Use of Firstly, Secondly, Thirdly, etc.

Hello, Ms. Mourer!

Sometimes, in grammar, things really are what they seem, and these words that look so much like adverbs (with their -ly suffix) really are adverbs! You may, in this case, even drop the suffix and say "first," "second," "third," and so on.

They are used for listing things. The word commonly used for this is "enumeration," and though I am NOT a linguist, I suspect this may be the technical term as well.

Here is a place to begin. I have a link to a brief definition of "firstly," which includes some notes on usage: http://www.bartleby.com/61/37/F0143700.html

You may also wish to look into "parallel construction" to see some ways to make enumeration sound elegant. Parallel construction is my favorite vice. One of them, anyway. :D

Thank you, thank you! It seems like such a dumb question now, but your information was great.

Elizabeth

Like many things in the english language, use of firstly, secondly, thirdly, or first, second, third
are a matter of style. As an English teacher, I teach my students to stick with first, second, and third, as they do not sound so akward.

Remember, language is an art, not a science. It's all about style in the end. Some of the greatest writers in history broke with the traditional English of their time. English changes with time. Don't think so? Just read something from only a hundred years ago and compare it to today. Language existed for many hundreds of years before people started to try to pigeon hole it into grammar rules.

"Language existed for many hundreds of years before people started to try to pigeon hole it into grammar rules."

Well, clothing has existed since before recorded history, but fashion still insists on adherence to its ever-changing, never-the-same-twice rules. Grammar is the same. Both what you wear and what you say are ways you use to communicate to other people. Both must be done properly to be properly understood.

The term you're after is 'sentential adverb'. Their entire purpose is to signpost for the speech or text they appear in.

The problem with using firstly, secondly, thirdly, etc is you have to say fourthly, fifthly, sixthly and so on. Ridiculous, isn't it?

Hey, what's wrong with verbing nouns?

Very useful and very nice explanation

As a teacher, I despise the use of "firstly". It sounds so awkward. I tell my students that this may be acceptable in some circles, but most people simply say "first". It is a matter of style and preference.