ENGLISH
REFERENCE

the first time in history

fixed phr..
A2 Elementary Oxford

fixed phr.. something that has never happened before in the past.

fixed phr.. a fixed adverbial phrase used to emphasize the unprecedented nature of an event or situation.


SIMPLE

For the first time in history, a woman won this race.

CONTEXTUAL

The two countries signed a peace treaty today for the first time in history.

COMPLEX

Scientists have successfully mapped the entire genome of this rare species, marking the first time in history such a feat has been achieved.

Usage

often used at the beginning or end of a sentence to add dramatic emphasis.

Teaching tip

encourage students to use this for major global events or scientific breakthroughs to practice the superlative 'first' and the preposition 'in'.

Pitfall

for the first time of historyfor the first time in historythe preposition 'in' is required to show the time period being discussed.

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