The Oxford English Dictionary on firstly: Used only in enumerating heads, topics, etc. in discourse; and many writers prefer first, even though closely followed by secondly, thirdly, etc. First, and firstly are both correct, since first is also an adverb.
What is another way to say firstly?
What is another word for firstly?
| first | first of all |
|---|---|
| first off | first up |
| to begin with | before all else |
| before anything else | beforehand |
| 1stly | in the first place |
What can I say instead of starters?
other words for for starters
- first off.
- to begin with.
What does eventually mean?
: at an unspecified later time : in the end.4 dagen geleden
What does Amendment mean?
An amendment is a change or an addition to the terms of a contract, a law, or a government regulatory filing.
What kind of word is eventually?
We use the adverb eventually to mean ‘in the end’, especially when something has involved a long time, or a lot of effort or problems: I looked everywhere for my keys, and eventually found them inside one of my shoes!
What does imagined mean?
to form a mental image of (something not actually present to the senses). to think, believe, or fancy: He imagined the house was haunted. to assume; suppose: I imagine they’ll be here soon. to conjecture; guess: I cannot imagine what you mean.
What is another word for imagined?
Frequently Asked Questions About imagine Some common synonyms of imagine are conceive, envisage, envision, fancy, realize, and think. While all these words mean “to form an idea of,” imagine stresses a visualization.
What does image mean?
visual representation of something
Is imagining a real word?
Yes it’s a real word, and used correctly. All verbs (except defective ones) can be made into verbal nouns by adding -ing (after removing any silent “e”). Imagining is a verb.
Asked by: Mrs. Sincere Stamm IV
Score: 4.8/5
(22 votes)
Even though they are both adverbs, ‘first’ and ‘firstly’ are hardly interchangeable in all situations: we never say “I firstly noticed it yesterday.» One might say «firstly, what are you doing in my home?» or «firstly, I hope you have insurance»—but if you want to avoid criticism, ‘first’ is the best bet for most …
Is there a word firstly?
Is “Firstly” a Real Word? Dictionary giants Samuel Johnson and Noah Webster did not recognize firstly as a word at all. … Native English speakers naturally warm to the word firstly as an ordinal adverb because most adverbs end in -ly. Not all adverbs do; consider fast, well, and often, for example.
Can I use firstly in a sentence?
We venture out together in the early evening, firstly visiting the shopping plaza next door. Firstly , the children participated in Literacy lessons concerning regular and irregular plurals. Firstly , there is currently no facility for measuring circular polarization.
How is the word firstly used?
: in the first place : first. Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More About firstly.
Is firstly grammatically correct?
The Oxford English Dictionary on firstly: Used only in enumerating heads, topics, etc. in discourse; and many writers prefer first, even though closely followed by secondly, thirdly, etc. First, and firstly are both correct, since first is also an adverb.
27 related questions found
Can you say Fourthly?
Senior Member. You can use «firstly, secondly, thirdly, and fourthly,» but these end up sounding repetitive. Personally, I would vary by using phrases like «in the third place» and «finally.»
What is after Fourthly?
You can say ‘fourthly’ if you wish, but as you continue, it becomes less and less idiomatic. First, second, third, etc., stay more idiomatic in longer sequences. Traditionally, it was «first, secondly, thirdly«, if I recall correctly.
How do you start a paragraph without using firstly?
Answer: It is better not to say «first,» but to just say your point and then on the next section, you can say «second» or «additionally» or «moreover.» I would never use «firstly» because it sounds rather awkward. You could use the word, «Initially» or the phrase, «to start with.»
What to use instead of to begin with?
synonyms for to begin with
- initially.
- originally.
- ahead.
- at the outset.
- before all else.
- beforehand.
- in the first place.
- to start with.
Is firstly formal or informal?
You can use either first or firstly as an adverb to introduce a statement that is the first in a series of statements. The use of firstly is more formal. Similarly, you can also use second, third, etc. instead of secondly, thirdly, etc. to refer to further points or statements.
Do you put comma after firstly?
one should use commas after their transition word or phrase that starts a new sentence. However, the example sentences in Cambridge Dictionary seem to invalidate this rule. Firstly I would like to thank you for your kind offer of a job … Firstly the sodium chloride is dissolved in the water and heated gently.
Is it firstly or first of all?
Both «firstly» and «first of all» are used when there is a list or subsequent events. «First» is used like that as well.
Is Fifthly a word?
in the fifth place; fifth.
Is it first second or firstly secondly?
You should use first, second, and third to show textual enumerations in your writing. Many authorities prefer first, not firstly, even when the remaining items or points are introduced with secondly and thirdly. Example: First, through practice you will develop a better style.
Is fastly a word?
Many English learners use the word “fastly” as an adverbial form of “fast”, which seems quite logical because this is the way adverbs are usually formed. If something is slow, we say that it “moves slowly”, and such usage is completely correct.
What are some good sentence starters?
Some words are indeed notable for being good sentence starters. The list will include the following: although, I would like to, first, meanwhile, therefore, subsequently, while, I would like to, moreover, in general, in addition, furthermore.
