the first around

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the first around" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to refer to being the first in a particular context or situation, but it lacks clarity and specificity. Example: "He was the first around to finish the race, setting a new record."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

George Christman, 75, of Sea Cliff, who helped to organize the first Around Long Island Regatta in 1977, said: "This race is a crap shoot.

The New York Times

A further two smaller steps are visible at lower temperatures, the first (around 100°C) due to the loss of the small moisture content; the second, around 310 330°C, is characterized by a modest exothermic process as can be seen in several of the typical DTA curves in Figure 4.

Chemistry Central Journal

Questionnaires were administered by trained interviewers during the first (around week 12) and third trimester (around week 32), at delivery, and at 14 months, 4 years, and 7 years after birth to assess maternal and child health status, sociodemographic characteristics, maternal reproductive history, and other characteristics.

Environmental Health Perspectives

"We were the first around here to have cable," Mr. Coleman said.

The New York Times

The Olmecs, on the Gulf Coast, were the first, around 1300 B.C.

The New Yorker

The first, around 2.15am, destroyed an Isis armed truck that had fired on Kurdish peshmerga militia, who have long sought direct US aid.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

On Friday, check washingtonpost.com/travel for the first around-the-world installment from Reykjavik.

The Washington Post

Two of the four planes that set out on the first around-the-world flight, on April 6 , 1924 completed the trip on September 28.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A flight in March 1999 with Dr. Bertrand Piccard of Switzerland and Brian Jones of England as the pilots was the first around-the-world balloon trip, landing in Egypt after flying for 19 days and more than 29,000 miles over China, the Pacific Ocean and the United States.

The New York Times

Because of Fairbanks' location halfway between New York City and Tokyo, it became a crucial stop on the first around-the-world flights.

Wikipedia

In 1965, in what may have been the first around-the-world networking connection, a PDP-6 at the University of Western Australia in Perth was operated from Boston in the United States via a telex link.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, replace "the first around" with more precise alternatives like "the first to arrive", "the first in the area", or "the first to complete" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "the first around" when a more specific phrase would enhance clarity. This construction can be vague; specifying the action or location provides better context and prevents misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the first around" functions as a descriptive element, often attempting to specify a position or order in relation to a particular event or location. However, as Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is not correct and lacks clarity in written English, leading to potential ambiguity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Academia

12%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "the first around" is used across various contexts, including news, science, and general information. However, Ludwig AI identifies that it is not correct, which is a significant issue for clarity and precision in writing. While the phrase attempts to convey precedence or proximity, its ambiguity often necessitates the use of more specific alternatives such as "the first to arrive" or "the first in the area". Therefore, while somewhat common, writers should exercise caution and opt for clearer expressions to avoid misinterpretation and ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the first to circle

This highlights the act of encircling something, a more specific movement than being merely "around".

the initial circumnavigation

This focuses on the act of circling or navigating completely, differing from simply being "around".

the first to be present

Focuses on being the initial presence rather than implying circular movement or location.

the original in the area

This alternative emphasizes originality or initial presence within a specific area.

the pioneer nearby

Replaces "first" with "pioneer" to denote being the first in a location while retaining the sense of proximity with "nearby".

the foremost in the vicinity

Replaces "first" and "around" with synonyms to convey the idea of being prominent in a local area.

the first to be close

Highlights proximity by focusing on the act of being close, which differs from being merely "around".

the earliest surrounding

This alternative denotes the temporal precedence in encircling or being situated around something.

the leading one present

Emphasizes leadership or precedence in a given location, differing from mere proximity.

the primary one nearby

Synonymous replacement, emphasizes the concept of being the first or most important while also being close in proximity.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "the first around" that provide more clarity?

You can use alternatives like "the first to arrive", "the first in the area", or "the first to complete" depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is "the first around" grammatically correct?

While sometimes used colloquially, "the first around" can be grammatically ambiguous. It's often better to use a more precise phrase to ensure clarity.

How can I use "the first around" in a sentence without causing confusion?

To use it effectively, ensure the context makes the meaning clear. However, consider if a more specific phrase would eliminate potential ambiguity and better serve your writing.

What's the difference between "the first around" and "the first to arrive"?

"The first around" is a more general and potentially ambiguous phrase, while "the first to arrive" is clearer and specifies the action of arriving. Using the latter reduces the chance of misinterpretation.