First and firstly are both ordinal (or ordering) adverbs that English speakers and writers use to enumerate related points (e.g., first…second…third… or firstly…secondly…thirdly…). Because first, second, and third work perfectly well as both adjectives and adverbs, some people find that adding -ly is superfluous and even a little bit pretentious. In other words, it is grammatical overkill.
Is “Firstly” a Real Word?
Dictionary giants Samuel Johnson and Noah Webster did not recognize firstly as a word at all. Surprised? Native English speakers naturally warm to the word firstly as an ordinal adverb because most adverbs end in -ly. Not all adverbs do; consider fast, well, and often, for example.
Johnson and Webster clearly believed that first should be included in this irregular adverb group, and that firstly should never be used at all.
Yet it would be silly to say that firstly isn’t part of the English language. We hear it all the time. The question is this: will using firstly when you enumerate points make your writing seem less correct?
Should I Use “First” or “Firstly?”
It is not wrong to use firstly, secondly, and so on to enumerate your points. Nor is it wrong to use the simpler first, second, etc.
I have three reasons for wanting to visit Rome. Firstly, I would love to see the Colosseum. Secondly, I’m sure the pope is dying to meet me. Thirdly, they have great pizza.
I have three reasons for wanting to visit Rome. First, I would love to see the Colosseum. Second, I’m sure the pope is dying to meet me. Third, I need better pizza.
These statements are equivalent in meaning. Nevertheless, there are good reasons for choosing the “first” sequence over the “firstly” sequence.
First, using first is a sure win. If your writing is being published or evaluated, or even if you would like to seem proficient to your coworkers, use the construction that is never criticized rather than the one that is frequently criticized.
Second, the unnecessary -ly may not seem pretentious to you when applied to the lower numbers, but they will, once you follow them logically up the scale. Beyond fourthly and fifthly, they become quite ridiculous. (Seventhly? Eleventhly?)
Third, have you ever noticed that firstly doesn’t have a cognate in the idioms we use every day? You would never say firstly come, firstly served or at firstly glance.
Whichever system you choose, avoid mixing your methods. For example, using firstly then second and third, will simply open you up to more censure, even if there is no hard-and-fast rule to stop you.
When to Use “At First”
At first is not used to enumerate points as first and firstly are.
There are two steps to signing in to our website. At first, type your login name. Next, type in your password.
There are two steps to signing in to our website. First, type your login name. Next, type in your password.
The phrase at first means “in or at the beginning.”
At first, I thought a burglar had come in, but then I realized it was the cat.
She denied eating the cookie at first, but she soon understood that the crumbs on her dress had given her away.
I disliked bungee jumping at first, but now I can’t imagine living without it.
If you just can’t get enough of ordinal numbers now that you have learned about first vs. firstly, find out some more about them.
She likes hiking and outdoor sports; you’re a homebody who’d rather eat nachos and watch Netflix. He’s into kale smoothies and hates chocolate; you . . . well, honestly, what kind of person hates chocolate?
But then someone appears who catches your eye. This person sounds upbeat, likes many of the same things you do, and has some interesting hobbies. Winner!
Swipe right!
You dash off a quick message to say hello and introduce yourself:
Hi their! It looks like we have a lot in commen. Lovd ur profile. Lets talk!
Hours pass. Then days. Your potentially perfect match does not respond. What have you done?
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You are being judged
Okay, time for a harsh reality—if you’re involved in the online dating world, you’re being judged. And, because it’s likely to be your first method of contact, one of the ways your potential matches are judging you is by how well you write. Here are a few ways to avoid blowing it.
Use ur your words!
We know typing on a mobile device can be a pain, but when you’re trying to make a love connection it’s important to avoid shortcuts. Taking the time to spell out words rather than resorting to textspeak shows you’re not dashing off hasty, impulsive responses. If your match has real potential, isn’t he or she worth the time it takes to write out real words?
Proofread!
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Practice safe text—proofread before you hit send. Not only does paying attention to detail show you care, it makes you look smarter and better at life, so people will like you more.
Okay, we’re being a bit snarky there, but we have stats to back this up! Grammarly’s research, in cooperation with eHarmony, revealed that a man with just two spelling errors on his online dating profile is 14 percent less likely to get a match. Ouch! Women may be more likely to evaluate men in terms of things like grammar because, according to OKCupid, they get seventeen times as many messages as men do.
