Academic English #48. in the first place: from the beginning, first of all

“In the first place” is an expression that Americans often use in everyday conversation and writing, and it is used mainly in two situations.

• Meaning ‘from the outset, from the beginning’ – used to emphasize the reason something started, or to suggest that something was wrong from the beginning.

• Meaning ‘first of all, above all’ – used when you want to state the most important reason first at the beginning of speech or writing.

In other words, it is a versatile expression used either to emphasize the cause or starting point, or to express priority depending on the situation.

Everyday English

• I didn’t want to go to the party in the first place. → I didn’t want to go to the party in the first place.

• In the first place, it’s important that we check the facts. → In the first place, it’s important that we check the facts.

• That plan was a bad idea in the first place. → That plan was a bad idea in the first place.

Academic English

• This study was conducted in the first place to improve patient safety. → This study was conducted in the first place to improve patient safety.

• In the first place, we identified a gap that previous studies failed to address. → ​In the first place, we identified a gap that previous studies failed to address.

• These findings illustrate why we attempted a new approach in the first place. → ​These findings illustrate why we attempted a new approach in the first place.