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

Other Ways to Say “Firstly Secondly Thirdly” can transform your writing from predictable to engaging. Sticking to the same transitions can make your ideas feel rigid, but a fresh approach adds rhythm and clarity. Whether you’re crafting an essay, a speech, or even a casual email, varying your transitions keeps your audience hooked. Elevate your expression with alternatives that match your tone, purpose, and style.

What Can I Say Instead of “Firstly Secondly Thirdly”?

Here are 15 other ways to say “Firstly Secondly Thirdly”:

1. First, Second, Third
2. To begin with, Next, Finally
3. In the first place, In the second place, In the third place
4. First off, Second off, Third off
5. First and foremost, Secondly, Thirdly
6. Initially, Then, Lastly
7. At first, Afterwards, In the end
8. First up, Second up, Third up
9. One, Two, Three
10. For starters, Next up, To wrap up
11. To start with, Following that, To conclude
12. Beginning with, Proceeding to, and Concluding with
13. From the outset, Moving on, Lastly
14. Starting with, Following this, Wrapping up
15. First things first, Then Lastly

1. First, Second, Third

“First, Second, Third” is a concise transitional trio often used to present information in a clear, step-by-step format. It’s suitable for formal writing, business reports, or academic essays because it emphasizes a logical progression of ideas.

Examples:

• “First, let’s decide on the date and location for the charity bake sale. Second, we should finalize the list of items we’re going to bake. Third, we’ll need to advertise on social media.”
• “First, I’ll introduce you to the company’s mission and values. Second, we’ll tour the different departments. Third, we’ll go over the key projects you’ll be working on.”

2. To begin with, Next, Finally

“To begin with, Next, Finally” structures your discussion from an opening thought to subsequent points, concluding with a wrap-up. This sequence is versatile enough for both casual and semi-formal contexts, ensuring your audience follows the flow seamlessly.

Examples:

• “To begin with, let’s prepare the soil by removing weeds and adding compost. Next, we’ll choose the most suitable seeds based on the climate. Finally, we’ll water the garden regularly and monitor growth over the coming weeks.”
• “To begin with, download all the essential apps on your new smartphone. Next, customize your notifications and privacy settings. Finally, back up your data to the cloud for safekeeping.”

3. In the first place, In the second place, In the third place

“In the first place, In the second place, In the third place” is a more formal set of transitional phrases often used in academic or professional settings. It emphasizes the importance of each argument or point in a structured manner.

Examples:

• “In the first place, the current marketing campaign isn’t reaching our target audience. In the second place, our advertising expenditure is higher than anticipated. In the third place, the return on investment has been steadily declining.”
• “In the first place, employees need ongoing training to keep their skills current. In the second place, a standardized onboarding process helps new hires acclimate. In the third place, better-trained staff directly boost productivity.”

4. First off, Second off, Third off

“First off, Second off, Third off” gives a relaxed, conversational tone. It’s well-suited for informal presentations, casual team meetings, or blog posts where you want to maintain a friendlier style without sacrificing organization.

Examples:

• “First off, we should repaint the walls in a lighter color. Second off, let’s replace the worn-out carpet with hardwood flooring. Third off, we’ll add modern lighting to brighten the space.”
• “First off, I want to confirm the project deadline. Second off, please share any design inspirations you might have. Third off, I’ll provide a preliminary sketch for your review next week.”

5. First and foremost, Secondly, Thirdly

“First and foremost, Secondly, Thirdly” allows you to emphasize the priority or importance of your first point. Commonly used in structured or semi-formal contexts, “first and foremost” underscores the most critical aspect before moving on to the others.

Examples:

• “First and foremost, we prioritize integrity in all our dealings. Secondly, we believe in transparent communication. Thirdly, we are committed to continuous innovation.”
• “First and foremost, we need to secure our funding. Secondly, let’s allocate the budget to each department. Thirdly, we must track our progress against each milestone.”

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6. Initially, Then, Lastly

“Initially, Then, Lastly” separates your discussion into three clear stages: a beginning, a transitional step, and a final conclusion. It works well in both professional documents and explanatory texts, guiding the reader or listener smoothly from point to point.

Examples:

• “Initially, focus on building a consistent exercise routine. Then, gradually introduce more challenging workouts. Lastly, track your progress weekly to stay motivated.”
• “Initially, restart your computer to see if the problem resolves itself. Then, check for software updates. Lastly, contact IT support if the issue persists.”

7. At first, Afterwards, In the end

“At first, Afterwards, In the end” places emphasis on a chronological sequence, making it especially useful for narratives or process explanations. It highlights the timeline from an initial state to a middle phase, ending with the final outcome.

