the first time this happened

USAGE SUMMARY

"the first time this happened" is a correct and usable expression in written English.
You can use it to refer to the first time an event, action or experience took place. For example: "I still remember the first time this happened - my teacher walked into the classroom with a puppy in her arms."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

The first time this happened, I jumped up and apologized.

The New York Times

This is not the first time this happened to Mr. Guggenheim.

The New York Times

The first time this happened I made an exaggerated yawning gesture and pushed him away.

The Guardian

The first time this happened was in May 1969, before a visit by Richard M. Nixon.

The New York Times

The first time this happened to me, I was genuinely astonished.

The Guardian - Opinion

The first time this happened, in 2011, Weiner resigned from Congress and the public forgave him.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

The first time this happens, the effect is rather neat.

The New Yorker

The first time this happens, it's admittedly rather funny.

The Guardian - Tech

While there's an undeniable gee-whiz moment the first time this happens, you quickly start wondering why the relevant icons aren't just displayed all the time.

The New York Times

Whenever we park, they leap out and bark: "Your papers!" The first time this happens is when we stop for lunch at Margarites.

Independent

The first time this happens, it's forgiven for sure.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use past tense consistently throughout the sentence when describing the event that occurred 'the first time'.

Common error

A common mistake is shifting tenses within the same sentence when using "the first time this happened". For example, avoid mixing past and present tenses like "The first time this happened, I am feeling scared"; instead, maintain consistency with "The first time this happened, I felt scared".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the first time this happened" functions as an adverbial phrase, specifying when an event occurred. Ludwig provides many examples of its usage, often introducing a narrative or recounting a personal experience.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the first time this happened" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe an initial event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as an adverbial phrase, providing temporal context in various situations and is found most frequently in news and media. When writing, ensure the context clarifies what "this" refers to, and maintain consistent verb tenses. Alternatives include "the initial instance of this occurring" or "when it first happened". Remember to use this phrase in a clear and grammatically sound manner to effectively communicate the sequence of events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the initial instance of this occurring

Replaces common words with more formal synonyms, altering the tone.

the inaugural time this transpired

Replaces common words with more elevated vocabulary, indicating a formal context.

the first occasion on which this took place

Uses more formal and elaborate wording to express the same concept.

the very first instance of this event

Adds emphasis using "very" and clarifies with "event", giving a slightly different nuance.

the debut of this occurrence

Employs "debut" and "occurrence" for a more sophisticated tone.

the moment it initially occurred

Emphasizes the specific point in time when the event began.

the genesis of this situation

Uses "genesis" to highlight the origin or beginning of the situation.

the first episode of this happening

Substitutes "time" with "episode", suggesting a recurring event.

when it first happened

Shortens the phrase to a more concise and direct version.

initially, when this occurred

Inverts the sentence structure to place emphasis on the initial state.

FAQs

How can I use "the first time this happened" in a sentence?

You can use "the first time this happened" to describe an initial experience or event. For example, "The first time this happened, I was completely unprepared."

What are some alternatives to "the first time this happened"?

Alternatives include "the initial instance of this occurring", "the first occasion on which this took place", or "when it first happened", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "the first time this was happened"?

No, "the first time this was happened" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "the first time this happened". The auxiliary verb "was" is unnecessary and disrupts the simple past tense structure.

Can "the first time this happened" refer to a positive or negative event?

"The first time this happened" can be used for both positive and negative events. The context determines the nature of the experience. For instance, "The first time this happened, I won an award" (positive) versus "The first time this happened, I failed the test" (negative).