Keep it positive
Even when you don’t mean to be a downer, your language can come across as negative. When writing a potential paramour, take a moment to consider how your message might be perceived. Let’s say you’re chatting with a guy who seems like a perfect match. You ask him to meet you for coffee and conversation. Here are two potential responses he might send:
Sure, that could be fun.
or
Yes, that would be fun.
Odds are, you’ll feel a lot more confident about his enthusiasm if he sends the second response. Even though sure is affirmative, it comes with an implied non-committal shrug, an unspoken meh. And who wants to hear “meh” in response to “Let’s get together”? After all, the famous quote says “Yes, a thousand times yes!” not “Sure, a thousand times sure.”
Could is a similar language beast. It’s ambiguous. Saying, “That could be fun” is like admitting you think meeting for coffee only might end up being a good time. Don’t be a buzzkill! Before you hit send, apply an empathy check to make certain you’re staying positive. Ask yourself “How would I feel if I got this message?” If you sound like you’re not all that interested, or like you’re hedging your bets, a little editing to choose the right words will go a long way.
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Tame your punctuation
We’ve warned you to keep it positive, but that doesn’t mean you have to commit egregious acts of overkill. People who go wild with punctuation can look a little . . . over-the-top. Exclamation points, for example, are for exclamations. (Who knew?) They work just fine when you’re saying an excited “Wow!’ or “Awesome!” or even a disappointed “Damn!” But when you write “I’d love to meet you!!!!!” you’re conveying potentially scary levels of excitement. Only dogs can get away with that level of enthusiasm.
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But don’t be stuffy
Just because you’re proofreading, spelling out complete words, and not overdoing the punctuation doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. In fact, you should have fun. Coming across like a stuffy snob is as bad for your dating prospects as coming across like a slobbery canine. You may be tempted to demonstrate your command of the English language, or even to throw in an erudite semicolon or two, but that doesn’t convey fun so much as “I’m silently judging you.”
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Compare these two introductory texts:
Hello. I was attracted to your profile. You and I appear to have a great deal in common. If you are interested, I would like to exchange correspondence to see whether we might be a match.
vs.
Hi! I came across your profile and noticed that we’re both into polar bear plunges and ice dancing. I thought I was the only one! I’d love to get to know you. Would you like to chat?
Which one would you respond to? Not only does the second version call attention to common ground, it sounds much more conversational.
One quick addendum: Men who properly use the pronoun whom seem to be 31 percent more irresistible to women. We’re not saying it’s a sure thing, guys, but it couldn’t hurt to brush up on your who vs. whom skills.
Communicate to be understood
In the online dating world (and anywhere else, for that matter) your primary writing goal is to be understood. Clear communication means not only paying attention to detail, but aiming for a positive, conversational tone. When you’re communicating online and excited about the prospects of a new match, it can be hard to remember to check yourself before you wreck yourself. But trust us, it’s worth it.
The phrase such as requires a comma in front of it only if it’s part of a nonrestrictive clause.
When to Use a Comma Before Such As
Here’s an example of such as used correctly with a comma in a sentence:
In this forest, you’ll see many types of coniferous trees, such as pine and spruce.
The phrase such as pine and spruce is nonrestrictive, so you need a comma. How can you tell it’s nonrestrictive? Take the phrase out and see whether the sentence is still true: In this forest, you’ll see many types of coniferous trees.
When to Use Such As Without a Comma
Don’t use a comma if such as is part of a restrictive clause.
Trees such as oaks and elms don’t grow at this altitude.
Here we have a restrictive phrase. Try taking it out of the sentence: Trees don’t grow at this altitude. The sentence isn’t true anymore. We’re not trying to say that no trees grow at this altitude—we’re restricting the statement to specific types of trees: oaks and elms.
How to Use Such As in a Sentence
Use such as to provide specific examples of something you’re talking about. If the specific examples aren’t essential to the accuracy of your sentence, then use a comma before such as and after your example, unless the example is at the very end of the sentence.
Citrus fruits, such as oranges and grapefruits, are high in vitamin C.
We like to plan our vacations around three-day weekends, such as Labor Day.
If the examples are essential to the meaning of your sentence, omit the commas.