What words can I use to start a introduction?
17 academic words and phrases to use in your essay
- Words to use in your introduction. …
- Firstly, secondly, thirdly. …
- In view of; in light of; considering. …
- According to X; X stated that; referring to the views of X. …
- Adding information and flow. …
- Moreover; furthermore; in addition; what’s more. …
- In order to; to that end; to this end.
How do you start an introduction?
Introductions
- Attract the Reader’s Attention. Begin your introduction with a «hook» that grabs your reader’s attention and introduces the general topic. …
- State Your Focused Topic. After your “hook”, write a sentence or two about the specific focus of your paper. …
- State your Thesis. Finally, include your thesis statement.
Does firstly have to be followed by secondly?
First doesn’t have to be followed by second (or firstly by secondly), in that it is logical to state something comes first and let it be inferred that something else is second.
How do you continue the first of all?
Typical use would be one of the following:
- «First of all,» for the first point and «Second,» for the second point.
- «First of all,» for the first point and «Secondly,» for the second point.
- «First,» for the first point and «Second,» for the second point.
Is Sixthly a real word?
In the sixth place; sixth in a row.
What do you call words like first then next?
Sequencers are words that organize your writing and speaking, words like first , next , then , after that , and finally . We often use sequencers in English when we give instructions, describe a process, or tell stories.
What can I use instead of Firstly Secondly Thirdly?
Re: Is there any alternative to «First, Secondly,thirdly…»? «Last but not least» is used quite commonly. It sums up a list, and re-inforces the importance of all of the points. «Last but definitely not least» may also be used.
Perhaps you have seen the words first and firstly in sentences and wondered which one is correct—or if firstly is even a real word. If so, today’s post can help.
First Things Firstly
As a starting point, let’s note that both first and firstly are technically correct in a grammatical sense. That means you can use either one without being wrong. Either word falls under the category of “enumeration,” which involves using numbered lists to make a point or explanation. If you were showing a friend how to bake a cake and said something such as “first, you pour in the flour, and second, you add the eggs,” you would be using enumeration.
With that understood, you could use firstly instead of first. As we mentioned, it is grammatically correct.
We do however recommend that you don’t make a habit of it. Here are some good reasons why:
Firstly is a longer word with an extra syllable. Shorter is often better in writing, speaking, and reading.
Firstly is an uncommon word. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but in this case, using it could make it seem as if you are trying to hide a point or “dress up” an otherwise lacking idea. In other words, it’s distracting.
Because firstly isn’t common in usage, some teachers, professors, and employers may consider it to be incorrect even when it isn’t. So, it could hurt your grades or your ability to communicate.
Firstly is more awkward to say out loud than first is. Whether it’s verbal or written, good communication calls on us to be as clear and simple as possible.
To be consistent, we would need to follow firstly with secondly, thirdly, fourthly, and so on. That can get cumbersome. Such writing or speaking might not be grammatically wrong, but it isn’t always going to help us win a reader’s or listener’s attention.
The First and Last Line on Firstly
If you wish to continue writing and saying firstly, you won’t be defying grammatical principles. But don’t be surprised if other people act as if you are. It’s a word most native English speakers don’t use, and many might assume it implies a lesser understanding of the language.
Unless you have a specific reason to use firstly, secondly, thirdly, and so on, it’s better to stick with the shorter, simpler, and more commonly accepted alternatives first, second, and third.
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When used to begin a list of two or more things, there is a strong preference for first over firstly today, but this preference is one of custom and usage, not grammar. Both first and firstly can function as adverbs, but they are not completely interchangeable; for example, we never say “firstly of all.”
When enumerating a list of two or more things, should you begin with first or firstly? There’s a strong preference for first in written English today, but adverbs are supposed to end in -ly, aren’t they? Like so many “rules” of English, this one isn’t a rule at all, but a shortcut that helps with broad generalizations.
Even though they are both adverbs, ‘first’ and ‘firstly’ are hardly interchangeable in all situations: we never say “I firstly noticed it yesterday.» One might say «firstly, what are you doing in my home?» or «firstly, I hope you have insurance»—but if you want to avoid criticism, ‘first’ is the best bet for most situations.
Flat Adverbs
An adverb that has the same form as its related adjective is called a flat adverb (think of fast in “go fast” or slow in “go slow”). There are relatively few of these in English, since many adverbs do have an -ly ending, which creates adjective/adverb pairs like speedy/speedily, elegant/elegantly, close/closely, etc. Some flat adverbs have the same meaning with both forms: “The sun shines bright/brightly.” Some have different meanings, having separated over time, like “sleep tight” and “close tightly.” And some, like first and firstly, have an uneasy coexistence.
History of Firstly
It turns out that there’s been a conspiracy against firstly for centuries. The great English dictionaries of the 1700s and early 1800s by Samuel Johnson and Noah Webster didn’t even have entries for firstly, though the word had been used since the 1300s (Webster had no entry between FIRSTLING and FIRST-RATE). When firstly was finally added in the first posthumous edition of Webster’s Dictionary in 1847, it wasn’t even accorded the courtesy of a definition; instead, the entry simply reads “Improperly used instead of first.”
