one of the very first

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "one of the very first" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to something that was among the earliest of its kind. For example: "The Wright Brothers were one of the very first to create a successful airplane."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

One of the very first insults on the bronchial system is by oxidants present in cigarette smoke.

BMJ Open

One of the very first things I did when Welly joined the family was get him microchipped.

Huffington Post

From here on out, this is going to be one of the very first things we look for.

TechCrunch

He was one of the very first ones with whom I had a conversation on camera.

TechCrunch

That was one of the very first things he saw.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I'm delighted to be one of the very first witnesses at one of the very first marriages for all," the Paris Match journalist told RTL radio.

The Guardian - Opinion

"This was one of the very first films to be tied to a record release.

The Guardian

"One of the very first things people buy in emerging markets is light," Mr. Sivignon said.

The New York Times

It was one of the very first issues to be swift-boated by social conservatives.

The New York Times

Pictured in exquisite detail, it is one of the very first European images of Chinese porcelain.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

I chaired an ERC committee for Starting Grants, one of the very first, and it was a fantastic experience.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "one of the very first" to highlight the novelty or precedence of something, especially when emphasizing its impact or significance. For example, "The internet was one of the very first technologies to connect people globally in real-time."

Common error

Avoid using "one of the very first" repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language by using synonyms or rephrasing to maintain reader engagement. For example, instead of saying "The company was one of the very first to adopt AI, and it was one of the very first to see significant results", try "The company pioneered AI adoption and quickly saw significant results."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "one of the very first" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically used to modify a noun. It indicates that the noun it modifies belongs to a select group of the earliest or most original instances of its kind. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "one of the very first" is a versatile phrase used to emphasize that something was among the earliest and often most original of its kind. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase is considered grammatically correct and appears across various contexts, from news and media to science and formal business writing. While widely accepted, it's wise to avoid overuse and consider synonyms like "among the earliest" or "pioneering" for stylistic variation. By understanding its function and purpose, you can confidently incorporate "one of the very first" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

among the earliest

Focuses on the temporal aspect of being early, without necessarily emphasizing uniqueness or importance.

one of the initial

Replaces "very first" with "initial", which is a more formal synonym, slightly altering the tone.

among the pioneering

Highlights the innovative and groundbreaking aspect of being first, suggesting leadership and initiative.

one of the original

Emphasizes the aspect of being the source or beginning of something, rather than just being early.

at the forefront

Indicates being in a leading position or at the cutting edge of a development.

one of the leading

Highlights the aspect of being a leader or one of the most prominent in a particular field or development.

one of the earliest examples

Specifies that the subject is an example, adding clarity but also length to the phrase.

a groundbreaking instance

Focuses on the innovative impact, moving away from a simple chronological perspective.

an early instance

A simpler and more direct way of indicating that something occurred relatively early in a sequence.

among the precursors

Highlights that the subject came before and paved the way for others, emphasizing its role as a predecessor.

FAQs

How can I use "one of the very first" in a sentence?

You can use "one of the very first" to emphasize that something was among the earliest of its kind. For instance, "The printing press was "one of the very first" inventions to enable mass communication".

What are some alternatives to saying "one of the very first"?

Alternatives include phrases like "among the earliest", "one of the initial", or "among the pioneering", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "one of the very first"?

While "first" already implies being at the beginning, adding "very" can emphasize the earliness or uniqueness. Whether it's redundant depends on the context; sometimes the extra emphasis is warranted.

What's the difference between "one of the first" and "one of the very first"?

Adding "very" intensifies the sense of something being among the earliest. "One of the first" simply indicates it was among the early examples, while "one of the very first" suggests it was among the absolute earliest or most original.