the first are

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the first are" is not correct and cannot be used in written English.
To make a sentence out of it, you could say "The first are the most important."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The first are political consequences.

Stanford University

## everything but the first are ignored.

Harvard University

The first are part-time students.

The Guardian

"The first are docile and miserable people...

The New Yorker

The first are to leave on Thursday.

The New York Times

The first are the "smart" girls.

The New York Times

The first are already under construction.

The Guardian

The first are to arrive in 2002.

The New York Times

The first are the winter-flowering plants.

The Guardian - Opinion

The first are the type who are blind from birth.

The Guardian

The first are CDOs, or collateralised debt obligations.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When introducing a list, ensure subject-verb agreement. Instead of "The first are", consider using "The first is" if referring to a singular item, or rephrase to "The first ones are" or "The first are..." followed by a plural noun.

Common error

Avoid using "the first are" without a clear plural noun following it, as this leads to grammatical errors. For example, instead of writing 'The first are important', specify 'The first steps are important' or 'The first considerations are crucial'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the first are" typically serves as an introductory element in a sentence, aiming to enumerate or classify items. Ludwig AI flags it as grammatically incorrect, because subject-verb disagreement frequently arises when the phrase is used without careful attention to the subsequent plural noun. However, it is widely used as Ludwig examples show.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Academia

26%

Science

24%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "the first are" is commonly used across various contexts, including news, academia, and science, it is often flagged as grammatically incorrect due to potential subject-verb disagreement. Ludwig AI underscores this point. To ensure clarity and precision in writing, it's advisable to consider alternatives such as "The first ones are", "Firstly, there are", or rephrasing the sentence to avoid ambiguity. The choice of alternative depends on the specific context and the desired level of formality. By paying attention to grammatical correctness and choosing appropriate phrasing, you can enhance the clarity and credibility of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the first ones are

Slightly emphasizes that multiple items are being referred to.

firstly, there are

Adds a formal tone and explicitly marks the beginning of a list.

the initial ones consist of

More formal and precise, specifying composition rather than simple existence.

to begin with, there are

Indicates the start of a discussion or enumeration.

initially, we have

Emphasizes the temporal aspect of starting something, like a list or process.

the primary examples include

Focuses on providing leading examples as an initial point.

first off, we find

A more casual way to start listing or identifying items.

the foremost of these are

Highlights importance and order simultaneously.

chief among these are

Stresses the prominence of certain items over others.

in the first category are

Specifies that the items belong to a defined grouping.

FAQs

How can I correct the grammar of the phrase "the first are"?

To correct "the first are", ensure subject-verb agreement. Use "the first is" if referring to a singular item, or rephrase to "The first ones are". Examples of correct usages: "The first step is crucial", or "The first examples are illustrative".

What's a more formal way to say "the first are"?

For a more formal tone, consider phrases like "Firstly, there are", "The initial ones consist of", or "To begin with, there are". These options provide a clearer and more structured introduction to a list or explanation.

What can I say instead of "the first are" when giving examples?

When providing examples, alternatives to "the first are" include "The primary examples include", or "Chief among these are". These phrases emphasize the importance or representativeness of the examples you're presenting.

Is "the first are" always grammatically incorrect?

While commonly used, "the first are" is generally grammatically incorrect unless immediately followed by a plural noun or pronoun. Consider replacing it with alternatives like "The first ones are" or restructuring the sentence for better clarity and grammatical accuracy.