Hi_there_carl: first time (continued)

[joham]

Dear Hi_there_carl,
Thank you very much. With your help, I got to know what the difference is between 'for the first time' and 'the first time'. The following sentences come from dictionaries. Could we put a 'the' before the adverbial 'first time'?

I'm not really expecting to pass first time. (Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary, 6th edition, pass12)

A student may retake the exam if s/he does not pass first time. (Macmillan English Dictionary for Advanced Learners, s/he)

Don't worry if you can't manage first time. It'll come with practice.(Macmillan English Dictionary for Advanced Learners, practice)

You should pass the test first time, but we can't guarantee.(Macmillan English Dictionary for Advanced Learners, guarantee)

[Hi_there_Carl]

I was taught that the definite article is used before singular and plural nouns when the noun is specific or particular. First time is a specific noun phrase and therefore requires the article "the" be placed before it. In common usage in North America the following would be correct.

I'm not really expecting to pass the first time.

A student may retake the exam if s/he does not pass the first time.

Don't worry if you can't manage the first time. It'll come with practice.

You should pass the test the first time, but we can't guarantee.