the first

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the first" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the initial item in a sequence or the earliest occurrence of something. Example: "She was the first to arrive at the meeting, setting a positive tone for the discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The second?

Forbes

The first thought engendered the first afterthought.

The New Yorker

The first word produced the first pun.

The New Yorker

The first attempt failed.

The New York Times

The first is immediacy.

The Economist

That's the first disc.

The New York Times - Arts

asked the first girl.

The New Yorker

The first is time.

The Economist

The first lesson?

The New York Times

The first is demographic.

The Economist

The first is Congress.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the first" in a list, ensure subsequent items are clearly enumerated (e.g., "the second", "the third") for clarity.

Common error

Avoid redundancy by not combining "the first" with other ordinal indicators. For example, instead of saying "the first 1st", use either "the first" or "the 1st".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the first" primarily functions as a determiner followed by a noun or a pronoun, specifying the initial element in a sequence, series, or ranking. Ludwig examples shows its versatility in marking beginnings or highlighting priority. This aligns with Ludwig AI indicating the correctness and usability of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Wiki

19%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the first" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to denote the initial element in a sequence or to emphasize precedence. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and broad usability. It appears frequently in news, media, and wiki contexts, with a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using "the first", ensure clarity by enumerating subsequent items and avoiding redundancy with other ordinal indicators. Consider using alternatives such as "initially" or "the initial" for variety. The phrase's function, as highlighted by Ludwig's examples, is to clearly indicate the beginning or most important element.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

firstly

Functions as an adverb to introduce the first point in a list or sequence.

the initial

Highlights the commencement or starting point.

initially

Focuses on the beginning stage or phase of an event or process.

the primary

Emphasizes the importance or main aspect of something, rather than just its position.

in the beginning

Stresses the temporal aspect of being at the start of something.

at the outset

Highlights the very beginning or commencement of an endeavor.

to begin with

Indicates the starting point in a series of actions or arguments.

to start with

Similar to 'to begin with', used to introduce the first item or action.

the leading

Indicates being at the forefront or ahead of others in a competitive context.

the foremost

Emphasizes being the most important or prominent.

FAQs

How can I use "the first" in a sentence?

"The first" can be used to denote the initial item in a sequence, such as "She was "the first to arrive" at the party" or "This is "the first time" I've tried sushi".

What are some alternatives to using "the first"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "initially", "the primary", or "the initial".

Is it correct to say "the first one"?

Yes, "the first one" is grammatically correct and often used for emphasis or clarity, especially when referring to a specific item from a group. For example, "Which apple do you want? The first one or the second one?"

When should I use "firstly" instead of "the first"?

"Firstly" is used as an adverb to introduce the first point in a list of arguments or reasons. For example, "Firstly, we need to gather data. Secondly, we analyze it.". "The first", on the other hand, is used to identify the first item in a sequence or a particular time.