"it is the first time" vs "it was the first time"

Question

"it is the first time" vs "it was the first time"

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'It is the first time' is used when referring to a current or ongoing situation, while 'It was the first time' is used when talking about a past event.

Last Updated: March 30, 2024

Use 'it is the first time' when you want to express that something is happening for the first time in the present or in a recurring manner.

Examples:

It is the first time I have seen such a beautiful sunset.
It is the first time I am trying this new restaurant.
It is the first time I have heard this song.

Alternatives:

This is the first time
I have never seen this before
This is a new experience for me
I am experiencing this for the first time
I have never encountered this situation before

Use 'it was the first time' when you want to talk about something that happened for the first time in the past.

Examples:

It was the first time I visited Paris.
It was the first time I tried sushi.
It was the first time I saw snow.

Alternatives:

That was the first time
I had never experienced that before
It had never happened to me before
I had never encountered that situation before
That was a new experience for me

Answer 1

it is the first time

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to a current or ongoing situation.

Answer 2

it was the first time

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to a past event.

"it is the first time" vs "it was the first time"

it is the first time

it was the first time

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