In the first place meaning in English
Learn how to use In the first place correctly with Gymglish.
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Definition
(I never loved you) in the first place: originally, to start with, in the beginning (I didn't love you)
Examples
- "That's why you killed the dog in the first place, right?"
Exercise 1
Choose between first and the first.
OK, everyone, it’s time for the speeches! Who wants to go ?
You are person to ever call me “beautiful”!
I should never have accepted this job in place.
OK, everyone, it’s time for the speeches! Who wants to go ?
You are person to ever call me “beautiful”!
I should never have accepted this job in place.
Choose between first and the first.
OK, everyone, it’s time for the speeches! Who wants to go first 1?
You are the first 2 person to ever call me “beautiful”!
I should never have accepted this job in the first 3 place.
OK, everyone, it’s time for the speeches! Who wants to go first 1?
You are the first 2 person to ever call me “beautiful”!
I should never have accepted this job in the first 3 place.
1 first: "To go first" is a common expression meaning "to do something before the other people" or "to be the first person to act". Another example: "OK, we're ready to start playing Game of Boards! Who wants to go first?" (take the first turn).
1 the first: There is no reason to use "the" in this sentence. "The" generally comes before a noun, for example: "The first page of the book".
2 the first: We must say "the first" here because we are referring to a specific person. The person being spoken to called the speaker "beautiful" before anyone else every did, so the description "the first" applies to them only. Another example: "The first female head of state was Sirimavo Bandaranaike".
2 first: This sentence doesn't make sense without "the". The noun "person" must be preceded by an article.
3 the first: "In the first place" is a common idiom meaning "originally, to start with, in the beginning". The speaker is saying that their original decision to accept the job was a a bad decision, and that they should have realized this at the time. Another example: "You're the one who suggested the party in the first place!" (You originally suggested the party).
3 first: Don't confuse "in the first place", which means "originally", with "in first place" which means "in first position". If someone finishes in first place, it means that they win a race or competition. For example: "The marathon is over, and in first place: Marion Quincy!".
Exercise 2
Choose between first and the first.
time he saw snow, Horatio thought it was raining sugar.
You were the one who suggested getting a cat in place!
Icarus never does any work without tidying his desk .
time he saw snow, Horatio thought it was raining sugar.
You were the one who suggested getting a cat in place!
Icarus never does any work without tidying his desk .
Choose between first and the first.
The first 1 time he saw snow, Horatio thought it was raining sugar.
You were the one who suggested getting a cat in the first 2 place!
Icarus never does any work without tidying his desk first 3.
The first 1 time he saw snow, Horatio thought it was raining sugar.
You were the one who suggested getting a cat in the first 2 place!
Icarus never does any work without tidying his desk first 3.
1 The first: We must say "the first" here because we are referring to a specific time (occasion). There is only one earliest occasion (first time) on which Horatio saw snow, so the description "the first" applies to that time only. Another example: "The first person I saw after being born was the President".
2 the first: "In the first place" is a common idiom meaning "originally, to start with, in the beginning". The speaker is saying that the other person made the original suggestion to get a cat. Another example: "I should never have come to this orgy in the first place".
3 first: When we use "first" at the end of a sentence, it has the same meaning as "beforehand". Here, we understand that Icarus always tidies his desk before doing any work. Another example: "Don't go to the meeting yet. I want to discuss our negotiation strategy first".
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