the earliest ones

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the earliest ones" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the first items or instances in a sequence or group. Example: "Among the artifacts discovered, the earliest ones date back to the 12th century."

✓ Grammatically correct

Archaeology, Ethnology and Anthropology of Eurasia

The New Yorker

The New York Times

The Guardian

Encyclopedia Britannica

Science Magazine

Forbes

TechCrunch

Huffington Post

SEP

Wikipedia

European Journal of Population

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica

AIDS and Behavior

Heritage Science

WikiHow

Boundary Value Problems

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Kurgans, mounds on the periphery of the burial grounds, and ritual roads – the earliest ones in Western Central Asia – are described in detail.

Archaeology, Ethnology and Anthropology of Eurasia

Even the earliest ones, the ones he later said he was embarrassed by.

The New Yorker

The earliest ones here are animated and show the influence of Schwitters.

The New York Times

The earliest ones said simply, "Our records indicate you have not yet sent your 1999 contribution".

The New York Times

The carriage roads there, the earliest ones, were built by grandfather.

The New York Times

The earliest ones, from the 1920s, show her determination in the face of all obstacles.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

Quite a few states have official dinosaurs or other official fossils--the earliest ones were petrified wood in North Dakota and the Nebraska mammoth, designated in 1967.

Science Magazine

The earliest one, on loan from the Brooklyn Museum, shows Princess Sobeknakht feeding her infant son.

The New York Times - Arts

The earliest one, numbered 5,132,992, was issued in 1992.

The New York Times

This mask is the earliest one discovered in an elite tomb in Palenque.

Heritage Science

List each activity, starting with the earliest one, and working your way through the hours of the day.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the earliest ones", ensure the context clearly establishes what group or sequence you're referring to. For instance, specify "the earliest ones" of a series, collection, or historical period for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "the earliest ones" without a clear reference to the items being discussed. Vague references can confuse readers; always provide a specific context.

Linguistic Context

The earliest ones functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to the initial items or instances within a specific group or category. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is both correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

26%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the earliest ones" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that identifies the initial items or instances within a group. As Ludwig confirms, its usage spans diverse contexts, from news media and scientific publications to encyclopedias. The phrase maintains a neutral register, suitable for both formal and informal settings. Remember to provide clear context when using "the earliest ones" to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "the initial ones" or "the first ones" can be used for semantic variation. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "the earliest ones" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the initial ones

Replaces 'earliest' with 'initial', emphasizing the starting point rather than the age.

the first ones

Uses 'first' instead of 'earliest', focusing on order rather than time.

the very first ones

Adds emphasis to the order, stressing they were absolutely the first.

the original ones

Emphasizes the origin or creation point of the items.

the most ancient ones

Focuses specifically on the age and antiquity of the items.

the pioneering ones

Highlights the innovative or exploratory nature of the first items.

the inaugural ones

Implies that these were the ones that started something.

the primeval ones

Suggests a connection to a very early or original state of something.

the nascent ones

Focuses on the early stages of development or existence.

the introductory ones

Highlights the role of these items as an introduction to something.

FAQs

How can I use "the earliest ones" in a sentence?

You can use "the earliest ones" to refer to the initial items or instances in a sequence or group. For example, "Among the artifacts discovered, the earliest ones date back to the 12th century."

What's a good alternative to "the earliest ones"?

Alternatives include "the initial ones", "the first ones", or "the original ones", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "the most earliest ones"?

No, "the most earliest ones" is redundant. "Earliest" already implies the superlative degree (most early), so using "most" in addition is unnecessary. Just use "the earliest ones".

What is the difference between "the earliest ones" and "the early ones"?

"The earliest ones" refers to the very first items or instances in a set, whereas "the early ones" simply refers to items or instances that are from an early period, but not necessarily the absolute first.