[General] first or the first

Can I say: "He was first to (do something)" or should I always say: "He was THE first to (do something)"?
I mean, not "the first person to (do)...", but "(THE?) first to (do)".
Such an essential and basic issue, but keeps bothering me.
Thank you!

It would be correct to say "was the first to do something".

Welcome to the forum, mrtke.

mrtke said:

Can I say: "He was first to (do something)" or should I always say: "He was THE first to (do something)"?

It's such an essential and basic issue, but it keeps bothering me.

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Both versions are correct.

Rover_KE said:

Both versions are correct.

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Is that absolutely correct to say, e.g. "Mike was first to reach the shore?"

mrtke said:

Is [STRIKE]that[/STRIKE] it [STRIKE]absolutely[/STRIKE] (tautologous) correct to say, e.g. "Mike was first to reach the shore"?

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Since you've been told that both "first" and "the first" are correct in your first post, what do you think?

emsr2d2 said:

Since you've been told that both "first" and "the first" are correct in your first post, what do you think?

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Oh, dear.
Once I was told something else (that "the first..." was the only correct version).

Then I learnt both versions are correct.

I wouldn't have asked if I was sure, but I'm not - why the aggression?

I sensed no aggression — maybe a touch of exasperation at having to answer the same question twice.

I find the one without "the" off. Maybe personal opinion but maybe an AmE/BrE difference?

'Someone was first to do something.'
'Someone was happy to do something.'
Both are correct because both 'first' and 'happy' are adjectives.
Am I right or wrong? Not a teacher.