First priority

Making something your first priority means you put it above other things. People use the phrase when they want to say what matters most right now. First priority can be work, family, health, or a task that must be done first.

Saying what is your first priority helps plan time and make clear choices. This article explains what first priority means and shows how to use it in speech and writing. It gives clear examples, common mistakes, and simple tips to choose and state priorities. Read on to learn easy rules and practice good sentence habits.

Table of Contents

Parts of speech analysis

Below is a detailed parts of speech analysis of each sentence. It explains how nouns, verbs, pronouns, and other elements are used correctly.

Making something your first priority means you put it above other things

Nouns: something, priority, things.
Pronouns: you (subject pronoun).
Verbs: Making (gerund/verb form acting as noun in subject), means (present tense, singular subject “Making something your first priority” → correct), put (base form used in clause after “means” → functions as verb in subordinate clause; full form would be “you put it”).
Adjectives: first (modifies “priority”), other (modifies “things”).
Adverbs: none.
Prepositions: above (shows position).
Conjunctions: none.
Articles: your (possessive determiner).
Verb check: “means” is present and agrees with singular subject phrase.

People use the phrase when they want to say what matters most right now

Nouns: People, phrase, things implied in “what matters most”.
Pronouns: they, what (relative pronoun here).
Verbs: use (present tense, plural subject “People” → correct), want (present tense, plural subject → correct), say (base verb after “want to” → correct), matters (present tense, singular subject “what” → correct).
Adjectives: most used as superlative modifier.
Adverbs: right (modifies “now” in phrase “right now”).
Prepositions: none.
Articles: the.
Verb check: All verbs are in present tense and agree with their subjects.

First priority can be work, family, health, or a task that must be done first

Nouns: priority, work, family, health, task.
Pronouns: that (relative pronoun referring to “task”).
Verbs: can be (modal + base verb; correct for possibility), must be done (modal passive; “must” + passive “be done” → correct).
Adjectives: first (used as adjective), first again modifies “done”.
Adverbs: none.
Prepositions: none.
Articles: a (before “task”).
Verb check: Modal verbs used correctly; subject-verb agreement is fine.

Saying what is your first priority helps plan time and make clear choices

Nouns: priority, time, choices.
Pronouns: what (interrogative pronoun used in noun clause), your (possessive determiner).
Verbs: Saying (gerund subject), helps (present tense, singular subject phrase → correct), plan (base verb following “helps” used with object omitted: helps (someone) plan), make (base verb paired with “help” structure; functions OK).
Adjectives: clear (modifies “choices”).
Adverbs: none.
Prepositions: none.
Articles: none.
Verb check: “helps” correctly matches gerund subject.

This article explains what first priority means and shows how to use it in speech and writing

Nouns: article, priority, speech, writing.
Pronouns: This (demonstrative pronoun referring to the article).
Verbs: explains (present tense, singular subject “article” → correct), means (present tense, singular subject “first priority” implied → correct), shows (present tense, singular subject “article” → correct), use (base verb after “how to” → correct).
Adjectives: none.
Adverbs: none.
Prepositions: in (used twice: “in speech”, “in writing”).
Articles: the (with article “the” not present; fine).
Verb check: Verbs are present tense and agree with subjects.

It gives clear examples, common mistakes, and simple tips to choose and state priorities

Pronouns: It (refers to article).
Nouns: examples, mistakes, tips, priorities.
Verbs: gives (present tense, singular subject “It” → correct), choose and state (base verbs in infinitive phrase “to choose and state” → correct).
Adjectives: clear, common, simple (modify the nouns).
Adverbs: none.
Prepositions: none.
Articles: none.
Verb check: “gives” matches subject; infinitive verbs are correct.

Read on to learn easy rules and practice good sentence habits

Imperative verb: Read (base verb addressing reader).
Verb: learn and practice (infinitives following “to” or base form after “read on to” → correct).
Nouns: rules, habits, sentence (modifies “habits”).
Adjectives: easy, good.
Pronouns: none.
Prepositions: none.
Articles: none.
Verb check: Imperative and infinitive forms used correctly.

