Was ist first? Aussprache und Verwendung im Englischen

Let's break down how to use the word "first" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with many different ways it can be used! Here’s a breakdown categorized by usage:

1. As an Adjective (Describing Order):

• Meaning: "First" describes something that comes before others in a sequence.
• Examples:
  • “This is my first time visiting Paris.” (Describes the order of experiences)
  • “The first page of the book is missing.” (Describes the position)
  • “He's the first person to win the prize.” (Describes being in order of achievement)
  • “Let’s look at the first steps in the process.” (Describes the sequence)

2. As an Adverb (Modifying Verbs):

• Meaning: "First" tells you when something happened in a sequence.
• Examples:
  • “First, I made the salad. Then, I added the dressing.” (Indicates the order of actions)
  • “First, you need to gather your materials.” (Provides the initial step)
  • “First, let me apologize for the mistake.” (Starts the conversation)

3. As a Pronoun (Referring to something in a sequence):

• Meaning: “First” replaces a noun that is the first item in a list or series.
• Examples:
  • “First, John went to the store. Then, he went to the park.” (“First” replaces “John”)
  • "I need first place to win the competition.” (“First” replaces “the first place”)

4. As a Determiner (Preceding a Noun):

• Meaning: “First” indicates the initial item in a collection or group.
• Examples:
  • “First, we need to clean the house.” (Indicates the initial task)
  • “I have first cousins.” (Indicates the first category of relatives)

5. Figurative/Idiomatic Uses:

• “First come, first served”: This is a common idiom meaning that those who arrive first get priority.
• “Let’s start with the first step.”: Meaning: “Let’s begin with the initial step.”
• “He was the first to realize…”: “He was the one who discovered it first.”

Key Points to Remember:

• "First" often signals a beginning. It's frequently used to introduce something new or to set the stage for a series of events.
• It’s about sequence: The core meaning of "first" is always related to order – the beginning of a list, the initial action, the early stage of something.

Let’s practice! Can you use "first" in a sentence to describe:

1. The order you followed to make breakfast?
2. The feeling of trying something new for the very first time?
3. The advantage of arriving early to an event?

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