or secondly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "or secondly" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used when listing points or arguments, typically following "firstly" or "first." Example: "Firstly, we need to address the budget; or secondly, we should consider the timeline for the project."

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Or secondly, the majority view is that there should be no RI in state schools, as in the USA or in France (except in state-funded religious schools).

Comparative Migration Studies

Thus, there are two different ways to transport the fluid; firstly by staying outside of the hydrate-stable region or secondly transport the fluid in the hydrate stable region before hydrate formation started.

Chemical Engineering Science

This is because the materials in front of the tool edge firstly pile up by shearing mechanism and then are extruded or secondly sheared by the cutting tool edge.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Firstly, regionally new firms could be founded upon ideas new to the world, or secondly, regionally new firms could be founded upon ideas known to the world but new to the region (Tödtling and Trippl, 2013).

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

The two most likely options are, firstly, the SNP is part of the opposition to a Conservative or Labour-led government as has been the case over recent decades, or secondly, they do some sort of deal with Labour where its MPs vote on an case-by-case basis.

BBC

But this doctrine of "conditional relevance" has been criticised on two separate arguments: first, that evidence that is said to be "conditionally" relevant is already relevant or, secondly, that no evidence is ever relevant in its own right (Ball 1980; Allen 1992, Wigmore 1983a, §14.1; cf. Nance 1990, Friedman 1994).

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Secondly, OR protocols being source routing the packet header overhead will be high.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Two things to say about that: firstly, his CV hasn't been so impressive in the last decade or so; secondly, another reason the press may be reluctant to get on his back is because this most vigorous of 69-year-old's looks like he wouldn't hesitate to stitch you a loaf if he felt like it.

The Guardian - Sport

There is often an unhappy triad of a firstly new or different, secondly strenuous and thirdly repetitive activity [4, 10, 13].

Insights into Imaging

Therefore, U1 has two main options for retrieving media content streams, which are firstly from lPVR2 via N1 (or N2), secondly from lPVR2 direct via N3.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

This perspective introduces three elements into the discussion: firstly, the presence and the type of stimuli or drivers; secondly, the degree of responsiveness that characterises the organization; and thirdly, a firm's motivations.

Agricultural and Food Economics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider alternatives like "in addition" or "furthermore" for a smoother flow, especially in formal writing.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "or secondly" in close succession. Vary your conjunctions to prevent the writing from sounding monotonous or repetitive. Using different connectors enhances the writing style and maintains reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "or secondly" primarily functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase, linking a second alternative or point to a previously mentioned one. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase might sound awkward and it can be replaced. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its use in enumerating options or arguments.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "or secondly" is a conjunctive phrase used to introduce an alternative or additional point, typically following a "firstly". While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig AI notes that it can sometimes sound awkward, and indeed other options are more frequently used. It is often used in scientific and news contexts. When using "or secondly", ensure it follows a clear "firstly" to maintain parallel structure. Alternatives such as "or in addition" or "or furthermore" may provide a smoother, more formal flow. It's important to vary your conjunctions to avoid sounding repetitive. Be cautious about overusing the phrase. Given Ludwig AI's suggestion of potential awkwardness, consider if a more straightforward alternative might enhance clarity and readability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

or in addition

Replaces "secondly" with a more general term for adding information.

or next

Uses a simpler word to indicate the subsequent point.

or furthermore

Offers a more formal synonym for "secondly".

or moreover

Provides another formal way to introduce an additional point.

or also

Offers a basic alternative to signal an additional element.

or subsequently

Focuses on the temporal sequence of the points.

or to add to that

Introduces the second point as an addition to the first.

or another thing

Uses a more conversational tone to introduce the next point.

or on top of that

Emphasizes the addition of another layer to the argument.

or by extension

Suggests that the second point follows logically from the first.

FAQs

How can I use "or secondly" in a sentence?

Use "or secondly" to introduce the second of two or more alternatives or points. For example, "Firstly, consider the cost; or secondly, think about the timeline."

What's a good alternative to "or secondly"?

Consider using alternatives like "or in addition", "or next", or "or furthermore" to vary your language and improve flow.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "or secondly"?

While grammatically acceptable, starting a sentence with "or secondly" might sound awkward. It's better to use it after establishing a "firstly" to maintain a clear parallel structure.

What is the difference between "or secondly" and "secondly"?

"Or secondly" implies a choice between two options, while "secondly" simply indicates the second point in a sequence. Using "or" suggests an alternative, whereas "secondly" is just a sequential marker.