the firsts steps

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the firsts steps" is not correct.
The correct phrase is "the first steps." You can use it in written English whenever you are referring to the initial or earliest steps taken in a process or journey. For example, "Beginning a new career can be daunting, but taking the first steps can make all the difference."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Critical Care

Harvard University

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Dr B The firsts steps in the care of patients like this should be very systematic.

Critical Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The first steps?

Harvard University

It's one of the first steps".

The New York Times - Science

These are just the first steps.

The New York Times

My generation will see the first steps".

The New Yorker

The first steps, first everything.

Huffington Post

Take the first steps to swimming.

WikiHow

The third step is calculating.

The New York Times

The first step was barter.

The New York Times

Admission is the first step!

The New York Times

The fourth step was the conclusion.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the correct grammatical form "the first steps" when referring to the initial actions in a process or journey.

Common error

Avoid adding an unnecessary 's' to "first" when referring to the initial actions. The correct form is "the first steps", not "the firsts steps".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the firsts steps" is an incorrect adjectival phrase intended to modify a noun. The intended meaning is to indicate the initial actions or stages in a process. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, the grammatically correct form is "the first steps".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "the firsts steps" is a grammatically incorrect attempt to describe initial actions or stages. As Ludwig AI points out, the correct form is "the first steps". While the intended purpose is to highlight the beginning of a process, the incorrect grammar undermines its effectiveness. To ensure clarity and credibility, always use the grammatically correct form. Related alternatives include "the initial steps" and "the preliminary steps". Predominantly found in news, scientific, and academic contexts, using the correct form will maintain a professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

The initial steps

Replaces "firsts" with "initial", correcting the grammatical error while maintaining the meaning of the beginning stages.

The preliminary steps

Substitutes "firsts" with "preliminary", emphasizing the preparatory nature of the steps.

The opening moves

Uses a more metaphorical term, "moves", to suggest the beginning of an action or strategy.

The starting points

Replaces "steps" with "points", highlighting the initial locations or ideas from which to proceed.

The nascent stages

Employs "nascent stages" to convey the idea of newly emerging phases.

The introductory phase

Focuses on the initial period or phase of a process.

The basic steps

Highlights the fundamental or essential nature of the initial actions.

The elementary procedures

Uses more formal language to refer to the initial actions.

The kickoff

Employs a more informal term, "kickoff", suggesting the start of an activity.

The get-go

Utilizes a colloquial expression, "get-go", to indicate the very beginning.

FAQs

What's the correct way to say "the firsts steps"?

The correct phrase is "the first steps". The term "firsts" is not used as an adjective in this context.

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

You can use "the first steps" to describe the beginning of a process. For example, "The first steps in learning a language are often the most challenging."

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

Alternatives include "the initial steps", "the preliminary steps", or "the opening moves" depending on the context.

Is "the firsts steps" ever correct?

No, "the firsts steps" is not grammatically correct. The correct form is always "the first steps".