First vs. Firstly – Which is Correct?

Both “first” and “firstly” are grammatically correct, but they serve slightly different purposes. “First” is more common and versatile, functioning as an adjective, adverb, or noun. “Firstly” is exclusively an adverb, primarily used to introduce the first point in a sequence, often in formal contexts. While “first” can often replace “firstly” as an adverb, “firstly” cannot replace “first” in all its roles.

First or Firstly – Which is Correct?

Both “first” and “firstly” are correct in American English, though their usage differs in nuance and frequency. “First” is by far the more common and adaptable word. It can function as an adjective (the first step), an adverb (he arrived first), or a noun (at first, I was confused). “Firstly,” on the other hand, is exclusively an adverb and is typically used to enumerate points in a list or argument (Firstly, we need to gather data; secondly, we will analyze it). While “first” can often be used as an adverb in a sequence (First, we need to gather data), “firstly” cannot replace “first” when it acts as an adjective or noun.

Word	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
First	Adjective, Adverb, Noun	Preceding all others in time, order, importance, or rank.	He was the first person to finish. (adjective) She always arrives first. (adverb) At first, I didn’t understand. (noun)
Firstly	Adverb	Used to introduce the first point in a series of reasons, arguments, or steps.	Firstly, we must consider the budget constraints.

How to Use First

“First” is a highly versatile word in English, functioning as an adjective, an adverb, or a noun. As an adjective, it describes something that comes before all others in position, order, or importance. As an adverb, it indicates that an action happens before any other or that someone arrives or acts before others. As a noun, it refers to the beginning or the initial part of something. It is generally preferred over “firstly” when simply indicating the initial item in a sequence without the explicit enumerative tone. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Example 1 (Adjective): The first chapter of the book was the most engaging.

Example 2 (Adverb): Please finish your homework first, then you can play.

Example 3 (Noun): At first, I found the task daunting, but I quickly got the hang of it.

What are the different forms of First?

“First” is primarily a base form. As an adjective, it is the superlative form of “good” or “well” when referring to order or rank (e.g., “best” is the superlative for quality). It does not have comparative forms like “firmer” or “firmest.” As an adverb, it also maintains its form. There are no common pluralizations or tense variations for “first” itself, as its role changes rather than its morphology.

Etymology of the word First

The word “first” comes from Old English fyrst, which is a superlative form of fore, meaning “before.” It is related to other Germanic words like Old High German furist and Old Norse fyrstr. Its roots trace back to Proto-Germanic *furista-, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *per-, meaning “forward, through.” This etymology underscores its core meaning of preceding all others.

How to Use Firstly

“Firstly” is an adverb used primarily to introduce the first item in a series of points, reasons, or arguments, often in formal writing or speech. It signals to the reader or listener that an enumeration is about to begin. While “first” can often be used in the same enumerative context (e.g., “First, we must consider…”), “firstly” explicitly emphasizes its role as an adverb and the sequential nature of the points. It is generally considered more formal and slightly more emphatic than “first” when listing points. Some style guides prefer “first” even in this context, but “firstly” is widely accepted and used.

Example 1: Firstly, I would like to thank everyone for attending this meeting.

Example 2: To bake this cake, you must firstly preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Example 3: The report outlines three main challenges: firstly, budget constraints; secondly, staffing shortages; and thirdly, logistical issues.

What are the different forms of Firstly?

“Firstly” is an adverb and does not have different forms in terms of tenses or pluralization. Its form is consistent. It is derived from “first” by adding the adverbial suffix “-ly.”

Etymology of the word Firstly

The word “firstly” is a relatively newer formation compared to “first.” It originated in the 16th century by adding the adverbial suffix “-ly” to the word “first.” This suffix is commonly used to form adverbs from adjectives (e.g., “quick” to “quickly”). Its creation reflects a desire for a distinct adverbial form specifically for enumeration, distinguishing it from “first” in its other grammatical roles.

Related Concepts

Understanding the difference between “first” and “firstly” often involves grasping the distinction between adjectives and adverbs, and how words can shift their grammatical roles. “First” is an excellent example of a word that can function as multiple parts of speech depending on its context. When it modifies a noun, it’s an adjective. When it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb, it’s an adverb. “Firstly,” by contrast, is a dedicated adverb. This highlights the flexibility of English words and the importance of analyzing a word’s function within a sentence to determine its correct usage.

Examples from Media and Literature

• “It was the first time in his life that he had seen a man’s face instead of a mask.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby (Here, “first” acts as an adjective modifying “time.”)
• “Firstly, I need to remind everyone about the safety protocols.” – A common phrase heard in corporate training videos or official announcements.
• “When Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from troubled dreams, he found himself transformed in his bed into a monstrous insect.” – Franz Kafka, The Metamorphosis (Implies “first” as the initial event, though not explicitly stated as an adverb of sequence.)
• “First, do no harm.” – Hippocratic Oath (Here, “first” functions as an adverb, indicating priority.)
• “And firstly, you must understand that this is not a simple matter.” – Often found in argumentative essays or formal speeches.

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

1. She arrived _____ at the party, before anyone else.
2. _____ and foremost, we must prioritize customer satisfaction.
3. The _____ step in solving the problem is to identify its root cause.
4. To begin, _____, gather all your ingredients.
5. I remember my _____ day of school vividly.

Answer Key

1. first
2. First
3. first
4. firstly / first
5. first

First Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Initial	Existing or occurring at the beginning.
Original	Existing from the beginning; the earliest or earliest form of something.
Primary	Of chief importance; principal.
Foremost	Chief in importance, rank, or position.
Earliest	Happening or existing before all others in time.

Firstly Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Initially	At the beginning.
Primarily	For the most part; mainly.
To begin with	Used to introduce the first point or reason.
First of all	Used to emphasize the first point in a series.
In the first place	As the first consideration or reason.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Is “firstly” considered too formal or old-fashioned?
While “firstly” is perfectly correct, some modern style guides and speakers prefer “first” even when enumerating points, considering “firstly” to be slightly more formal or academic. However, it is not old-fashioned and is widely used in formal writing and public speaking.

Question 2: Can “first” always replace “firstly”?
When “firstly” is used to introduce the first item in a series (e.g., “Firstly, we need a plan…”), “first” can often replace it without changing the meaning (e.g., “First, we need a plan…”). However, “firstly” cannot replace “first” when “first” acts as an adjective or a noun (e.g., “the first time,” “at first”).

Question 3: When should I definitely use “first” instead of “firstly”?
You should definitely use “first” when it functions as an adjective (e.g., “the first person,” “the first prize”) or a noun (e.g., “at first,” “from first to last”). “Firstly” is never used in these grammatical roles.

Conclusion

In summary, both “first” and “firstly” are grammatically correct, with “first” being the more common and versatile of the two. “First” can function as an adjective, adverb, or noun, indicating precedence in various contexts. “Firstly” is exclusively an adverb, primarily used to enumerate points in a formal sequence. While “first” can often substitute for “firstly” in enumerations, “firstly” cannot fulfill all the grammatical roles of “first.” Understanding their distinct functions allows for precise and effective communication.

Pro Tip: When in doubt or striving for conciseness, “first” is almost always a safe and widely accepted choice, especially in less formal writing. Reserve “firstly” for situations where you specifically want to emphasize the sequential enumeration of points, particularly in formal or academic contexts.