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 ...
Should you use firstly in an essay?
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.
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.
Where do you put firstly in a sentence?
2. Firstly, it's expensive, and secondly, it's too slow . 3. I want two things from my boss – firstly, a pay rise, and secondly, a longer contract.
Can you use firstly in a sentence?
Firstly , Turkey has had to fight a separatist terrorist movement for 15 years. Firstly , they are impressed that you can shuffle using the riffle shuffle because the average kid isn't ready to shuffle at all . Firstly , by reports that bovine spinal cord was being incompletely removed from some carcasses.
What kind of word is firstly?
First and firstly are both ordinal (or ordering) adverbs that English speakers and writers use to enumerate related points (e.g., first... second... third... or firstly...
Is it better to say first or firstly?
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 ...
How do you use first in a sentence?
- At first we just smiled but then we got talking one day. ...
- At first glance it just looks like a bright dress. ...
- At first my wife denied it – but then she admitted it. ...
- At first they just tasted like a flower, then erupted with intensity and heat.
What can I say instead of firstly?
- foremost.
- immediately.
- up front.
- first of all.
- first thing.
- in the first place.
- primo.
Is it rude to say first of all?
3 Answers. It is no ruder or more courteous than ‘First ‘ or ‘To begin with' or ‘In the first place' or ‘Let me start by saying'. They are all perhaps a little abrupt. It doesn't really matter which you use.
Is for example a connective?
As well as this, conjunctions are sometimes used at the start of a sentence, rather than in the middle. For an example of this, look no further than the start of the previous sentence! Other examples of connective phrases include: For instance.
What can you say 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.
How do you use first and second in a sentence?
Yes, that's grammatically correct. Often, writers using ordinals (e.g., first, second) in a sentence will delimit them with commas: Accordingly, this Court must first read through the case, and second determine whether the plaintiff makes a strong case.
Can firstly be used in the middle of a sentence?
1 Answer. I'd probably always use “first” rather than “firstly “. “Firstly” achieved some currency among people who incorrectly thought they had to use an adverbial form. “However, first I would like to thank you for your....” (probably not “on your” since we thank for things and congratulate on things).
Is there a 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.
Can I use secondly without using firstly?
First, “firstly” and “secondly” are not words. They are sometimes used in informal speech, but I would try to avoid them there and would not use them at all in writing.
