‘First’ or ‘Firstly’?
The ins and outs of enumeration.
Mignon Fogarty
First and second are better choices than firstly and secondly for two reasons:
First, the shorter versions serve the same purpose as the longer versions. Shorter is often considered better in such cases.
Second, the –ly forms get awkward when you reach bigger numbers such as seventhly and eighthly.
I’ve been known to disagree with Strunk and White, but in this case, I like their take on the matter: “Do not dress words up by adding ly to them, as though putting a hat on a horse.”
And for heaven’s sake, don’t mix the two forms! If you start with first, second is next, not secondly.
Recently, I saw someone complain that all uses of enumeration are clumsy elementary-school style, but I disagree and still use enumeration in my writing when it seems appropriate. I believe enumeration can make arguments easier to follow, although sometimes a bulleted list is a good choice too.
Get more tips like this in The Grammar Devotional:
Print: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Powell’s
E-book: Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble Nook, Apple iBook