the early one

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the early one" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that occurred or was available earlier than other options or instances. Example: "I prefer the early one because it has a more classic design compared to the later versions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

"With all the flight disruption the late ferry on Thursday and the early one on Friday were fully booked," said Allen.

The Guardian - Sport

Most accounts of the war concentrate on the second phase, but the early one was more critical.

The Guardian - Books

"I had to go tell the counselor what she should do," he fumed, explaining why he was on the late bus, not the early one I expected.

Huffington Post

The late show is sold out; the early one, at 7 30, is a reasonable $20.

The New York Times

A lot of places are doing two sittings, with the early one being at a knock-down price.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Ms. Matyas immediately scheduled monthly sessions for Thursdays, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., the early one frequented by women of a certain age who don't like to go out after dark, the later one by working women.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

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

The New York Times - Arts

My results in the new study mirrored those of the earlier one on belief in God.

Huffington Post

Many of the early pictures weren't on videotape; the early ones were hard to come by anywhere.

The New Yorker

"The Early Ones" will be performed at the Independent Theatre in North Sydney on March 13 and 14, 2015.

Huffington Post

But the early ones were beautiful.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the early one", ensure the context clearly establishes what the 'early' refers to, preventing ambiguity. For example, "There are two meetings; I'll attend the early one."

Common error

Avoid using "the early one" when more specific terms like "the first version" or "the original model" would provide clearer and more precise information.

Linguistic Context

"The early one" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically as a noun phrase acting as a subject, object, or complement. It refers to a specific item or event that occurred or existed before others. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically sound and readily usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the early one" is a versatile phrase used to distinguish an initial item or event from subsequent ones. Ludwig confirms that the expression is grammatically correct and commonly used in a wide range of writing. Its function is primarily to differentiate and clarify, and its register is generally neutral, making it appropriate for various formal and informal contexts. Though common, be mindful of context; occasionally, a more precise term could better serve your clarity goals. Based on Ludwig's data, you can confidently use "the early one" to indicate precedence in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the initial version

Focuses on the idea of being the first developed or created.

the first iteration

Emphasizes that it is the first in a series of repeated processes.

the original edition

Highlights that this is the edition that was initially published.

the prototype

Implies that it is an experimental model, not yet fully developed.

the opening installment

Indicates the first part of a series or collection.

the preceding instance

Emphasizes that it happened before the current one.

the previous example

Highlights that this example came before the one being discussed.

the former case

Used when comparing two cases, this indicates the first one mentioned.

the nascent stage

Focuses on something being in its very early stages of development.

the dawn of

Highlights the beginning of an era, concept, or trend.

FAQs

How can I use "the early one" in a sentence?

You can use "the early one" to refer to the first of two or more things, like "I preferred "the early one" because it had a simpler design."

What are some alternatives to saying "the early one"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "the first one", "the initial one", or "the original one" instead of "the early one".

Is "the early one" grammatically correct?

Yes, "the early one" is grammatically correct and commonly used to refer to the first or earlier of a set of items or events.

What's the difference between "the early one" and "the earlier one"?

"The early one" is generally used when referring to the first in a sequence or a set of options. "The earlier one" can refer to something that happened before something else, but not necessarily the very first.