[Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/firstly.html)

[home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [dictionaries](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/) / [The school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/) / firstly

[← F](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/F/)

# firstly

«firstly» in Mova's school dictionary: **Used to introduce the first point in a list of reasons or…** — its meaning for a pupil, its sense in the lessons and examples, with 2 sentences of Mova's corpora that use it.

### part of speech

adverb (firstly)

### meaning for a pupil

Used to introduce the first point in a list of reasons or steps. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/firstly/#m1)

### sense in the lessons

In writing lessons «firstly» is a time-and-order connective, followed by «secondly», «thirdly» and «finally» or «lastly». It helps the reader follow an argument or instructions. Many writers prefer just «first». Phrases: «firstly … secondly … finally».

### examples

- Firstly, wash your hands. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/firstly/#x1)
- Firstly, dogs are loyal; secondly, they keep you fit. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/firstly/#x2)
- Firstly, we will read the poem, then we will write our own. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/firstly/#x3)
- I want a bike, firstly because it's fun and secondly because it's healthy. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/firstly/#x4)
- Firstly, put the flour in the bowl. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/firstly/#x5)

### note

Usually starts a sentence and is followed by a comma. Both «first» and «firstly» are correct (UK writers use «firstly» more).

### In the corpora

- [Firstly, children need time to eat.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/english/24-persuasive-letters-newspaper-articles-and-diaries/2/)
- [In non-fiction, headings, subheadings and signposts such as "Firstly, secondly, finally" organise the text.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/english/37-paragraphs-and-cohesion-holding-a-text-together/14/)

### Trees and pragmatics

[Every meaning and example of «firstly» parsed by Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/firstly/), each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.