"first" vs "first of all"

Question

"first" vs "first of all"

Both 'first' and 'first of all' are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'First' is used to introduce the initial point in a list or sequence, while 'first of all' is used to introduce the most important point or consideration.

Last Updated: March 27, 2024

Use 'first' when you want to introduce the initial point or step in a series of points or steps.

Examples:

First, we need to gather all the necessary materials.
Let's address the first issue before moving on to the next one.

Alternatives:

initially
to begin with
firstly
first off

Use 'first of all' when you want to emphasize the importance of the initial point or consideration before moving on to others.

Examples:

First of all, safety should always be our top priority.
First of all, we need to address the main issue at hand.

Alternatives:

above all
primarily
first and foremost
most importantly

Answer 1

first

Correct. 'First' is used to introduce the initial point in a list or sequence.

Answer 2

first of all

Correct. 'First of all' is used to introduce the most important point or consideration.

"first" vs "first of all"

first

first of all

Related Comparisons