What does first priority mean? (simple)

Definition (simple language):

First priority means the thing that matters most now. It is the top task or goal. When something is your first priority, you focus on it before other things.

Parts of speech in the definition sentence:

Nouns: priority, thing, task, goal.
Verbs: means, is, focus (in different sentences, present tense used for definition).
Adjectives: first, top, other.
Prepositions: before (used when comparing order).
Articles: the, a as needed.
Verb check: Present tense definitions are appropriate and correct.

Why say what your first priority is?

It helps plan time. (verb: helps, subject implied)
It makes choices clear. (verb: makes)
It reduces stress by setting focus. (verb: reduces, setting)
It helps others know what to expect. (verb: helps, know)

All sentences use present tense and clear subject-verb agreement. Use simple verbs and short sentences to state priorities.

How to state your first priority — simple examples

Below are short example sentences. Each example includes a parts-of-speech check and verb agreement note.

My first priority is my family.
- My (possessive adjective), first (adjective), priority (noun) is (verb, present singular) my (possessive adjective) family (noun).
- Verb check: is matches singular subject “My first priority.”
Our first priority must be safety.
- Our (possessive adjective), first (adjective), priority (noun) must be (modal + base), safety (noun).
- Verb check: modal must used correctly.
Her first priority was finishing the project on time.
- Her (possessive adjective), first (adjective), priority (noun) was (verb, past) finishing (gerund), the (article) project (noun) on (preposition) time (noun).
- Verb check: past tense was fits narrative.
The team agreed that customer service is the first priority.
- The (article) team (noun) agreed (verb, past) that (conjunction) customer service (noun phrase) is (verb, present) the (article) first (adjective) priority (noun).
- Verb check: Past reporting verb with present factual clause is acceptable.
First priority: check the alarm and call for help.
- Imperative structure: check (verb), call (verb), article omitted intentionally for a list-style sentence. This is acceptable in notes or headings. Avoid fragments in formal writing.

Note on fragments: The last example is a note-style fragment. Use fragments for lists or headings, but avoid them in full sentences in formal text.

Common mistakes and how to fix them

Missing article or wrong article

Wrong: First priority is team.
- Why wrong: Missing article the before “team” or wrong structure.
Fix: The first priority is the team. or Our first priority is the team.

Wrong verb form

Wrong: My first priority are family.
- Error: plural verb are does not match singular subject “priority.”
Fix: My first priority is family. or My first priorities are family and work. (use plural priorities with plural verb)

Unclear modifiers

Wrong: First priority safety.
- Error: unclear structure; fragment without verb.
Fix: First priority is safety. or Safety is the first priority.

Mixed tense in one sentence

Wrong: Our first priority is to finish the report and we were working on it yesterday.
- Problem: mixed present “is” and past “were working” in awkward way. It can be correct but better to separate or make tense consistent.
Fix: Our first priority is to finish the report. We worked on it yesterday. or Our first priority was to finish the report, and we worked on it yesterday.

Grammar checks to apply:

Match singular/plural subject with verb.
Use the article the with specific priorities when needed.
Avoid sentence fragments unless used purposely for headings or notes.

American vs British English — differences (simple)

Short answer:

The meaning of first priority is the same in both American and British English. Both use the same grammar and word order.

Minor style notes:

British English may use slightly different phrasing in formal writing, such as “primary concern” or “top priority.” American English uses similar terms. These are synonyms, not different grammar.

Examples (simple):

American: Our first priority is customer satisfaction.
British: Our primary concern is customer satisfaction.
Both sentences use present tense with correct verb agreement.

Idiomatic expressions related to first priority

Here are common phrases with similar meaning:

Top priority — identical meaning. Example: Top priority is safety.
Number one priority — more emphatic. Example: Number one priority is the children.
Main concern — used in formal writing. Example: Our main concern is the cost.

