the first being that

USAGE SUMMARY

"the first being that" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to introduce a list or series of reasons or factors, with the phrase indicating that the following statement is the first reason or factor. For example: "The company decided to restructure their teams for several reasons, the first being that they wanted to improve communication and collaboration among departments." In this sentence, "the first being that" introduces the first reason for the company's decision to restructure their teams.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The first being that paid subscriptions is exactly how lending libraries started out.

Forbes

He remarks that "something no more partakes of actual existence except insofar as it adheres to the first being that is all at once" (Dales 1963a, 96 97).

SEP

I'm interested in two things about this cake, the first being that it looks congealed, the second being that Luke appears to have done the GCSE Food Technology thing of covering up the problem with fruit.

Vice

Gere agreed to guest star under two conditions, the first being that Buddhism should be portrayed accurately, and his second and strongest request being that Lisa should say "Free Tibet" in the episode.

Wikipedia

The first being that there should be evidence of at least two demyelinating lesions in the CNS that are separated both spatially and temporally.

Acta neuropathologica communications

The Ten Commandments (1923) has two stories, the first being that of the Exodus and the second being about a conflict in modern times between two brothers, one who is a Christian and the other who rejects religion.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"There's a couple things that bother me about it, the first being that they seem to be altering work conditions without any approval from the players," Hunter said.

The New York Times - Sports

Two aspects of this definition are critical, the first being that "the obligation must be voluntarily adopted; behaviour influenced by the coercive forces of law or union contract is not voluntary.

International Journal of Corporate Social Responsibility

The first being that you have to be a genius to code.

Huffington Post

The first being that the amount of energy being used here (assuming those estimates are correct) is simply trivial.

Forbes

The Guideshops are brilliant for a number of reasons, the first being that every customer feels like they're being given VIP treatment.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When listing multiple reasons, ensure you follow "the first being that" with subsequent points introduced by phrases like "the second being that" or "secondly" for clarity and coherence.

Common error

Avoid mixing enumeration styles; if you begin with "the first being that", don't switch to "secondly" without a corresponding structure. Maintain consistency for clear communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the first being that" functions as an introductory enumerative connector. It signals the start of a list of reasons or factors, highlighting that the following explanation is the initial point. As Ludwig AI explains, this phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the first being that" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, serving as an introductory element to enumerate a series of reasons or factors. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely accepted and correctly utilized in various contexts, from news and media to scientific and academic writing. It's essential to maintain consistency in enumeration style and ensure clarity when presenting multiple points.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the primary reason is

Highlights the cause-and-effect relationship.

the main point is

Draws attention to the central argument.

the initial consideration is

Signals a thoughtful examination of the first factor.

first and foremost

Emphasizes priority and importance, rather than just sequence.

firstly

Provides a straightforward and formal enumeration.

to begin with

Offers a more informal start to a list of points.

in the first place

Implies a fundamental or foundational aspect.

initially

Focuses on the temporal aspect of the first point.

chiefly

Indicates the main or most important reason.

principally

Highlights a leading or governing factor.

FAQs

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

Use "the first being that" to introduce the initial point in a series of reasons or explanations. For example, "There are several reasons to consider this proposal, the first being that it aligns with our company's long-term goals."

What phrases are similar to "the first being that"?

Similar phrases include "first and foremost", "to begin with", or "the primary reason is", depending on the context and the level of formality required.

Is it grammatically correct to say "the first being that"?

Yes, "the first being that" is grammatically correct and commonly used to introduce the first item in a list of reasons or factors.

What's the difference between "the first being that" and "firstly"?

"The first being that" is typically used when you're about to provide a more detailed explanation as the first point, while "firstly" is a more direct and formal way to enumerate a list.