"This idea first appeared" vs "This idea appeared first"

Question

"This idea first appeared" vs "This idea appeared first"

Both phrases are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. 'This idea first appeared' implies that the idea appeared for the first time, emphasizing the order of appearance. 'This idea appeared first' suggests that the idea appeared before something else, without necessarily indicating that it was the first time it appeared.

Last Updated: March 19, 2024

This phrase is used to indicate that the idea appeared for the first time, highlighting the order of appearance.

Examples:

This idea first appeared in the early 20th century.
The concept first appeared in his research paper.
The term first appeared in the dictionary in 1990.
The idea first appeared during the brainstorming session.
The theory first appeared in scientific literature.

Alternatives:

This idea initially appeared
This idea was first introduced
This idea was first mentioned

This phrase is used to indicate that the idea appeared before something else, without emphasizing that it was the first time it appeared.

Examples:

This idea appeared first in his speech and then in the book.
The concept appeared first in the scientific community and later in public discourse.
The term appeared first in informal conversations and then in academic literature.
The idea appeared first during the meeting and then in the report.
The theory appeared first in philosophical discussions and later in scientific research.

Alternatives:

This idea was the initial appearance
This idea was the first to appear
This idea was the earliest appearance

Answer 1

This idea first appeared

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English. It emphasizes the idea appearing for the first time.

Answer 2

This idea appeared first

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English. It suggests that the idea appeared before something else, without specifying if it was the first time.

"This idea first appeared" vs "This idea appeared first"

This idea first appeared

This idea appeared first

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