Some writers objected to the use of firstly instead of first for the oldest reason in the book: they thought it was new to the language (the 19th-century equivalent of saying: “That’s not a word!”). We know today that they were incorrect, but since firstly hadn’t been entered in dictionaries until then, they could be forgiven for thinking it was a neologism.
Others objected with a double correction: they said that those who used firstly created an adverb from first because the firstly-users believed that first wasn’t an adverb—all a waste of time, since first was and is used as an adverb (as are fast, slow, tight, etc.). The new objection was that firstly amounted to a pedantic hypercorrection of a word that was just fine in the first place, and therefore unnecessary. This is clearly the rationale behind the stigmatization found in the entry in the 1847 Webster’s Dictionary.
More recent objections have been more about style than substance: these commentators don’t like firstly because it’s longer than first. Even though they are both adverbs, first and firstly are hardly interchangeable in all situations: we never say “firstly of all” or “I firstly noticed it yesterday,” but these differences amount to idiomatic usage—the habits of centuries—and not grammar. In writing, first is much more common than firstly and is probably the best bet for most situations, even if the only reason is that a reader may wonder if firstly is proper and be distracted by this word choice. You might say that the conspiracy has succeeded by maintaining this word’s slightly disrespectable reputation.
Если вы путаетесь в словах first, firstly, at first, first of all, эта статья для вас. Мы разберем, что значат эти слова, выражения, какая между ними разница. Мы также разберем несколько примеров со всеми этими first-подобными выражениями.
В основном, трудности вызывает именно эта парочка. Причина в том, что их значения немного пересекаются.
- Firstly — это наречие «во-первых». Оно звучит несколько формально, в большинстве случаев (практически всегда) стоит в начале предложения.
Firstly, put some flour in the bowl, then add a glass of water. — Во-первых, положите муки в чашку, затем добавьте стакан воды.
Firstly, you need to apologize. — Во-первых, тебе нужно извиниться.
Учтите, что firstly никогда не может значить «первый».
- First — это 1) порядковое числительное «первый», 2) синоним firstly, то есть наречие «во-первых» (вариант first звучит менее формально).
Примеры, где first = «первый»:
This is the first time I watch a movie in English. — Это первый раз, когда я смотрю фильм на английском.
Do you remember your first date? — Вы помните ваше первое свидание?
Примеры, где first = firstly = «во-первых».
First, put some flour in the bowl, then add a glass of water. — Во-первых, положите муки в чашку, затем добавьте стакан воды.
First, you need to apologize. — Во-первых, тебе нужно извиниться.
Как вы, наверное, заметили, я просто взял те же самые примеры, что приводил выше, и заменил firstly на first. Почему? Чтобы показать еще раз, что между ними нет никакой смысловой разницы. Единственное отличие (стилистическое, а не смысловое) в том, что firstly звучит немного формальнее, чем first.
Наряду с first и firstly, для перечисления могут использоваться наречия:
secondly (second) — во-вторых,
thirdly (third) — в третьих,
Чисто технически, возможны и такие слова, как fourthly, fifthly, sixthly, но на практике они редко встречаются, так как звучат довольно по-канцелярски и многим режут слух. При перечислении нескольких пунктов лучше разбавлять все эти «в третьих» такими словами, как: next — затем, следующее, then — затем, потом, and finally — и наконец-то (про заключительный пункт).
First, Firstly и At First
Что касается at first, его значение похоже на firstly и first (как наречие), но не идентично ему. At first значит «сперва», «поначалу». Обычно его используют для создания контраста между тем, что было поначалу и тем, что случилось потом. Используется обычно в начале или в конце предложения.
At first, I thought that Lara was a lazy, irresponsible employee. Now I can see I was wrong. — Поначалу я думал, что Лара — ленивая, безответственная сотрудница. Теперь я вижу, что был неправ.
They didn’t believe me at first, then I presented the proof. — Они мне сначала не поверили, но затем я предъявил доказательство.
В этих примерах мы вряд ли сможем заменить at first на first или firstly — они не вполне подходят по смыслу. Представьте, что я сказал бы по-русски: «Во-первых, они мне не поверили, а затем я предъявил доказательство». Что-то звучит не так, не правда ли? Так и хочется вместо «во-первых» сказать «сначала». Точно так же first или firstly были бы не вполне уместны в этих примерах.
First of All
Выражение first of all значит «прежде всего». С его помощью мы подчеркиваем важность некоего пункта, действия.
First of all, you need to have some rest, then you can get back to work. — Прежде всего тебе нужно немного отдохнуть, потом ты сможешь вернуться к работе.
First of all, make sure the power is off, then change the light bulb. — Прежде всего убедитесь, что электричество выключено, затем замените лампочку.
Как видно из примеров, first of all — отличается по смыслу и употреблению от слов, рассмотренных выше. Мы не используем его для контраста между «до» и «после», как at first, а также не используем для перечисления пронумерованных пунктов, как firstly или first.
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