secondly
part of speech
adverb (secondly)
meaning for a pupil
1) Secondly means «in the second place» and is used to give the second point in a list of reasons or steps, after «firstly» or «first». tree →
2) It helps a reader or listener follow an argument step by step. tree →
sense in the lessons
In English lessons it is a linking word (a connective) for writing explanations, arguments and instructions: firstly, secondly, thirdly, finally. In maths it helps explain methods: «Firstly, add the tens; secondly, add the ones.» Phrases: firstly … secondly … finally; and secondly.
examples
- Firstly, wash your hands; secondly, put on your apron. tree →
- I can't come, firstly because I'm ill and secondly because it's raining. tree →
- Secondly, multiply the answer by three. tree →
- Schools should have longer breaks: firstly, we need exercise; secondly, we learn better after playing. tree →
- Secondly, the knight rescued the dragon instead of fighting it. tree →
- In my persuasive letter, I wrote my second reason after «secondly». tree →
- Secondly, check your answer by doing the opposite operation. tree →
note
Use «secondly» or «second» to start the second point; both are correct. Put a comma after it at the start of a sentence. It does not mean «in a second» (quickly). Do not mix «first» with «secondly» in careful writing; use «firstly … secondly» or «first … second».
In the corpora
- Secondly, exercise helps learning.
- In non-fiction, headings, subheadings and signposts such as "Firstly, secondly, finally" organise the text.
Trees and pragmatics
Every meaning and example of «secondly» parsed by Mova, each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.