Foods such as pizza and ice cream aren’t very good for you.
This year we’d like to visit a place such as Greece or Rome.
According to multiple studies conducted in 2016, the English language is becoming less formal in several contexts. It’s time to talk about slang.
While grammar pedants love to decry slang as lazy or sloppy, in reality, slang often represents the next English language trend. As this infographic shows, words often go from trendy and edgy to mainstream in a relatively short period of time. In light of this knowledge, we examined the most-added slang words to the Grammarly dictionary by our millions of users to determine which words “trended” in 2016. We found some surprisingly old words! Let’s take a look at the top ten slang words for this year. Maybe we’ll learn something we freakin’ luv.
10 Luv
It’s no secret that English lacks words for different types of affection. Whereas a language like Sanskrit has ninety-six words for love, English is stuck with just one. A solution proposed by web denizens and youths is a misspelling of “love,” used primarily in a familiar, friendly sense. In 2016, “luv” saw record popularity, probably owing to the Tory Lanez song of the same name, which topped hip-hop charts and reached no. 19 on the Billboard Top 100. Like many other words on this list, music drove the popularity of “luv” this year.
9 Freakin
Although this word trended in 2016, it’s far from new. The first written instance of “freaking” (presumably the precursor to “freakin”) was in the seventeenth century, when it was used as a descriptor for people who loved odd pastimes, not as an intensifier. Even though this word is nothing new, Grammarly users still added it to their personal dictionaries in 2016. And that is freakin’ incredible.
8 Insta-
According to our users, “insta” isn’t quite its own slang word yet. Instead, it’s a beloved prefix meaning “instant” that has produced dozens of Frankensteined terms like “insta-death” and “insta-fam.” Since the launch of Instagram in 2010, this prefix has also gained a new tech-friendly meaning that specifically denotes something that happens on the platform, as in “insta-lurk” or “insta-worthy.”
7 Bestest
Many have called this superlative lazy or unnecessary, and yet, Grammarly users seem to love it. English superlatives are notoriously fickle, since some need intensifiers like “more,” while others can take the “-est” suffix. Do you think we should welcome “bestest” into the English language in 2017? Let us know in the comments below.
6 Dat
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English has been and will always be a multicultural language. Any one group that claims full ownership over every word in English is simply mistaken, as shown by words like “dat,” which has its origins in “vernacular poetry of the 19th century and was popularized by black entertainers,” according to The Root. Although this word has a checkered past, its popular usage as a chant for the New Orleans Saints has given it new life, and its popularity is expected to rise even higher in 2017.
5 Nah
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Colloquial alternatives to “no” are nothing new, but “nah’s” cultural moment actually happened in 2014, when the chart-topping song “Or Nah” was released. Since then, “nah” has remained consistently popular among Grammarly users, although Google Trends suggests that its overall popularity is waning. Do you think “nah” will continue to be popular next year, or nah?
4 -Esque
We’ll be honest, “esque” threw us for a loop. Until we looked at data from our users, we had no idea this was such a common suffix! If you haven’t seen words like “Kafkaesque” or “statuesque” before, you can learn more about how to attach this suffix to names, descriptive words, and even old, archaic terms.
3 Y’know
We think this one is self-explanatory, y’know?
2 Lil
Image Credit: Buzzfeed
Even if hip-hop artists like Lil Jon have adopted this word as a title, it remains on the fringe of English grammar. But you might be surprised to know that “lil” was first used in the seventeenth century as a contraction of “little” and has existed in some form or another since then. Like many of the trendy words of 2016, “lil” has a surprisingly long history for such a short word!
1 Zzz
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Did you snooze through this list? If so, you’ll love the onomatopoeia that dominated our users’ dictionaries this year. The transition to primarily text-based communication (social media, texting, messaging, email, etc.) has caused English speakers to find new ways to denote body language and actions that would be readily apparent in an in-person conversation. For our users, words like “zzz” and the ever-expanding “hahahahaha” help describe actions you can’t see behind a screen.
Of course, none of these slang words are accepted in formal written communications, and you’d probably be smart to steer clear of them in your next important email. It’s also important to note that while grammar pedants decry slang as “ruining” English, many of these words have existed in some form or another for centuries. Even if it’s not acceptable in formal contexts, slang was an important part of language in 2016 and will continue to be for years to come.
