the first prize

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the first prize" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when discussing any type of award or contest in which there is only one first-place prize. For example, "The winner of the drawing will receive the first prize—an all-expenses-paid vacation to Hawaii!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The first prize was not awarded.

Yale University

In case nobody noticed the first prize, I suppose.

The Guardian - Sport

There he won the first prize for sculpture.

The Guardian

The plan is to bestow the first prize this autumn.

The New York Times

That really was like winning the first prize in life.

The Guardian - Opinion

This air compressor was awarded the first prize in the Product Project category in the ECODESIGN Award – FIESP/CIESP 2004.

Journal of Cleaner Production

The first Prize was awarded to Emil Adolph von Behring in recognition of his studies on diphtheria.

Educación Médica

The first Prize for Literature didn't go to Leo Tolstoy but to poet Sully Prudhomme.

Independent

For some reason the first prize was only $24,000, whereas second was still $18,000.

The New York Times

The first prize will be $3,000, the second $1,500, and the third $750.

Harvard University

The live demonstration was successful and the committee awarded the SACL team the first prize!

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "the first prize" when you are referring to an official contest or award, using 'first place' for informal scenarios.

Common error

Avoid redundancy by not preceding "the first prize" with other ordinal indicators like 'the number one first prize'. Simply stating "the first prize" is sufficient.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the first prize" primarily functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It identifies the top award in a competition, contest, or other form of achievement-based activity. As shown in Ludwig's examples, it commonly denotes something highly desirable or valuable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Academia

22%

Science

17%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the first prize" is a versatile and frequently used noun phrase that signifies the highest honor or reward in a competitive context. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, spanning from News & Media to Academia. When writing, it's essential to ensure clarity and avoid redundancy by using it in its concise form. Considering alternatives like "the top award" can add variety to your expression. By understanding its function, purpose, and register, writers can effectively convey the significance of achieving the pinnacle of success in any endeavor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the top award

Replaces "prize" with "award", suggesting a formal recognition of achievement.

the grand reward

Substitutes "first" and "prize" with "grand" and "reward" for greater emphasis on significance.

the winning honor

Replaces "prize" with "honor", highlighting the prestige associated with winning.

the ultimate accolade

Uses "ultimate" to emphasize the highest level of achievement and replaces "prize" with "accolade" to imply formal recognition.

the foremost distinction

Substitutes "first" with "foremost" and "prize" with "distinction", conveying a sense of importance and uniqueness.

the premier recognition

Replaces "first" and "prize" with "premier" and "recognition" emphasizing the top-tier status.

the initial benefit

Shifts the focus to the tangible advantage gained from winning.

the primary advantage

Highlights the key gain or edge obtained through victory.

the foremost triumph

Emphasizes the victory aspect using a more dramatic term.

the leading achievement

Focuses on the accomplishment itself, rather than the reward.

FAQs

How do I use "the first prize" in a sentence?

Use "the first prize" to refer to the top award in a competition or contest. For example, "She won "the first prize" in the art competition for her innovative sculpture".

What are some alternatives to saying "the first prize"?

You can use alternatives such as "the top award", "the grand reward", or "the winning honor" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the first place prize"?

While understandable, "the first place prize" is somewhat redundant. It's better to simply say ""the first prize"" or "first place".

What is the difference between ""the first prize"" and "the grand prize"?

While similar, "the grand prize" often implies a more significant or prestigious award compared to ""the first prize"", which can refer to any top award.