seek first place

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seek first place" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing the desire or intention to achieve the top position or rank in a competition or context. Example: "In this tournament, our team aims to seek first place and prove our skills against the best."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

In a battle of division leaders seeking first place overall in Major League Soccer, it was perhaps fitting that the MetroStars and the Kansas City Wizards fought to a scoreless tie tonight before a crowd of 16,898 at drizzly Giants Stadium.

The New York Times - Sports

We sought in first place to assess whether the development of hippocampal progenitor cells is dependent on PC3/Tis21 expression.

Plosone

35 Aside from publicly available information, public scrutiny often manifests in patients seeking second opinions 6 as took place with several patients interviewed in this study.

BMJ Open

Why was the additional legal guidance sought in the first place?

The Washington Post

Also, can it hammer out a deal — of the kind Morsi should have sought in the first place — to ensure that the drafting of the constitution can continue without interruption?

The New York Times

It is only partly true to say that the mainstream press has ignored these releases; what's more significant is that its attention and approval were never sought in the first place.

The Guardian - Film

If you feel that reading a competitor's application will lead you to change your scientific goals, then you should decline; otherwise, you should review the application, which may be the reason that your expertise was sought in the first place.

Science Magazine

The recognition of the importance of human qualities in promoting economic growth, he asserts, "tells us nothing about why economic growth is sought in the first place".

Huffington Post

By trying to force a certain outcome, I limit many other possibilities which could be awesome and bring what I was seeking in the first place.

Huffington Post

When ThinkImpact, a provider of social innovation immersion programs for college students in Africa and Latin America, became a B Corp in 2012, it discovered not only the benchmarking system for sustainable practices that it sought in the first place, but also instant trust.

Huffington Post

There's much to be said for meeting someone in the middle if both leave believing they obtained a reasonable portion of what they sought in the first place.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "seek first place", ensure the context clearly defines what constitutes "first place". This provides clarity and emphasizes the importance of the goal.

Common error

Avoid using "seek first place" in situations where collaboration or shared success is more appropriate than direct competition. Overemphasizing individual achievement can undermine teamwork.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seek first place" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing a purpose or goal. The examples Ludwig provides illustrate its use in contexts where aiming for the highest achievement is emphasized.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "seek first place" is grammatically correct and communicates a clear intention to achieve the top position. While Ludwig indicates that it's grammatically correct, its usage is relatively rare, primarily appearing in news and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, it's essential to ensure the context clearly defines what "first place" entails to avoid ambiguity. While there are numerous alternatives, such as "aim for the top spot" or "strive for preeminence", "seek first place" effectively conveys a commitment to striving for excellence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aspire to first position

This variation uses "aspire" suggesting a high level of ambition to reach the top.

make it a priority to be first

Emphasizes the importance and prioritization of being in the leading position.

aim for the top spot

This alternative uses "top spot" instead of "first place", implying a competitive goal.

target the highest rank

Uses "target" to convey a focused effort on achieving the best possible rank.

pursue the leading position

This variation emphasizes the active pursuit of a top rank.

seek top honors

Uses "top honors" to imply a distinguished reward for achieving first place.

endeavor to be number one

Implies striving diligently to reach the top rank.

strive for preeminence

This suggests aiming for a position of superior excellence and distinction, rather than just a ranking.

focus on winning first prize

Specifically highlights winning as the primary goal and uses "first prize" instead of "first place".

prioritize achieving the primary objective

This focuses on the importance of achieving key goals before others.

FAQs

How can I use "seek first place" in a sentence?

You can use "seek first place" to express the intention to achieve the top position. For example, "In this tournament, our team aims to "seek first place" and demonstrate our abilities."

What is an alternative to "seek first place"?

Alternatives to "seek first place" include phrases like "aim for the top spot" or "strive for preeminence", depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to "seek first place"?

While striving for excellence is admirable, it is important to consider whether a collaborative approach might be more beneficial in certain situations. /s/Prioritizing+collaboration can sometimes yield better results.

What's the difference between "seek first place" and "settle for second best"?

"Seek first place" implies a proactive effort to achieve the highest rank, while "settle for second best" suggests accepting a lower rank without striving for more.