the first thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'the first thing' is correct and is used frequently in written English.
You can use it when referring to the first item out of a list or sequence of items. For example: "The first thing I did when I got home was make a cup of tea."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's the first thing.

The New York Times

So that's the first thing.

The New York Times

The first thing is attitudes.

Independent

Cereal was the first thing to go.

The New York Times

He is dark, the first thing.

The New Yorker

Is it the first thing you consider?

The New York Times

That's the first thing we do.

The New York Times

This is the first thing I tried.

The New York Times

THE BAR The first thing you see.

The New York Times

They were the first thing Miranda noticed.

The New Yorker

The first thing Lieut.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When listing a series of actions or points, use "the first thing" to clearly indicate the beginning of the sequence. For example: "The first thing to do is gather all necessary materials."

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "the first thing" as it can sound repetitive. Vary your sentence structure by using alternatives such as "initially", "to begin with", or simply stating the action directly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the first thing" functions as a discourse marker to signal the beginning of a sequence of actions, points, or considerations. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Academia

25%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the first thing" is a versatile phrase used to highlight the initial point in a sequence or discussion. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that it is grammatically correct and commonly used across a variety of contexts, including News & Media and Academia. While it's a useful phrase, remember to avoid overuse and consider alternatives like "initially" or "to begin with" to maintain variety in your writing. Paying attention to source authority and grammatical correctness will further enhance the quality of your communication. Also, as the extracted information suggests, this phrase is quite common so using it in excess can reduce the elegance of the writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the first priority

Emphasizes what should be dealt with or considered before anything else.

the initial step

Replaces "thing" with "step", emphasizing the beginning of a process.

to begin with

A common introductory phrase indicating the start of a discussion or action.

the starting point

Refers to the origin or beginning of something.

the primary concern

Focuses on the most important aspect to consider initially.

the foremost aspect

Highlights the leading or most important element.

the immediate focus

Highlights what requires attention right away.

initially

An adverb denoting what happens or is considered at the beginning.

the preliminary action

Describes the first action taken in a series.

at the outset

Indicates the beginning or commencement of something.

FAQs

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

Use "the first thing" to introduce the initial action, consideration, or item in a sequence. For example, "The first thing I do in the morning is check my email".

What can I say instead of "the first thing"?

You can use alternatives like "initially", "to begin with", or "the primary concern" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "first thing is" or "the first thing is"?

While both phrases are used, "the first thing is" is generally considered more grammatically correct and complete.

What's the difference between "the first thing" and "the first step"?

"The first thing" is a general phrase referring to any initial item or action, while "the first step" specifically implies the initial action in a process or procedure.