the very first thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the very first thing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that something is the most important or the primary item of a group or sequence. Example: "The very first thing I do when I wake up is make a cup of coffee."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This was the very first thing I did.

The Guardian

Well, the very first thing is be educated.

Harvard Business Review

The very first thing that I thought of was stability.

The New York Times - Arts

What's the very first thing you remember eating?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

What was the very first thing that occurred to you?

The Guardian - Film

The very first thing I want to do is to invite you to call me Shelly.

Yale University

He came in, the very first thing I looked at was how he walked.

The New York Times - Sports

What is the very first thing you think of when you hear the word Africa?

Independent

"The very first thing I thought was, I forgot to hook myself in?

The New York Times

The very first thing we did was to locate those plumes.

The New York Times - Science

The very first thing the driver said was that he was sorry.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When emphasizing the absolute priority of an action, use "the very first thing" to clearly signal its importance to your audience.

Common error

Avoid phrases like "absolutely the very first thing" as "absolutely" is often redundant and weakens the impact of "the very first thing".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the very first thing" functions as a nominal phrase that typically serves as a subject or object within a clause. It highlights the initial item or action in a sequence, emphasizing its priority or order, as shown in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

16%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Science

13%

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the very first thing" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to emphasize the priority or order of an action or thought. As shown by Ludwig, it's employed across diverse contexts, including news, academia, and informal communication. While generally neutral in tone, it can be made more formal by using alternatives like "the primary step" or "the first order of business". A key takeaway is to avoid redundant qualifiers to maintain the phrase's impact. Ludwig's AI analysis confirms the phrase's validity and widespread use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the initial action

Replaces "thing" with "action" focusing on the commencement of an activity.

the primary step

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

the foremost consideration

Emphasizes importance and replaces "thing" with "consideration".

the starting point

Highlights the origin or initiation of something, altering the structure.

the first order of business

A more formal way of indicating the highest priority.

the initial priority

Focuses on what should be addressed or done urgently at the start.

the very beginning

Highlights the start of a process with a shift in grammatical structure.

the prime concern

Highlights the main worry or problem at the start.

the preliminary measure

Focuses on actions done in preparation or to initiate a process.

the inaugural move

Suggests a formal beginning or the first in a series of actions.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "the very first thing" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "the primary step" or "the first order of business", depending on the context.

Is there a subtle difference between "the first thing" and "the very first thing"?

Yes, "the very first thing" emphasizes the importance or immediacy of the action or consideration more strongly than simply stating "the first thing".

Can "the very first thing" be used to describe an action or a thought?

Yes, "the very first thing" can be used to refer to both actions and thoughts. For example, "The very first thing I did was call my mother" (action) or "The very first thing I thought was how to solve the problem" (thought).

What are some common contexts where "the very first thing" is frequently used?

"The very first thing" is often used when providing instructions, narrating events in chronological order, or setting priorities in a task or project.