Firstly, At first or First of All!

[Anonymous]

Hi everyone, I am English and help German children with their English. I was asked by a young boy this evening how he would remember whether it's: Firstly, At first, or First of all.! Couldn't answer! Anyone help me please?!I would be very grateful.

 

[MikeNewYork]

Hi everyone, I am English and help German children with their English. I was asked by a young boy this evening how he would remember whether it's: Firstly, At first, or First of all.! Couldn't answer! Anyone help me please?!I would be very grateful.

Both "firstly" and "first of all" are used when there is a list or subsequent events. "First" is used like that as well.

First/firstly/first of all I will cover idioms; second/secondly/second of all I will discuss cliches.

All of these mean "in the first place" or "to begin with".

"At first", means "initially", "at the start".

At first, I thought she was stealing money from me, then I found out she was actually stealing merchandise.

Does that help?