the first hand

USAGE SUMMARY

"the first hand" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to something that is firsthand or seen or experienced directly. For example, "She listened to the story from the first hand and was surprised by the details she heard."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

The first hand transplant was carried out in Ecuador in 1964.

The New York Times

The first hand represents strength, the second stands for technology, and the third signifies labor.

The New York Times

When I was done, the first hand up – sharply so – belonged to this elderly person.

The Guardian

The first hand in the air belonged to Zasha Soto, whose interests were purely parochial.

The New York Times

"What do you got?" the president taunts them when the questioning session opens, and then calls on the first hand.

The Washington Post

Care's chip bounced away from Marshall and Jack Clifford was able to get the first hand to the ball.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Motorola produced the first hand-held mobile phone in 1973.

The New York Times - Tech

The first hand-powered sewing machines in the 19th century sewed 20 stitches per minute.

Britannica

One of the first hand-notated books she pointed out had come from the library of the poet Ted Hughes.

The New Yorker

They did not find commercial favour until 1966, when Mr Kilby used them to make the first hand-held calculator.

The Economist

"From the first hand-pull, it's original," he said at one of the entrance doors, pointing to its 1930s hardware.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When indicating sequence or order, ensure that the context supports the use of "the first hand" to avoid ambiguity. Be clear that you're not discussing someone's actual hand, but rather an event or action.

Common error

Avoid using "the first hand" in contexts where a literal interpretation of 'hand' could cause confusion. If your intention is to convey direct experience, ensure your phrasing clearly indicates this to avoid misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the first hand" primarily functions as a determiner phrase, often used to indicate the initial participant or action in a sequence or to denote a direct, personal experience. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Academia

6%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the first hand" is a versatile phrase primarily used to indicate the initial position in a sequence or direct experience. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used. It appears most frequently in news and media, as well as scientific contexts. When employing "the first hand", clarity is essential to prevent misinterpretations, particularly distinguishing it from "first-hand", which describes personal experience. Alternatives include "initial approach" or "primary source", depending on the context. While generally neutral, the register may shift to informal when describing personal experiences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the first instance

Focuses on the occurrence of something, rather than a physical element or person.

the initial approach

Emphasizes the beginning of an action or method, shifting focus from physicality to methodology.

the leading hand

Indicates a prominent or guiding role, rather than just being first in a sequence.

the original hand

Highlights authenticity or the source of origin, instead of sequence or order.

the primary source

Focuses on the origin of information, rather than a literal hand or action.

the foremost authority

Emphasizes expertise or knowledge, altering the context from a physical action.

the pioneering effort

Highlights innovative or exploratory aspects, differing from sequential order.

the maiden effort

Highlights the newness or novelty of an attempt, instead of the physical aspect.

the opening move

Refers to the start of a strategic action, differing from a literal hand.

the groundbreaking attempt

Emphasizes the innovative nature of a trial, not necessarily the order or sequence.

FAQs

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

You can use "the first hand" to describe having direct experience of something, as in, "I wanted to get "the first-hand experience" of volunteering".

What's the difference between "the first hand" and "first-hand"?

"The first hand" refers to a literal hand or the first in a sequence, while "first-hand" is an adjective meaning direct or from personal experience.

Can I use "the first hand" to describe the initial stage of a project?

While you can, it's more common to use phrases like "the initial stage" or "the beginning" to avoid potential confusion with the literal meaning of a hand.

What are some alternatives to "the first hand" when talking about information?

When referring to information, you can use phrases such as "primary source" or "direct account" to emphasize the origin of the data.