First, Second, Last and Next

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First, Second, Last and Next

In this lesson, you can say how many people there are and their order.

Created by , British English teacher.

I’m studying:

Try the activities, then check your answers.

Choose a short recording.

Before you start

Count three people, then say who is first.

See one possible response

There are three people. Eva is first.

You are reading the order of short presentations at a community event. Positions tell you when each person speaks.

What you will practise
  • Say how many people there are and their order.
  • Use the or my with a position word.
  • Say which item is last and which is next.

Say your answer. Then check the model. Your answer can be different if it fits the task.

Count or put in order

One, two and three count things. First, second and third show a position. One talk means a quantity; the first talk means the talk at the start. Learn the whole phrase with its noun.

There are three talks.

The first talk starts at ten.

Two formal event organisers review exactly three differently coloured programme cards laid in a clear sequence beside a small lectern. Each card represents one talk. The woman counts the three with a precise finger gesture and the man listens attentively. No legible words inside the artwork.
There are three talks.Three counts how many events there are.

Use the or a possessive

We often use the before a position: the second room. A possessive can take its place: my first class, our next meeting. Do not put the and my together in these phrases.

Our first guest is here.

The third speaker is ready.

Keep the phrase in this order

A possessive identifies the classmy → first → class

This is my first class.

The identifies the speakerthe → third → speaker

The third speaker is ready.

In these phrases, choose my or the before the position word. Do not combine them as the my first class.

Last and next

Last can show the final position in a stated group. Next shows what comes after the current thing. In a programme, the last talk is the final talk and the next talk follows this one. Keep the reference clear.

This is the last question.

The next speaker is outside.

The same organisers point to the first of those three programme cards, set at the front of the clear sequence, beside a clock showing exactly ten oclock. Their expectant expressions indicate a scheduled first talk that has not begun. No additional cards or event audience.
The first talk starts at ten.Ordinal words show positions within this stated programme.

Guided practice

Say or write your answer first. Then compare the meaning and grammar with the model.

1. Does three rooms tell us how many rooms or which position?

Compare a model and explanation

How many rooms.

Three is a counting number.

Accept a grammatical alternative that satisfies the stated prompt and this item’s explanation; the model is not an exhaustive exact-string key.

2. Complete: The talk at the start is the ___ talk.

Compare a model and explanation

The talk at the start is the first talk.

First gives the opening position.

Accept a grammatical alternative that satisfies the stated prompt and this item’s explanation; the model is not an exhaustive exact-string key.

3. Order: first / my / class.

Compare a model and explanation

my first class

My comes before first; no the is needed.

Accept a grammatical alternative that satisfies the stated prompt and this item’s explanation; the model is not an exhaustive exact-string key.

4. Correct: This is the my second visit.

Compare a model and explanation

This is my second visit.

My takes the determiner place in this phrase.

Accept a grammatical alternative that satisfies the stated prompt and this item’s explanation; the model is not an exhaustive exact-string key.

5. Order: Ana, Ben, Cara. Who is the second person? Answer in a sentence.

Compare a model and explanation

Ben is the second person.

Ben comes after Ana and before Cara.

Accept a grammatical alternative that satisfies the stated prompt and this item’s explanation; the model is not an exhaustive exact-string key.

6. There are four pages. You are on page four. Describe it with last.

Compare a model and explanation

This is the last page.

Page four is final in this stated set.

Accept a grammatical alternative that satisfies the stated prompt and this item’s explanation; the model is not an exhaustive exact-string key.

7. Order: music, talk, break. The music has just finished. What comes next?

Compare a model and explanation

The talk is next.

The talk follows the music in the supplied order.

Accept a grammatical alternative that satisfies the stated prompt and this item’s explanation; the model is not an exhaustive exact-string key.

8. A programme has two speakers: Eva, then Jo. Describe both positions.

Compare a model and explanation

Eva is the first speaker. Jo is the second and last speaker.

