the first mentioned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the first mentioned" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the initial item or subject that was brought up in a discussion or text. Example: "In the report, the first mentioned issue was the lack of funding for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

The first mentioned feature allows taking into account additional concerns other than fault-tolerance, like for example load balancing and multithreading.

Information and Software Technology

The first mentioned Hotel is fiIll ot(s for its Motirta in-rooms, which give an excellent view over the river and the mount Salak.

Cornell University

The traditional accounts of the arrival of Panduvasudeva may portray a second wave of migration following the first mentioned in the Vijaya legend.

Britannica

The Court of Appeals ruled that the first mentioned of these, the so-called machine-or-transformation test, was the sole test to be used for determining the patentability of a "process" under the Patent Act, 35 U.S.C.

Harvard University

The first, mentioned briefly in our July 2016 post, was a KryoFlux forensic floppy controller, which allows archivists to create disk images from a variety of obsolete floppy disk formats.

Princeton University

As both Mr. Clinton's and Mr. Bush's uses of the phrase suggest, the ostensible reason for ascribing primacy to religion among constitutionally protected freedoms is its place as the first mentioned in the Bill of Rights.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Ordinary usage directs attention to the first-mentioned while virtually amputating the second.

The New York Times - Food

In the noisy living area, however, effects of temporary sound on mental tasks appeared to be quite different from the first-mentioned results.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Of these objections, then, the first-mentioned motion to opposites is not always the same and numerically one a correct statement; in fact, this may be said to be a necessary conclusion, provided that it is possible for the motion of that which is one and the same to be not always one and the same.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The first-mentioned three faults have high dip angles and right-lateral slip, and the last fault has a low dip angle and normal-dip right-lateral slip.

Earth, Planets and Space

The vast majority of factor reference gestures located the factors on the left-right axis (202/248, or 81%), most often with the first-mentioned factor on the left and the second-mentioned factor on the right.

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the first mentioned" to clearly distinguish between two or more items or ideas you've already introduced to avoid ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "the first mentioned" when simply indicating order or sequence. Instead, use ordinal numbers like "first", "second", or "third".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the first mentioned" functions as a determiner and adjective phrase. It specifies a particular item or idea out of a group that has been previously introduced. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

18%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "the first mentioned" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to refer back to the initial item in a sequence or discussion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves primarily to avoid ambiguity and maintain clarity, particularly in contexts such as scientific writing, news reporting, and academic discourse. While alternatives like "the former" exist, "the first mentioned" is versatile and appropriate when more than two items are under consideration. When writing, be mindful not to overuse it and to ensure that its usage adds genuine clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the former

Refers to the first of two things just mentioned.

the first of these

Highlights the initial item from a group.

initially stated

Focuses on the act of first declaring something.

previously cited

Emphasizes that it was referred to at an earlier stage.

the original

Denotes the initial item in a series.

the first in line

Specifies the first position in an order.

the opening

Refers to beginning or start.

the initial

Highlights the item as being the start of a series.

as mentioned before

Reiterates a previously stated point.

previously noted

Underscores that the item was observed earlier.

FAQs

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

Use "the first mentioned" to refer back to the initial item or idea that you introduced in a sequence or discussion. For example, "We discussed two options; "the first mentioned" was more feasible".

What are some alternatives to using "the first mentioned"?

You can use alternatives like "the former", "initially stated", or "previously cited" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "the first mentioned" or "the former"?

Both phrases can work, but "the former" is typically used when referring to the first of only two things, while "the first mentioned" can be used when discussing more than two items.

When should I avoid using "the first mentioned"?

Avoid using "the first mentioned" when it's unnecessary or redundant. If the context makes it clear which item you're referring to, a simpler reference might suffice.