rank first

USAGE SUMMARY

"rank first" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something is ranked at the highest level or position compared to similar items. For example, "In the competition, Sarah's team ranked first."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This helps the United States, among the world's highest-cost cotton producers, rank first in exports.

The New York Times

The Patriots are likely to get better, as they rank first in special teams DAVE.

The Guardian - Sport

Fox, however, did rank first in total viewers and among 18-to-49-year-olds.

The New York Times

Rice and Brown rank first (1,325) and fifth (899), respectively, in career catches.

The New York Times - Sports

The countries rank first, fifth and sixth, respectively, for rates of homicide globally.

The Guardian - Opinion

She is the first female musician to ever rank first on McAfee's list.

The Guardian - Music

The Tar Heels' 105 tournament wins rank first ahead of the Wildcats' 104.

The New York Times - Sports

We find that full border adjustments rank first in global cost-effectiveness, followed by import tariffs and output-based rebates.

Journal of Environmental Economics and Management

The results show that; Airport, Nir, Namin, Bilasavar, Firozabad and Ardabil were rank first to last respectively.

Energy Conversion and Management

Compared to workpiece velocity, the depth of cut was found to rank first in governing the two force components.

Journal of Materials Processing Technology

The Blues rank first in the N.H.L. in penalty-killing at home, having allowed just two power-play goals.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing across different datasets, ensure the basis for ranking is consistent. If criteria vary, clarify what metrics are being used.

Common error

Avoid using "rank first" without specifying the category or criteria for ranking. Instead of saying "This product ranks first", specify "This product ranks first in customer reviews."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rank first" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating that something occupies the highest position in a ranking or list. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's usability in English, with examples showcasing its wide application across different fields.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rank first" is a versatile verb phrase used to denote the top position in a ranking or list. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in English, with examples spanning across news, science, and business contexts. While grammatically straightforward and frequently used, ensure clear contextual information accompanies the phrase. Alternatives such as "be number one" and "lead the list" can be used for variety while maintaining semantic equivalence. Remember to always specify the criteria when using the phrase, i.e., ""ranks first" in customer satisfaction".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be in first place

Uses language commonly associated with competitive events.

be number one

Uses a more informal and direct expression for being at the top.

be the highest ranked

More explicit about the ranking aspect.

lead the list

Directly indicates topping a ranked list.

hold the top position

Emphasizes the act of maintaining the highest rank.

outrank all others

Emphasizes superiority over others in rank.

be classified first

Replaces "rank" with "be classified", focusing on categorization rather than order.

be at the forefront

Implies being in a leading position, either literally or figuratively.

be the top performer

Focuses on performance as the basis for ranking.

take precedence

Shifts focus to importance and priority rather than numerical ranking.

FAQs

How to use "rank first" in a sentence?

You can use "rank first" to indicate the top position in a list or ranking. For example, "Our company "ranks first" in customer satisfaction".

What can I say instead of "rank first"?

You can use alternatives like "be number one", "hold the top position", or "lead the list" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "rank first" or "ranked first"?

"Rank first" is typically used as a verb phrase, while "ranked first" is the past participle form, used in passive constructions or as an adjective. For example, "The team "ranks first"", and "The team that ranked first last year".

What's the difference between "rank first" and "take precedence"?

"Rank first" typically refers to a specific position in a ranked list or hierarchy, while "take precedence" implies a higher priority or importance. For example, "Safety "takes precedence" over speed" indicates priority, not necessarily a numerical ranking.