at the first opportunity vs in the first opportunity

The correct phrase is 'at the first opportunity.' 'In the first opportunity' is not a common phrase in English. 'At the first opportunity' is used to indicate doing something as soon as the chance arises.

Last updated: March 30, 2024 • 2058 views

at the first opportunity

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used to indicate doing something as soon as the chance arises.

Examples:

I will talk to him at the first opportunity.
She grabbed the book at the first opportunity.
He always seizes the moment at the first opportunity.
Please inform me at the first opportunity.
We need to act at the first opportunity.

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I will be delighted to fight you at the first opportunity.
I shall at the first opportunity.
Since you are without funds you will leave Macao at the first opportunity.
My daughter fires you, and you run back at the first opportunity.
Jackson was determined to kill the Bank at the first opportunity, and wasted no time in trying to do so.
Which I'm sure you'll do at the first opportunity.
He sounds like a young man ready to take charge at the first opportunity.
But I will, of course speak to Lev Nikolayevich at the first opportunity.
As for myself, I was determined to escape at the first opportunity.
I might conclude by saying that I would have preferred it if the British entered EMU at the first opportunity.
Our next move, given the fact that at the first opportunity Gus will kill us.
Let you down at the first opportunity... like all your other good and innocent causes.
I mean, you longed to know him your whole life, yet at the first opportunity, you murdered him.
When you meet him again, tell him I'll prove it, at the first opportunity.
If there's one thing I know for sure, the girl will be dead at the first opportunity...
When you know that time is running out, you have to signal your team at the first opportunity and hope for the best.
The hidden gun goes off, kills James Woods, and at the first opportunity, I retrieve the gun and plant it in Tom's bag.
What do I pay you for, if you flop like Women at the first opportunity and let the prosecutor escape - !
The Colonel's not going to force you to go, but if you don't, chances are he'll... put you off the ship at the first opportunity.
When the Council, with Parliament, decides upon economic regulations to be complied with by the 27 Member States, it is not so that they can be waived at the first opportunity.

in the first opportunity

This phrase is not correct in English. The preposition 'in' is not used in this context.

Show examples from the web [+]

Terrorists will get rid of you in the first opportunity.
If we leave this pander alone now, he will uprise again in the first opportunity.
My question in the first place concerns the opportunities the disabled have to take advantage of freedom of movement in Europe.
I gave you the first opportunities.
Since you are without funds you will leave Macao at the first opportunity.
I am disappointed that the first opportunity was thwarted three weeks ago.
The work of the Chemicals Agency must begin at the first opportunity.
I will be delighted to fight you at the first opportunity.
The first opportunity to make changes could be the CAP Health Check.
According to records, this will be the first opportunity...
At the first opportunity we shall part company with great pleasure and no regrets.
I shall at the first opportunity.
Or I will take the first opportunity to get rid of you.
The Barcelona Summit next month will therefore be the first opportunity for taking stock of their implementation.
My daughter fires you, and you run back at the first opportunity.
We have taken note that the first opportunity for an overall review will be in mid-2005.
At the first opportunity Gus will kill us.
So, motive - revenge, timed to the first opportunity.
This is the first opportunity in 40 years...
Jackson was determined to kill the Bank at the first opportunity, and wasted no time in trying to do so.

Alternatives:

at the first opportunity
when the first opportunity arises
as soon as the first opportunity presents itself
at the earliest opportunity
without delay

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at the first opportunity vs in the first opportunity