First
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Ordinal number
| cardinal # | ordinal # |
|---|---|
| one | first: 1st |
| two | second: 2nd |
| three | third: 3rd |
| four | fourth: 4th |
| five | fifth: 5th |
Adjective
First, an ordinal number, fits into the adjective position of standard noun phrase structure:
- the first time, the first train, the first hour
- every first week of the month, each first of the month, each first place trophy
- all the first-timers, all first-time visitors
Adverb
Though the word "firstly" exists, it is mostly used in more formal speech. Like fast, first can modify a verb or a verb phrase:
- Shall we go?
- I'd like to finish hanging <abbr title="internal argument of the verb 'hang'">the clothes</abbr> first.
