

These numbers were an improvement on the first time such data was requested.

The Guardian

"These are what I splurged on the first time I really spent money on shoes," he said.

The New York Times

"There are some talented entrepreneurs who fail on the first time, learn and then succeed," he said.

The New York Times

On the first time he met Gov. Eliot Spitzer, when Mr. Spitzer was attorney general: "I liked him.

The New York Times

"There's a trial pamphlet on the first time that a mother was given custody of the children in a divorce case," Mills said.

Cornell University

When I tried the costume on the first time, the armpits ripped right away, so we added the patches to reinforce those areas.

Princeton University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

And almost everyone, it seems, is homing in on the first-time Indian wine drinker with inexpensive and easy-on-the-palate offerings.

The New York Times

Last week, the House of Representatives moved to eliminate the repayment feature on the first-time home buyer tax credit and to raise mortgage loan limits.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a sequence of events, use "on the first time" to clearly indicate the initial occurrence. For instance, "On the first time I visited Paris, I fell in love with the city."

Common error

Avoid using "on the first time" when simply indicating something occurred once. Instead, reserve it for situations where you're contrasting it with subsequent times or experiences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the first time" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. It specifies when an action or event occurred, denoting the initial instance or occasion. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

20%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Science

13%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on the first time" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to indicate an event occurred during an initial instance. As noted by Ludwig, its register is neutral, making it suitable for various contexts including news, academic writing, and general communication. While alternatives like "initially" or "at first" exist, "on the first time" clearly specifies a particular moment in time. It's important to use this phrase when specifically contrasting a first experience with subsequent ones. With the help of Ludwig, you can confidently incorporate "on the first time" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for the first instance

Specifically denotes the initial occurrence.

at first

Highlights the preliminary experience or attempt.

initially

Emphasizes the beginning stage or period.

upon the first attempt

Highlights the act of trying something for the first time.

at the outset

Focuses on the very beginning or start.

in the beginning

Stresses the earliest phase of an event or process.

when first introduced

Focuses on the act of introducing something or someone for the first time.

on its debut

Refers to the first public appearance or presentation.

at the inception

Highlights the very start or creation of something.

at the premiere

Similar to 'on its debut', often used in arts and entertainment contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "on the first time" in a sentence?

Use "on the first time" to describe an event that happened during the initial occurrence of something. For example, "On the first time I tried sushi, I didn't like it".

What's a good alternative to "on the first time"?

Alternatives include "initially", "at first", or "for the first instance" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "in the first time" instead of "on the first time"?

No, the correct phrase is "on the first time". "In the first time" is not grammatically standard.

When should I use "for the first time" versus "on the first time"?

"For the first time" indicates an experience is new or novel, whereas "on the first time" specifies an action or event during the initial instance. An example would be "I saw snow for the first time" versus "On the first time I skied, I fell a lot".