25 Other Ways to Say “Firstly, Secondly, Thirdly” (With Examples)

Listing points using “firstly, secondly, thirdly” is grammatically correct, but it can sound stiff or repetitive — especially in essays, emails, presentations, or everyday conversation. You can use smoother transition words like “to begin with,” “in addition,” and “furthermore” instead, and they often read more naturally to modern audiences.

This guide breaks down what “firstly, secondly, thirdly” actually means, when it works best, and 25+ alternatives organized by position — first point, middle points, and final point — so you always know exactly which phrase to reach for.

What Does “Firstly, Secondly, Thirdly” Mean?

“Firstly, secondly, thirdly” are ordinal transition words used to organize points in a logical sequence. They tell the reader or listener the order in which ideas are being presented, making arguments, instructions, or lists easier to follow.

You’ll typically see these words in:

• Essays and academic papers
• Business reports and presentations
• Step-by-step instructions
• Persuasive writing or speeches
• Emails listing multiple points

While “firstly,” “secondly,” and “thirdly” are all grammatically valid, many style guides now prefer “first,” “second,” and “third” without the “-ly” ending, since they sound slightly more modern and less formal.

Is It Professional or Polite to Say “Firstly, Secondly, Thirdly”?

Yes, it’s considered professional and polite, particularly in formal writing like reports, academic essays, and structured presentations. It signals clarity and organization, which readers appreciate.

However, it can feel a bit rigid or old-fashioned in:

• Casual emails or conversations
• Creative writing
• Modern business communication that favors a conversational tone
• Spoken presentations where a more natural flow works better

Pros and Cons of Using “Firstly, Secondly, Thirdly”

Pros	Cons
Clearly organizes points in order	Can sound repetitive across long documents
Works well in formal and academic writing	May feel outdated in casual communication
Easy for readers to follow	Doesn’t add variety or personality to writing
Universally understood	Overuse can make writing feel mechanical

Why You Need Alternatives

Relying on the same three transition words throughout a document can make your writing feel monotonous. Using alternatives helps you:

1. Add variety to long-form writing like essays and reports
2. Match the tone of your audience, whether formal or conversational
3. Avoid repetition, especially when listing more than three points
4. Improve flow so ideas connect more naturally
5. Sound more engaging in speeches or presentations

Tips for Choosing the Right Phrase

Before swapping in a new transition, consider a few things:

• Audience — Academic readers expect more formal transitions; casual readers don’t.
• Format — Essays, emails, and spoken presentations each call for slightly different phrasing.
• Position in the list — The opening phrase, the middle connectors, and the closing phrase all serve different jobs.
• Consistency — Stick to a similar style throughout the same document (don’t mix “firstly” with “for starters” in the same list).

Alternatives Organized by Position

The easiest way to replace “firstly, secondly, thirdly” is to think of your list in four parts: the opening point, the middle points, any additional points, and the closing point. Each position calls for a slightly different kind of word.

Alternatives for “Firstly” (Opening Point)

• To begin with
• First and foremost
• To start with
• Initially
• First of all
• At the outset

Alternatives for “Secondly” (Middle Points)

• In addition
• Moreover
• Next
• Additionally
• Furthermore
• Building on that

Alternatives for “Thirdly” and Beyond (Subsequent Points)

• Furthermore
• Then
• Subsequently
• Moving on
• Another point worth noting
• What’s more

Alternatives for “Lastly” (Final Point)

• Finally
• In conclusion
• Last but not least
• To wrap up
• In closing
• To sum up

This position-based approach is often easier to apply than memorizing a fixed three-word set, since it lets you build lists of any length — three points, five points, or more — without running out of natural-sounding transitions.

25 Full Alternatives to “Firstly, Secondly, Thirdly”

1. To begin with, next, finally
2. First of all, then, lastly
3. In the first place, after that, in the end
4. One, two, three
5. The first point is, the second point is, the third point is
6. First and foremost, additionally, lastly
7. Initially, subsequently, ultimately
8. At the outset, following that, in conclusion
9. For starters, next up, to wrap up
10. To start with, moving on, to finish
11. Primarily, secondarily, tertiary
12. First things first, afterward, finally
13. Let’s begin with, then we’ll look at, lastly
14. In order, next in line, finally
15. Step one, step two, step three
16. At first, later, in the end
17. The first reason is, another reason is, the final reason is
18. One reason is, another is, the last is
19. To kick things off, after that, to conclude
20. To open with, then again, lastly
21. The first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect
22. First consideration, second consideration, final consideration
23. Point one, point two, point three
24. Starting off, continuing, ending with
25. To start, in addition, to close

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A Few Worth Highlighting

“First and foremost” works especially well when your opening point is the most important one, since it signals priority rather than just sequence.

“Step one, step two, step three” is ideal for instructional content, like tutorials or how-to guides, where clarity matters more than formality.

