this is a first time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this is a first time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is happening for the first time in a particular context or situation. Example: "This is a first time for me trying sushi, and I'm excited to see how it tastes."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

For most this is a first time job – they come to me with no experience.

The Guardian - Business

This is a first time that thorough comparison is carried out on the same instrument for amino acid derivatization reagents.

Journal of Chromatography B

This is a first time morphometric investigation into 65 shrunken heads from South America, comprising 6 ceremonial tsantsa, 36 commercial heads, and 23 ambiguous heads.

Journal of Cultural Heritage

This is a first time report on the extraction of keratin (HK) from bovine horn and its use in the preparation of a composite biosheet by blending with chitosan (CH).

Materials Letters

This is a first time to verify that the filament is constructed by Hf element in HfOx RRAM through the discussion of physical mechanisms during reset process.

Nanoscale Research Letters

This is a first time feature with brilliant reviews from British director Rungano Nyoni with looks set to push her into fame within arthouse circles.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

And this was a first time I will definitely have to remember.

Huffington Post

The results indicate that puberty was associated with the onset of back pain, but whether this was a first time onset or a recurring event is not known.

Chiropractic and Manual Therapies

"This is a first-time effort," he said.

The New York Times

This is a first-time film from a respected, but essentially cult comedian, with no real big-name stars and a premise that is anathema to most of middle America.

The Guardian - Film

If this is a first-time issue, change the subject.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this is a first time" when emphasizing the novelty or initial nature of an event or experience. Ensure the context clearly indicates what is happening for the first time.

Common error

Avoid using "this is a first time" without specifying what is new or unique about the situation. Always provide sufficient context for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this is a first time" primarily functions as an introductory phrase. It sets the stage to indicate that the speaker or writer is experiencing or observing something novel. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common use.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

44%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Academia

8%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this is a first time" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression for highlighting the novelty or initial occurrence of an event or experience. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is acceptable and usable in written English. While commonly appearing in diverse source types such as news, media, science and business, its usage is neutral. It is important to always clarify the context to ensure understanding of what's happening for the first time. By heeding the guidance, you can effectively use "this is a first time" to add emphasis and clarity to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this is the first ever occasion

Adds "ever" for emphasis on the uniqueness of the event.

this marks the first instance

Replaces "is a first time" with a more formal phrase.

this is the inaugural occurrence

Substitutes "first time" with "inaugural occurrence" to emphasize the beginning of something.

this represents a debut

Replaces "is a first time" with "represents a debut" to highlight the initial appearance of something.

this constitutes the premiere

Emphasizes the initial or first presentation.

this experience is brand new

Focuses on the freshness and novelty of the experience.

this is unprecedented

Highlights the novelty and lack of prior instances.

this is a novel event

Highlights the newness or originality of the event.

this is a groundbreaking moment

Emphasizes the significance and potential impact of the event.

never before has this happened

Inverts the sentence structure to emphasize the novelty.

FAQs

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

You can use "this is a first time" to indicate that something is happening for the first time. For example, "This is a first time I've tried this dish, and it's delicious."

What phrases are similar to "this is a first time"?

Similar phrases include "this is the first time", "this is an inaugural occurrence", or "this is a debut" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "this is a first time"?

Yes, "this is a first time" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to indicate that something is happening for the first time.

What's the difference between "this is the first time" and "this is a first time"?

"This is the first time" generally refers to a specific event or instance, whereas "this is a first time" is a slightly less formal way of expressing the same idea, potentially implying an ongoing experience.