secondly

USAGE SUMMARY

The word “secondly”is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to introduce the second point in a list of reasons or ideas. For example: Firstly, I think this plan is too risky. Secondly, I don’t think we have enough resources to implement it.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Secondly, for users who do breach the company's terms of service, a new tier of sanction has been introduced.

The Guardian - Tech

Secondly, he must deliver the radical management changes he's promised.

The Guardian

Secondly, and most importantly, the main idea embedded in your new network presents the former Soviet space as [a] somewhat homogeneous region today.

The Guardian - Opinion

Secondly, the broadcasters and regulator have come to an unsatisfactory conclusion because they refuse to recognise the multinational nature of the British state.

The Guardian - Opinion

The authors start with ghosts, firstly explaining that the "cold chills" often experienced in haunted houses are actually just a result of poor insulation (no EU building regs in the olden days), and secondly noting the rather amusing paradox that ghosts are often portrayed as walking, despite having no physical body.

The Guardian

Secondly, Ukip's organisation was appalling until Farage and his allies took a grip and set up viable structures.

The Guardian

Secondly, you needed to save what was then a huge sum of money; a new Zaphorozhets cost the equivalent of about 30 times the average monthly salary.

The Guardian

"Normally you've got a subsidiary, so you can nearly always go through the courts of the local place where it all took place,' says Day. "The problems are firstly that you have to find the costs, secondly the process will take many years and third is corruption".

The Guardian

"Let's remember that, firstly, on the ground there's enormous support; secondly, it's entirely voluntary and up to school boards whether they participate; and thirdly, the high court was not against the chaplaincy program but did say that Labor's funding mechanism was not acceptable so the prime minister has indicated that we will take steps to redress this".

The Guardian

Secondly, with the old Press Complaints Commission's pledge of swift decision-making in mind, I wonder why it took so long to reach this adjudication on what appears to be an open-and-shut case.

The Guardian

Secondly, he's just as interested in his clients' love lives as their training schedule.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When listing multiple points, ensure consistency by using "firstly", "secondly", "thirdly", and so on, to maintain a formal and structured approach.

Common error

Avoid mixing ordinal indicators like "first", "second", and "third" with adverbs like "secondly". Choose one style and maintain it consistently throughout your writing.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "secondly" is as a conjunctive adverb. It serves to connect ideas, indicating the second point in a sequence of arguments or considerations. Ludwig AI confirms its use in introducing subsequent points.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "secondly" is a conjunctive adverb used to introduce the second point in a series. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage. It’s most commonly found in news and formal business contexts, providing structure and clarity. When using "secondly", ensure consistency in numbering and consider alternatives like "in the second place" or "next" to vary your writing. Using "secondly" properly aids in organizing information logically and presenting arguments effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the second place

This alternative is a more formal and explicit way of indicating the second point.

next

This alternative provides a simpler and more direct transition to the subsequent point.

furthermore

This alternative adds an additional point that supports the previous statement, similar to "secondly".

in addition

This alternative is less specific than "secondly" but introduces another point.

moreover

This alternative is slightly more formal, indicating an additional point of significance.

to add to that

This alternative emphasizes the addition of a new point to the ongoing discussion.

on top of that

This alternative indicates an additional point, often implying that it is adding to something already significant.

subsequently

This alternative indicates that the point follows in time or sequence.

following that

This alternative clearly indicates that what comes next is following what was previously mentioned.

as a follow-up

This alternative emphasizes the point being made is a direct response to something already mentioned.

FAQs

How is "secondly" used in a sentence?

"Secondly" is used to introduce the second point or argument in a series. For example, "Firstly, the budget is too high. "Secondly", the timeline is unrealistic".

What are some alternatives to using "secondly"?

You can use alternatives like "in the second place", "next", or "furthermore" depending on the context. Each alternative provides a slightly different nuance to the transition.

Is it necessary to use "firstly" if I am using "secondly"?

While not strictly necessary, using "firstly" before "secondly" provides a clearer structure to your argument or list. It improves readability, especially when presenting multiple points.

What's the difference between "second" and "secondly"?

"Second" is an ordinal number or a unit of time, while "secondly" is an adverb used to introduce the second point in a series. For example, "This is my second attempt", versus "Firstly, the cost is high; secondly, the benefits are unclear".