1st
1st — adjective
1. used for the person or thing that comes before every other one in a numbered ord
used for the person or thing that comes before every other one in a numbered order, date, or ranking
Ada was the 1st student to hand in the science project.
the 1st + noun for sequence
The 1st train to Tainan leaves before sunrise on weekdays.
the 1st + transport noun
Jack lives on the 1st floor of the old apartment building.
This is Putri's 1st time speaking to the whole class.
文法句型
the 1st + noun
someone's 1st + noun
用法筆記
In writing, 1st is common in dates, rankings, lists, and labels. In continuous formal prose, many writers spell out first instead.
常見錯誤
2. describing the lowest forward driving gear in a car, truck, or bicycle
describing the lowest forward driving gear in a car, truck, or bicycle
The van climbed the steep hill in 1st gear all morning.
in 1st gear
Sana eased the car into 1st gear at the traffic light.
into 1st gear
Keep the bike in 1st gear when the path gets rocky.
The driving coach told Jin to start in 1st gear.
文法句型
in 1st gear
shift into 1st gear
用法筆記
This sense almost always appears with gear. Distinguish it from sense 1, which marks order rather than vehicle speed.
3. describing the highest part played or sung in a group of similar instruments or
describing the highest part played or sung in a group of similar instruments or voices
Élise played 1st violin during the school concert.
1st violin
The choir director asked João to sing 1st tenor tonight.
1st tenor
Only the 1st flute carries the melody in that passage.
Christopher won the 1st trumpet part after spring auditions.
文法句型
1st violin
1st tenor
1st flute
用法筆記
Used in orchestra, band, and choir settings to mark the lead or highest line in a section.
1st — adverb
1. before anyone or anything else in time, position, or importance
before anyone or anything else in time, position, or importance
Finish your report 1st, then help the new intern.
1st before a second action
The red boat reached the harbor 1st in the storm.
arrive 1st
We always put safety 1st on school trips.
Selim arrived 1st and unlocked the practice room.
文法句型
arrive 1st
put something 1st
用法筆記
Use this sense when one action, person, or priority comes before the others.
2. as the first point, step, or item that you mention
as the first point, step, or item that you mention
1st, check the map before you leave the station.
1st, as a step marker
1st, the teacher explained how to share the lab tools.
The guide said 1st that everyone needed a helmet.
1st, let me thank the neighbors who cleaned the park.
文法句型
1st, + clause
say 1st that + clause
用法筆記
Common in notes, online posts, and spoken instructions. In more formal continuous prose, firstly is sometimes preferred.
3. on the first occasion when something happens
on the first occasion when something happens
Feng sang on stage for the 1st time at graduation.
for the 1st time
Jin flew alone for the 1st time during summer break.
Ada used chopsticks for the 1st time at the night market.
The puppy slept through the night for the 1st time.
文法句型
for the 1st time
用法筆記
This sense nearly always appears in the fixed phrase for the 1st time.
4. before another choice because you want it more or think it matters more
before another choice because you want it more or think it matters more
Putri always asks local staff 1st when she needs directions.
ask someone 1st
We call the campus nurse 1st if someone feels faint.
The team turns to Ada 1st when a printer stops working.
Christopher looks for used books 1st to save money.
文法句型
ask someone 1st
go to someone 1st
用法筆記
This sense focuses on preferred choice. Distinguish it from sense 1, where 1st only marks sequence or rank.
1st — noun
1. the person, thing, or event that comes before all the others in a set or happens
the person, thing, or event that comes before all the others in a set or happens before the rest
Jabari was the 1st through the school gate this morning.
the 1st through + place
The new cafe gave a free drink to the 1st in line.
the 1st in line
That storm was the 1st of the wet season.
The 1st on the waiting list accepted the room.
文法句型
the 1st in + group
the 1st of + period
用法筆記
This sense names the earliest member of a set or the earliest event in a series. It often needs a phrase that shows the set or period.
2. the position of the winner in a race, game, or other competition
the position of the winner in a race, game, or other competition
Our relay team finished in 1st after a perfect final lap.
finish in 1st
Mina's dog took 1st at the weekend show.
take 1st
The bakery came in 1st at the city pie contest.
Only one point separated the swimmers, but Yuto got 1st.
文法句型
finish in 1st
take 1st
用法筆記
Common in result lists, sports, animal shows, and prize competitions.
3. the lowest forward gear in a car, truck, or bicycle
the lowest forward gear in a car, truck, or bicycle
The driver left the truck in 1st on the steep ramp.
leave something in 1st
Shift into 1st before you pull away from the curb.
shift into 1st
The bike felt jerky because it stayed in 1st too long.
Rosa forgot she was still in 1st at the light.
文法句型
in 1st
shift into 1st
用法筆記
This noun sense often appears without the word gear when the driving context is already clear.
4. the highest voice or instrument part in a group, especially in a choir, band, or
the highest voice or instrument part in a group, especially in a choir, band, or orchestra
Marta moved from 2nd violin to 1st this term.
move to 1st in a section
In the quartet, Nika sang 1st while her sister sang 2nd.
sing 1st
During rehearsal, the teacher told Omar to play 1st.
Only veteran players are trusted with 1st in that orchestra.
文法句型
play 1st
sing 1st
用法筆記
Used when the ensemble already makes the instrument or voice type obvious.
5. an item of the best quality in a group of goods that have been sorted by grade
an item of the best quality in a group of goods that have been sorted by grade
The shop sells 1sts at full price and seconds at a discount.
1sts and seconds
Only the smoothest apples were packed as 1sts for export.
packed as 1sts
This factory sorts its tiles into 1sts and seconds.
Buy the 1sts for display and keep the chipped mugs inside.
文法句型
sell as 1sts
sort into 1sts and seconds
用法筆記
Most common in trade or factory contexts where products are graded by quality.
6. the base that a batter runs to first in baseball
the base that a batter runs to first in baseball
The runner beat the throw to 1st by half a step.
to 1st
Marco dove back to 1st after the pitcher faked a throw.
back to 1st
The bunt rolled slowly, and Mei was safe at 1st.
One out and a runner on 1st changed the coach's plan.
文法句型
to 1st
on 1st
safe at 1st
用法筆記
Used in baseball scoring and commentary. Distinguish it from noun sense 1, which is about sequence rather than a sports base.