What do you think about the rise of words like “zzz”? Share the luv in the comments below.
When I was new to the job market and mailing out resumes (although I’m dating myself, I’ll admit that this was well before the days of email), I sent my carefully crafted cover letters with a note that read:
Enclosed please find my resume.
One such mailing resulted in an interview. There I was in the wood-paneled office of an immaculately groomed lawyer. While I waited anxiously in an oversized leather wingback chair, he sat at his desk clicking his pen top and scanning my resume and cover letter. He looked up suddenly and grinned, pointing at the letter. “I love it when people write ‘Enclosed please find my resume.’ I didn’t even know your resume was lost!”
It was an embarrassing moment. I’d mimicked the business letter style I’d been taught in high school typing class, not to mention every other business letter I’d seen or received. But this interviewer pointed out just how inane and stuffy business-speak can be. I never used enclosed please find again.
These days, we’re more likely to want to call attention to attachments than items included with a mailed letter, but people still use please find attached all the time. Is this business writing holdover necessary?
Is there any reason to use please find attached?
Nope! There’s no need for this phrase. And there are several great reasons to dump it.
For starters, it sounds stuffy and old-fashioned. Even in formal correspondence, your goal should be to communicate in a straightforward, conversational way, free of wordiness or jargon. Please find attached is wordy jargon at its worst. It’s also a bit redundant to say that something is attached and then direct the recipient to please find it.
Another oddity with attached please find is that it’s a command when it doesn’t need to be. The popular English language blog, Separated by a Common Language, puts it this way:
There’s no need to boss around the other person to go about finding things, since the sentence is just communicating “I have attached a document for you”. In fact, it would be just plain weird to put this into another request form like Could you please find the document attached? or I would be very grateful if you would find the document attached. This underscores that please find attached is not much of a request at all. It is instead a set phrase in imperative form that does a not-very-requesty job.
Is “please find attached” essential legal language?
Attached please find reads like legalese, so you might wonder whether it’s necessary in a legal document. Writing expert Bryan Garner says no.
You see canned phrases like enclosed please find and as per all the time in letters. They’re high-sounding but low-performing. Your letters will be much clearer and more engaging without them.
Is please find attached grammatically correct?
Technically, there’s nothing wrong with saying something like “Please find the attached document.” Although find can mean to come upon something by searching for it (hence the smart-alec lawyer’s assertion that my resume must be lost), find also means to recognize or discover that something is present. Because you want your recipient to discover what you’ve attached, please find works.
But, for the reasons I just gave you above, you’re still better off avoiding it.
What are some alternatives to please find attached?
It’s easy to avoid this phrase. Just use direct language and drop the business lingo. Here are a few alternatives:
I’ve attached [item].
Please have a look at the attached [item].
The [item] you asked for is attached.
Please refer to the attached [item] for more details.
The attached [item] includes . . .
Attachment Etiquette 101
There are a few etiquette guidelines to follow when using attachments.
1Give a heads-up before sending an attachment if it’s unexpected.
Giving your recipient notice when you send an attachment is good form. Attachment-transmitted viruses have made us wary of opening those we don’t expect. (If your work involves sending attachments back and forth regularly, this probably isn’t necessary.)
2Call attention to attachments.
Let your recipient know the attachment is there. People often miss them, so a little notification (via the alternative phrases suggested above) will help you avoid confusion.
3If you mention an attachment, don’t forget it!
We’ve all done this. (I call it “attachmentitis.”) If you mention an attachment in your email, don’t forget to actually attach it. If you do forget, and catch your mistake only after you’ve hit Send, a quick reply to the thread saying “Here’s the attachment. Sorry about that!” should do the trick.
4Don’t attach huge files.
Not only do email clients have file size limits, but large files can take a long time to download, especially on mobile. (You don’t want to eat up your recipient’s mobile data allotment, do you?) If you have a large file to transfer, use a service like Dropbox or send it via a link to an online document, like Google Docs.
When it comes to writing and celebrity, most people assume all celebrities use ghostwriters. These stars—among others—prove that point wrong. We’ve analyzed a list of talented celebrities and built a quiz to help you find out which celebrity writer is just like you.
What do you think? Did we get it right? Share your reactions in the comments.