“To begin with… finally” is a smooth, natural-sounding option that works equally well in writing and speech.

Formal vs. Informal Alternatives

Formal Alternatives	Informal Alternatives
Initially, subsequently, ultimately	First off, then, last but not least
At the outset, following that, in conclusion	For starters, next up, to wrap up
Primarily, secondarily, finally	One, two, three
First and foremost, moreover, lastly	Let’s begin with, then we’ll look at, lastly

Use the formal column for essays, reports, and professional documents. Save the informal column for conversations, casual emails, and everyday explanations.

Alternatives for Academic Writing

Academic writing benefits from precise, formal transitions that maintain a professional tone throughout longer essays or research papers.

• “In the first instance… subsequently… ultimately”
• “The first argument… the second argument… the final argument”
• “To begin the analysis… following this… in conclusion”
• “Primarily… additionally… finally”

These phrases help maintain academic tone while still guiding the reader through your argument structure.

Alternatives for Business and Professional Communication

Workplace communication often benefits from transitions that sound natural but still organized.

• “First and foremost… moving on to the next point… in closing”
• “To start… building on that… to conclude”
• “Our first priority is… another key point is… finally”
• “Let’s begin with… next, we’ll cover… lastly”

These work well in presentations, business emails, and meeting notes where clarity and professionalism both matter.

Alternatives for Everyday and Spoken Conversation

Spoken English tends to favor shorter, more natural-sounding transitions.

• “First off… then… last but not least”
• “One thing is… another thing is… and finally”
• “So first… then after that… and to finish up”
• “Starting with… moving on to… wrapping up with”

These phrases sound less scripted when spoken aloud, making them ideal for presentations, interviews, or casual explanations.

Quick Comparison Table

Situation	Best Alternative
Academic essay	Initially, subsequently, ultimately
Business report	First and foremost, moreover, lastly
Casual email	First off, then, last but not least
Instructional guide	Step one, step two, step three
Public speaking	To begin with, next, finally
Persuasive argument	The first reason is, another reason is, the final reason is

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Mixing formal and informal transitions in the same paragraph, which can feel inconsistent
• Overusing the same phrase even after switching from “firstly, secondly, thirdly”
• Using “firstly” without following through with “secondly” or “thirdly” style consistency
• Choosing overly casual phrases for formal academic or business writing
• Forcing a transition where a simple period or new sentence would flow better

Words to Use Instead of Firstly, Secondly, Thirdly, Fourthly

When you need to extend beyond three points, these phrases scale well:

1. First, second, third, fourth
2. To begin, next, then, finally
3. Initially, subsequently, additionally, ultimately
4. Point one, point two, point three, point four
5. The first factor, the second factor, the third factor, the last factor

For lists longer than four points, it’s often better to use numbered lists rather than relying on transition words alone, since repeated phrases can become distracting.

Firstly, Secondly, Thirdly in an Essay: Best Practices

When using these transitions in essay writing, keep a few best practices in mind:

• Introduce your main argument first, then use transitions to organize supporting points
• Keep transitions consistent throughout each paragraph or section
• Avoid starting every paragraph with a transition word — vary sentence structure
• Use transitions to strengthen logic, not just to fill space

A well-organized essay doesn’t need “firstly, secondly, thirdly” in every paragraph. Strategic placement, combined with natural alternatives, often reads more smoothly.

Ordinal Adverbs and Their Role in Writing

“Firstly,” “secondly,” and “thirdly” are technically ordinal adverbs, used to indicate sequence. While grammatically correct, many modern style guides — including several widely used academic ones — now recommend “first,” “second,” and “third” instead, since they sound more natural in contemporary writing without the “-ly” suffix.

Both versions are acceptable, but choosing one consistently throughout a document creates a more polished, professional result.

FAQs

1. Why should I use alternatives to “firstly, secondly, thirdly”?

Alternatives prevent repetitive writing and help match the tone of your audience, whether formal or casual.

2. Are these alternatives suitable for academic writing?

Yes, phrases like “initially, subsequently, ultimately” work especially well in essays and research papers.

3. Which alternative is best for speaking?

Shorter, natural phrases like “first off, then, last but not least” tend to sound smoother in spoken conversation.

4. Can I mix different transition styles in one paragraph?

It’s best to stay consistent within a single paragraph or section to maintain a smooth, professional flow.

5. Do these phrases improve communication skills?

Yes, varying your transitions makes both written and spoken communication clearer and more engaging for your audience.

Conclusion

“Firstly, secondly, thirdly” will always be a reliable way to organize your points, but it doesn’t have to be your only option. Whether you’re writing an academic essay, a business report, or simply explaining something to a friend, these 25 alternatives — organized by opening, middle, and closing position — help your writing feel more natural, varied, and engaging without losing the clarity that structured transitions provide.