Parts of speech notes:

These phrases act as noun phrases and follow the same grammar rules as first priority. Use is for singular focus and are for plural items.

Practical tips to choose and state your first priority

Use simple words. Say “My first priority is X.” Short and direct.
Be specific. Instead of “work,” say “finish the report.”
Match verb form. Singular priority → is. Multiple priorities → are.
Use lists for multiple priorities. Example: “First priorities: safety, deadlines, and training.”
Avoid tense mixing. Keep present tense for current goals; use past tense for completed items.
Use articles correctly. Use the with specific items: the first priority is the safety of staff.
Watch fragments in formal writing. Use full sentences in reports; notes can use short phrases.

Each tip uses simple language and clear verb agreement.

Longer examples in context (with grammar checks)

As a manager, my first priority is to keep the team safe and healthy.
- As (preposition), a (article), manager (noun), my (possessive adjective), first (adjective), priority (noun) is (verb), to keep (infinitive), the (article), team (noun), safe (adjective) and healthy (adjective).
- Verb check: is matches singular subject.
Their first priority was to restore power after the storm.
- Their (possessive adjective), first (adjective), priority (noun) was (verb, past) to restore (infinitive), power (noun), after (preposition) the storm (noun).
- Verb check: past tense was fits past narrative.
If the first priority is urgent, do it now; otherwise, schedule it for next week.
- If (subordinating conjunction) the (article) first (adjective) priority (noun) is (verb) urgent (adjective), do (imperative) it (pronoun) now (adverb); otherwise (conjunctive adverb), schedule (imperative) it (pronoun) for (preposition) next week (time phrase).
- Grammar: Clear conditional structure; verbs and clauses are correct.
We agree that the first priority should be the customers’ safety, and we will act quickly.
- We (pronoun) agree (verb present) that (conjunction) the (article) first (adjective) priority (noun) should be (modal + base) the (article) customers’ (possessive noun) safety (noun), and (conjunction) we (pronoun) will act (modal + verb) quickly (adverb).
- Verb check: Modal should and future will used correctly.

Rewriting to enhance grammar, clarity, and style (still simple)

Below is a tightened, clearer version of key sections with small vocabulary boosts while keeping language simple.

Original (example): “Saying what is your first priority helps plan time and make clear choices.” Rewritten (improved): “Saying your first priority helps you plan time and make clear choices.”

Why improved: Shorter and clearer. Subject is direct; pronoun “you” makes sentence active.

Original: “First priority can be work, family, health, or a task that must be done first.” Rewritten: “A first priority can be work, family, health, or a task you must do first.”

Why improved: Adds “you” for clarity and keeps verbs simple.

Grammar and style checks applied in rewrites:

Removed passive or complex structures when not needed.
Kept verbs in present tense for general rules.
Ensured subject-verb agreement and proper articles.

Conclusion

Summary:

First priority means what matters most now. Use short clear sentences to say it. Match verb form to subject. Use articles like the when you mean a specific item. Avoid fragments in formal writing. Keep tense simple: present for current goals, past for past events. Use lists if you have more than one priority.

FAQs

Q: What does “first priority” mean? A: It means the most important thing right now.
Q: How do I say it in a sentence? A: Use “My first priority is X.” Simple and clear.
Q: Do I say “first priority are” or “is”? A: Use is for one priority. Use are for plural priorities.
Q: Can I use “first priority” in formal writing? A: Yes. Use full sentences, not fragments, in formal text.
Q: Is there a British vs American difference? A: No major difference. Both use it the same way.
Q: Is “first priority” an idiom? A: It is a phrase used commonly. It is direct, not a tricky idiom.
Q: Can I list multiple first priorities? A: Better to say “first priorities” or “top priorities” if you list many.
Q: How do I avoid mistakes? A: Check subject-verb agreement and keep articles correct.
Q: Should I use “the” before “first priority”? A: Use the when you specify: The first priority is the safety of staff. Use my or our when personal: My first priority is family.
Q: Is “first priority” same as “top priority”? A: Yes. They mean the same thing.