we must first

USAGE SUMMARY

"we must first" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate the first step or action that needs to be taken in a process or sequence. Example: "Before we can start the project, we must first gather all of the necessary materials."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We must first decide what we want.

MIT Technology Review

So first we must first address that problem".

Independent

In order to heal, we must first hurt.

The New York Times

"We must first take more land, more industry, more cities.

The Guardian

To achieve this, we must first clear some barriers.

The Guardian

To understand their differences, we must first understand shadows.

Cornell University

We must first ask, which technology and which democracy?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

We must first distinguish two modes of Likeness.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

To accomplish this feat, we must first establish precise design criteria for tissue fabrication.

Principles of Tissue Engineering

To take advantage of these technologies we must first determine clinical equivalence to currently established methods.

Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia

In order to overcome this barrier, we must first assess their knowledge.

Journal of Pediatric Nursing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we must first", ensure the subsequent action is clearly defined and logically follows as the initial step in a sequence. This helps maintain clarity and coherence in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "we must first" without clearly outlining the subsequent actions. Failing to do so can leave the reader with an incomplete understanding of the process or argument you're presenting.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we must first" functions as a modal adverbial phrase, indicating the necessity and sequence of an action. As Ludwig AI suggests, it introduces a preliminary step that is essential before proceeding further. The examples show its use in various contexts, emphasizing the importance of the initial action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we must first" is a versatile and frequently used expression that serves to highlight the necessary initial action in a sequence of events. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and employed across various contexts, including news, science, and academia. While alternatives such as "first we have to" and "initially we need to" exist, "we must first" carries a tone of obligation or necessity. Remember to clearly define the subsequent action when using this phrase to avoid ambiguity and ensure your writing remains coherent and effective. By mastering the use of "we must first", you can improve the clarity and logical flow of your writing, guiding your readers through your arguments or processes with ease.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

first we have to

Changes the modal verb and introduces a slightly more informal tone.

it is imperative that we first

Adds emphasis by stating the action is "imperative", highlighting its importance.

initially we need to

Replaces "must" with "need to" and "first" with "initially", providing a slightly different emphasis on the temporal aspect.

we have to begin by

Highlights the beginning of a process by using "we have to begin by".

the first thing we should do is

Expands the phrase to a more explicit statement of action, adding a conditional element with "should".

before anything else we ought to

Uses "ought to" instead of "must", suggesting a moral imperative and replacing "first" with "before anything else" for emphasis.

to begin with, we are required to

Introduces a formal tone using "are required to" and "to begin with" to indicate the initial action.

primarily we are to

Shortens the phrase using "primarily" instead of "first", maintaining a formal register.

at the outset, we're to

Uses the phrase "at the outset" to introduce the first action, creating a formal tone and replacing "we must" with "we're to".

as a starting point, we have to

Introduces the idea of a "starting point", shifting the focus slightly from obligation to initiation.

FAQs

How do you use "we must first" in a sentence?

The phrase "we must first" is used to indicate the initial action that needs to be taken before proceeding with subsequent steps. For example, "We must first gather the data before analyzing the results."

What are some alternatives to saying "we must first"?

Alternatives include phrases like "first we have to", "initially we need to", or "the first thing we should do is", depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "we must first" and "first we must"?

While both phrases are grammatically correct, "we must first" places slightly more emphasis on the obligation or necessity, whereas "first we must" emphasizes the order of actions. The choice depends on the intended nuance.

What is the register of "we must first"?

The phrase "we must first" is generally considered neutral to formal in register and can be used in a variety of contexts, including professional, academic, and journalistic writing.