first-string players

Meanings

1. 1nounpluralsport

   The regular starting players on a sports team, as opposed to substitutes or backups.

   Grammar: Plural noun; the singular is 'first-string player'. Use it for a group, not one person.

   Patterns

   • the first-string players
   • start as first-string players
   • first-string players in something

   The coach rested several first-string players before the final.

   Without their first-string players, the team struggled to score.

   He was one of the first-string players until he injured his knee.

2. 2nounpluralfigurative

   The most important or reliable members of any group or organization.

   Grammar: Figurative use; often in business or informal writing. Takes a plural verb.

   Patterns

   • the first-string players in something
   • be among the first-string players

   In the negotiations, she was one of the first-string players on our side.

   The company's first-string players were sent to handle the crisis.

Word forms

Common combinations

first-string players

The first-string players wore red jerseys in practice.

second-string players

The second-string players got more game time this season.

start as first-string players

Both rookies started as first-string players in their first year.

Synonyms and how they differ

starters

More common in everyday speech; 'starters' is shorter and used especially in basketball and soccer.

regulars

Focuses on habit or routine rather than official team status.

Opposites

Word family

first-string adjective

Describing a player or team as the regular starting one.

Commonly confused: first-string players or first team?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “first-string players”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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