Frist vs. First: Which is the Correct Spelling?

• "Frist" is the incorrect spelling of "first."
• "First" typically refers to the initial occurrence, position, or instance in a sequence or ranking, indicating precedence or priority over subsequent items or events. It denotes being ahead of all others in order or importance.

What does "first" mean?

Adjective

Meaning: Coming before all others in time, order, or importance.

Examples:

• She won first prize. (highest rank)
• This is my first time visiting Paris. (initial)
• Put the letter in the first drawer. (number one position)

Adverb

• Meaning: Before anything or anyone else.

Examples:

• We should call a taxi first. (before doing anything else) First of all, let's get some coffee. (to begin with)
• I saw him first. (before anyone else)

Noun

• Meaning: Something that comes before all others of the same kind.

Example:

• Reaching the summit was a major first for the team.

The use of "frist" vs. "first" over time

Examining the graph below, we can see that "first" occurs more frequently than "frist."

How to pronounce "first"

In British English, "first" is pronounced fuhst.

In American English, "first" is pronounced furst.

Why would we misspell "first" as "frist?"

There are a few reasons why someone might misspell "first" as "frist":

• Phonetic misspelling: The "ir" sound in "first" can be tricky, especially for people who are still learning English or those with certain accents. "Frist" is a phonetic spelling, where someone tries to write the word based on how it sounds.

Other common misspellings of "first"

1. firt
2. fist
3. furst

Example sentences of the misspelling of "first" as "frist"

1. "In the English language, it's important to note that 'frist' is a misspelling of 'first'."
2. "Remember to always use the correct spelling 'first', not 'frist', when writing in English."
3. "While typing quickly, be cautious not to accidentally type 'frist' instead of the correct spelling, 'first'."
4. "If you spot the word 'frist' in your writing, make sure to correct it to 'first' to maintain proper spelling and clarity."
5. "It's a common mistake to substitute 'frist' for 'first', but it's important to remember the correct spelling in formal writing."

Example sentences of "first"

1. This is my first time visiting New York City.
2. The first step in solving a problem is understanding its root cause.
3. Sarah was the first person to arrive at the party.
4. The team won first place in the competition.
5. Please fill out the first section of the form with your personal information.
6. My first impression of the book was quite positive.
7. Let's tackle the most important tasks first.
8. I'll meet you at the coffee shop on First Avenue.
9. The first chapter of the novel sets the stage for the rest of the story.
10. He took the first flight out in the morning to make it to the meeting on time.

Synonyms for "first"

1. Initial
2. Primary
3. Inaugural
4. Premier
5. Opening
6. Foremost
7. Primary
8. Debut
9. Introductory
10. Leading

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References:

Definition of FIRST

preceding all others in time, order, or importance: such as; earliest; being the lowest forward gear or speed of a motor vehicle… See the full definition

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