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

Let’s face it – when writing essays or organizing our thoughts, we often fall back on the same old sequencing words like “firstly secondly thirdly.” While these transitional phrases work fine, they can make your writing style feel a bit stiff and repetitive. Today, I’ll share some refreshing alternative ways to structure your points while keeping your writing engaging and professional. If you really want to know more alternatives to say “Firstly secondly thirdly”, must read it till the end.

Whether you’re diving into academic writing or crafting a casual email, these alternatives will help you enhance the flow of your ideas. Let’s explore some creative ways to present ideas that’ll make your writing stand out.

What To Say Instead of “Firstly, Secondly, Thirdly”

Here are 20 alternatives to say “firstly secondly thirdly”, you can use to make a lasting impression.

• Using Letters or Numbers
• To Begin With, Following That, Finally
• The First Step, The Next Step, The Final Step
• Initially, Subsequently, Ultimately
• To Start With, Moving Forward, In Conclusion
• First and Foremost, Furthermore, Lastly
• At the Outset, Subsequently, To Conclude
• For Starters, Next Up, To Wrap Up
• The Primary Point, The Secondary Aspect, The Final Consideration
• Beginning With, Following This, In The End
• To Start, Moving On, Finally
• First Point of Discussion, Next Consideration, Concluding Matter
• Let’s Begin With, Following That Up, To Close
• As Our Starting Point, Moving Along, In Summary
• Our Initial Focus, Subsequently, To Conclude
• Right Off The Bat, Next In Line, Wrapping Things Up
• At The Outset, Advancing Forward, In Closing
• For Our Opening Point, Moving Further, To Round Things Off
• Let’s Kick Off With, Next Up On Our List, To Bring It Home
• Our Primary Focus, Building On That, To Complete The Picture

1. Using Letters or Numbers

One of the simplest ways to organize their points is using letters or numbers. This approach works especially well for formal writing while maintaining a clear progression of ideas.

Example – Business Email:

To: marketing.team@company.com
From: sarah.chen@company.com
Subject: Q4 Marketing Strategy Updates

Dear Team,

Here are our key priorities for the upcoming quarter:

A) We’ll launch our new social media campaign across all platforms.
B) Our team will optimize website content for better SEO performance.
C) We’ll implement the customer feedback system.

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2. To Begin With, Following That, Finally

This set of linking words offers a more sophisticated approach to structure arguments while maintaining a natural flow.

Example – Project Proposal:

To: james.wilson@tech.co
From: emma.parker@tech.co
Subject: Website Redesign Phases

Hi James,

Here’s how we’ll approach the redesign:

To begin with, we’ll conduct user research and gather feedback.
Following that, our design team will create wireframes and mockups.
Finally, we’ll move into the development and testing phase.

3. The First Step, The Next Step, The Final Step

This approach works brilliantly for educational essays or instructions, creating a logical sequence that’s easy to follow.

Example – Cooking Blog Post:

Making the Perfect Sourdough Bread

The first step involves preparing your starter and letting it reach peak activity.
The next step requires mixing your dough and performing stretch-and-fold techniques.
The final step brings us to baking your loaf to golden perfection.

4. Initially, Subsequently, Ultimately

These expressions work particularly well in scholarly articles while maintaining a professional tone.

Example – Research Summary:

Initially, our study focused on participant selection and methodology.
Subsequently, we conducted extensive data analysis over six months.
Ultimately, our findings revealed significant correlations between variables.

5. To Start With, Moving Forward, In Conclusion

This set of connectors helps maintain a conversational tone while still effectively organizing information.

Example – Blog Post:

To start with, I discovered photography through my grandfather’s old camera.
Moving forward, I began taking classes and developing my style.
In conclusion, this journey has shaped my entire career path.

6. First and Foremost, Furthermore, Lastly

These transitions help emphasize the importance of key points while maintaining sophisticated prose.

Example – Company Newsletter:

First and foremost, we’re excited to announce our expansion into Asian markets.
Furthermore, we’ve secured partnerships with leading distributors.
Lastly, we’re implementing a new customer rewards program.

Read more grammar lessons on Synolinker

7. At the Outset, Subsequently, To Conclude

This combination works well for formal writing while offering a fresh take on traditional sequencing.

Example – Academic Paper:

At the outset, we must consider the historical context of this literary work.
Subsequently, we’ll analyze the author’s use of metaphor and symbolism.
To conclude, we’ll examine its impact on modern literature.

8. For Starters, Next Up, To Wrap Up

These casual alternatives work perfectly for maintaining an informal style while keeping clear organization.

Example – Team Update Email:

Hey everyone!

For starters, we crushed our Q3 goals! 🎉
Next up, we’re launching two new product features.
To wrap up, I want to thank everyone for their hard work!

9. The Primary Point, The Secondary Aspect, The Final Consideration

This approach helps structure arguments in a more sophisticated way, perfect for critical analysis.