Examples:

• “At first, marinate the chicken with spices and herbs. Afterwards, sauté it with onions and garlic. In the end, garnish with fresh cilantro for extra flavor.”
• “At first, I struggled with basic vocabulary in my new language. Afterwards, I practiced daily with online apps. In the end, I felt confident enough to hold simple conversations.”

8. First up, Second up, Third up

“First up, Second up, Third up” is informal and ideal for lighter, more casual contexts—like emceeing an event or hosting a fun webinar. It keeps your audience engaged while conveying a straightforward progression.

Examples:

• “First up, we’ll have a short comedy act. Second up, enjoy some live music by a budding guitarist. Third up, our keynote speaker will share insights on community development.”
• “First up, we’ll discuss how to set a realistic monthly budget. Second up, we’ll explore different saving options. Third up, we’ll talk about managing financial risks.”

9. One, Two, Three

“One, Two, Three” is the simplest way to list points, removing any linguistic flair and focusing on numeric order. It’s useful for instructional materials, short team updates, or quick outlines where you don’t need extra phrasing.

Examples:

• “One, write down every idea you have. Two, group similar ideas to spot patterns. Three, evaluate feasibility and narrow down your best options.”
• “One, form groups of three people. Two, assign a leader to note down ideas. Three, present your findings to the rest of us.”

10. For starters, Next up, To wrap up

“For Starters, Next up, To Wrap Up” provides a casual yet organized format, making it a go-to choice for mini-workshops, informal team meetings, or training sessions. It balances a friendly tone with clear guidance.

Examples:

• “For starters, we’ll meet at the park at 9 AM. Next up, we’ll split into teams for the community clean-up. To wrap up, we’ll gather for refreshments and a brief debrief.”
• “For starters, identify the key skills to highlight on your resume. Next up, organize your work experience effectively. To wrap up, add formatting touches that catch a recruiter’s eye.”

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11. To start with, Following that, To conclude

“To start with, Following that, To conclude” offers a straightforward approach that fits well in both professional and academic environments. It guides the reader through an initial action, a middle step, and a final summary or recommendation.

Examples:

• “To start with, sketch your design on paper. Following that, outline the design on the wall with chalk. To conclude, add final details and a protective coating.”
• “To start with, introduce yourself and the team in your email. Following that, clarify the client’s needs. To conclude, leave room for follow-up questions before signing off.”

12. Beginning with, Proceeding to, Concluding with

“Beginning with, Proceeding to, Concluding with” frames your ideas as a journey, often used in structured presentations or detailed workshops. Each phrase signals a new stage, ensuring clarity in more complex or multi-part explanations.

Examples:

• “Beginning with an overview of the software, proceeding to advanced editing features, and concluding with color correction techniques gives you a comprehensive skill set.”
• “Beginning with the historic district tour, proceeding to the modern art quarter, and concluding with a sunset boat ride offers travelers a well-rounded experience.”

13. From the outset, Moving on, Lastly

“From the outset, Moving on, Lastly” highlights both an initial starting point and the progress made along the way, finishing with a final stage. It’s especially helpful when describing a process or strategy that evolves over time.

Examples:

• “From the outset, we planned to disrupt the e-commerce market. Moving on, we formed partnerships with local vendors. Lastly, we expanded our reach by tapping into international markets.”
• “From the outset, I practiced guitar chords daily. Moving on, I took on more complex strumming patterns. Lastly, I joined a local band and performed live.”

14. Starting with, Following this, Wrapping up

“Starting with, Following this, Wrapping up” is a friendly yet methodical way to present points in a logical sequence. It’s great for instructional contexts, allowing you to ease your audience through steps or phases.

Examples:

• “Starting with a quick orientation on safety procedures, following this with a hands-on fire extinguisher demo, and wrapping up with real-life case studies ensures everyone is prepared.”
• “Starting with choosing the right e-commerce platform, following this with customizing product listings, and wrapping up by integrating payment methods will set you up for a successful online store.”

15. First things first, Then, Lastly

“First things first, Then, Lastly” delivers an informal, almost conversational way of listing steps or priorities. It suggests a clear order without sounding overly formal, making it perfect for everyday instructions or guidance.

Examples:

• “First things first, finalize the guest list for the family reunion. Then, pick a suitable venue. Lastly, create a simple schedule to keep the event flowing.”
• “First things first, review all the previous project reports. Then, outline your key milestones. Lastly, schedule regular check-ins to address any issues early on.”

Conclusion

Finding other ways to say “Firstly Secondly Thirdly” is more than just a stylistic upgrade—it transforms the way you communicate. For more polished and engaging alternatives, explore the Other Ways To Say. Try swapping those common transitions today and see how your writing instantly improves!