playing comes first

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "playing comes first" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize the importance of prioritizing play or leisure activities over other responsibilities or tasks. Example: "In our family, we believe that playing comes first, so we always make time for fun activities together."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Playing comes first, then equipment.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The Everyman is a thoughtful and well-crafted way of making space for theatre in which the play comes first, but the architecture also has qualities and integrity.

The Guardian - Arts

When Ms. Graham finished, a man behind me shouted, "Wow!" Ms. Nottage's play comes second to last on the Series A program.

The New York Times

The play came first, in every draft.

The New Yorker

The Zune has 802.11 networking built in and you can send a song to your friend for three days or three plays, which ever comes first.

TechCrunch

Starring in films, playing in bands... Which comes first?

The Guardian - Film

"The only thing I told him is that we come here to play hard and that winning comes first and the team comes first," Torre said.

The New York Times - Sports

Play.' The show comes first".

The New Yorker

When the call to play came in the Giants' sixth game, against the Philadelphia Eagles, surprise replaced frustration.

The New York Times - Sports

A goal by Avery with 3 minutes 41 seconds to play came too late to make a difference.

The New York Times - Sports

A lot of it is to do with me regurgitating tired old riffs, but some of it involves this shot he played while coming second to Tiger Woods at the 1999 PGA in Medinah.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "playing comes first" to advocate for prioritizing recreational activities or leisure time in a context where other responsibilities might typically take precedence. It can be used to promote work-life balance or emphasize the importance of enjoyment.

Common error

Avoid using "playing comes first" in contexts where it might suggest neglecting serious responsibilities or appearing irresponsible. Ensure the context allows for a lighthearted or balanced perspective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "playing comes first" functions as a statement of priority. It indicates that engaging in play or recreational activities is considered more important or should be prioritized over other tasks or responsibilities. Ludwig AI indicates it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Wiki

12%

Reference

10%

Less common in

Science

9%

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "playing comes first" is a declaration emphasizing the importance of recreation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While relatively rare, its usage spans from news to more informal contexts, advocating for balance and enjoyment. Alternatives like "play is the priority" or "fun takes precedence" offer similar meanings. When employing this phrase, consider the setting, ensuring that prioritizing play aligns with the overall context to avoid misinterpretations of neglect or irresponsibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

first comes play

A simple reordering of the original phrase.

play is the priority

Emphasizes that play should be given precedence over other activities.

amusement comes first

Similar to "playing comes first", directly prioritizing amusement.

fun takes precedence

Highlights the importance of enjoyment and recreation.

entertainment is foremost

Highlights the importance of entertainment.

leisure is paramount

Stresses that leisure time is of utmost importance.

relaxation is essential

Emphasizes the need for relaxation and downtime.

recreation before work

Inverts the typical order of work before play, focusing on the reverse.

pleasure before business

A variation that prioritizes pleasure over professional matters.

enjoyment is key

Underscores that finding pleasure in activities is essential.

FAQs

How can I use "playing comes first" in a sentence?

You can use "playing comes first" to emphasize the importance of leisure activities, such as, "In our family, "playing comes first", so we always schedule time for games and fun."

What is a good alternative to "playing comes first"?

Alternatives include "play is the priority" or "fun takes precedence", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "playing comes first"?

Yes, "playing comes first" is grammatically correct and functions as a statement prioritizing play.

In what situations is it appropriate to use the phrase "playing comes first"?

It's suitable in contexts where you want to advocate for balancing work and leisure, or where prioritizing enjoyment is beneficial, but avoid using it to justify neglecting serious duties.