Example – Business Analysis:

The primary point to consider is market demand.
The secondary aspect involves production capabilities.
The final consideration relates to distribution logistics.

10. Beginning With, Following This, In The End

These substitute phrases offer a smooth way to improve coherence while maintaining engaging content.

Example – Personal Statement:

Beginning with my volunteer experience at the local hospital…
Following this, I pursued my nursing degree…
In the end, these experiences shaped my career choice.

11. To Start, Moving On, Finally

This combination brings a conversational tone while maintaining a clear structure in your writing style.

Example – Client Proposal:

To: megan.roberts@designco.com
From: alex.zhang@creative.com
Subject: Brand Identity Package

Dear Megan,

To start, we’ll develop your core brand elements and color palette.
Moving on, we’ll create your brand guidelines and assets.
Finally, we’ll deliver a complete brand implementation strategy.

12. First Point of Discussion, Next Consideration, Concluding Matter

These transitional phrases work perfectly for formal writing while offering sophistication.

Example – Board Meeting Minutes:

First point of discussion: The Q1 financial results exceeded projections.
Next consideration: Market expansion opportunities in Southeast Asia.
Concluding matter: Approval of the new sustainability initiatives.

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13. Let’s Begin With, Following That Up, To Close

This approach maintains an engaging informal style while effectively helping to organize their points.

Example – Workshop Outline:

Let’s begin with understanding the basics of digital marketing.
Following that up, we’ll explore social media strategies.
To close, we’ll practice creating campaign plans.

14. As Our Starting Point, Moving Along, In Summary

These expressions help create a smooth transition between ideas while maintaining professional tone.

Example – Training Document:

As our starting point, we’ll review basic safety protocols.
Moving along, we’ll practice emergency procedures.
In summary, we’ll assess your readiness through simulations.

15. Our Initial Focus, Subsequently, To Conclude

Perfect for academic writing and scholarly articles, this combination maintains formality while avoiding stiffness.

Example – Research Presentation:

Our initial focus centers on methodology development.
Subsequently, we’ll examine the collected data.
To conclude, we’ll discuss implications for future research.

16. Right Off The Bat, Next In Line, Wrapping Things Up

These alternative ways bring a fresh, dynamic feel to your writing while maintaining clear progression.

Example – Team Updates:

Hey team!

Right off the bat, we’ve secured three new major clients!
Next in line, we’re upgrading our project management software.
Wrapping things up, we’re planning a team retreat next month.

17. At The Outset, Advancing Forward, In Closing

These linking words help enhance the flow of ideas in more formal communications.

Example – Annual Report:

At the outset, our company focused on market research.
Advancing forward, we implemented innovative solutions.
In closing, we achieved record-breaking results.

18. For Our Opening Point, Moving Further, To Round Things Off

This set helps maintain a balance between professional tone and accessibility while helping to structure arguments.

Example – Product Launch Email:

For our opening point, we’re thrilled to announce our new app features.
Moving further, we’ve enhanced user security protocols.
To round things off, we’re offering early adopter benefits.

19. Let’s Kick Off With, Next Up On Our List, To Bring It Home

These substitute phrases create an engaging, conversational tone perfect for presentations or informal communications.

Example – Project Kickoff Meeting:

Let’s kick off with our project goals and timeline.
Next up on our list, we’ll assign team responsibilities.
To bring it home, we’ll set our first milestone deadlines.

20. Our Primary Focus, Building On That, To Complete The Picture

This approach helps present ideas with clarity while maintaining sophisticated prose.

Example – Strategy Document:

Our primary focus lies in customer experience optimization.
Building on that, we’ll implement AI-driven solutions.
To complete the picture, we’ll measure ROI across all channels.

Conclusion

Using varied expressions to organize their points can significantly improve your writing’s impact. Whether you’re working on academic writing or casual correspondence, these alternatives help you maintain a clear progression while avoiding repetitive language.

Remember, the key to effective writing isn’t just about finding different methods to sequence your thoughts – it’s about choosing the right transitions that match your content’s tone and purpose. By incorporating these alternatives, you can enhance the flow of your writing while maintaining professionalism and engagement.

The next time you find yourself reaching for “firstly secondly thirdly” try one of these alternatives instead. Your readers will appreciate the variety, and your writing will benefit from improved clarity and style.

These alternatives help you maintain a natural rhythm in your writing while effectively guiding readers through your thoughts. Whether you’re crafting scholarly articles or sending a quick email, having these options at your disposal will make your writing more dynamic and engaging.

Practice using these alternatives in different contexts, and you’ll find your writing becoming more fluid and professional. Remember, good writing isn’t just about what you say – it’s about how you say it. Hopefully after reading these alternatives to “firstly secondly thirdly”, you’ll clearly know all the amazing replacements to this phrase casually used.