With only two speakers, the second is also the last.

Accept a grammatical alternative that satisfies the stated prompt and this item’s explanation; the model is not an exhaustive exact-string key.

A short conversation

Listen to the exchange, then take one role. The speaker labels identify roles; do not narrate them.

Open the conversation transcript

Visitor: Is this your first visit?

Member: No, it’s my second. Who is the first speaker?

Visitor: Karim. The next speaker is Eva.

Member: Good. I have a question for Eva.

Listening checks

Listen to each extract, then choose the best answer. These three questions have their own score.

1. What does first tell you?
Read the listening transcript

There are three classes today. My first class is at eight.

2. Who speaks second?
Read the listening transcript

The speakers are Jo, Mina and Pat, in that order. Pat is the last speaker.

3. What happens after the walk?
Read the listening transcript

The first activity is a walk. The next activity is lunch. Lunch is the last activity today.

Answer key with explanations

  1. What does first tell you?

    The position of one class.: First identifies the class at the start, not the total.

    Compare all choices
    • The position of one class.: First identifies the class at the start, not the total.
    • That there is only one class.: The speaker says there are three.
    • That every class starts at eight.: Only the first start time is given.

  2. Who speaks second?

    Mina.: Mina is between Jo and Pat in the order.

    Compare all choices
    • Pat.: Pat is last, in third position.
    • Mina.: Mina is between Jo and Pat in the order.
    • Jo.: Jo is first.

  3. What happens after the walk?

    Lunch.: Lunch is explicitly next.

    Compare all choices
    • Another walk.: No second walk is stated.
    • A class.: No class is in the programme.
    • Lunch.: Lunch is explicitly next.

Mastery quiz

Choose the best answer for each situation. The score is out of eight.

1. You want to say how many visitors there are. Choose the quantity.
2. Choose the person in position one.
3. Choose the natural phrase.
4. Complete: ___ third room is open.
5. Order: Alex, Bea, Cam. Who is second?
6. A list has six names. Name six is the final name. Choose its description.
7. A film finishes, and a discussion follows immediately. Which is next?
8. Two visits: one in May, one in June. Describe June.
Answer key with explanations

  1. You want to say how many visitors there are. Choose the quantity.

    There are two visitors.: Two counts visitors.

    Compare all choices
    • The second visitor is here.: This identifies a position, not the total.
    • The next visitor is here.: Next gives a sequence relation, not a count.
    • There are two visitors.: Two counts visitors.

  2. Choose the person in position one.

    the first person: First means position one.

    Compare all choices
    • the first person: First means position one.
    • the second person: Second means position two.
    • the one person firsts: This does not form the target phrase.

  3. Choose the natural phrase.

    my first lesson: My comes before first without the.

    Compare all choices
    • the my first lesson: Do not combine the and my here.
    • my first lesson: My comes before first without the.
    • first my lesson: My belongs before the position word.

  4. Complete: ___ third room is open.

    The: The identifies the room by position.

    Compare all choices
    • Me: Me is not a determiner before third room.
    • A my: These determiners do not combine.
    • The: The identifies the room by position.

  5. Order: Alex, Bea, Cam. Who is second?

    Bea.: Bea occupies position two.

    Compare all choices
    • Bea.: Bea occupies position two.
    • Alex.: Alex is first.
    • Cam.: Cam is third.

  6. A list has six names. Name six is the final name. Choose its description.

    the last name on the list: Last identifies the final position.

    Compare all choices
    • a seventh name: The list has only six names.
    • the last name on the list: Last identifies the final position.
    • the first name on the list: First is the opening position.

  7. A film finishes, and a discussion follows immediately. Which is next?

    The discussion.: It follows the current activity.

    Compare all choices
    • The film again.: A repeat is not stated.
    • Nothing.: The discussion is explicitly scheduled next.
    • The discussion.: It follows the current activity.

  8. Two visits: one in May, one in June. Describe June.

    My second visit is in June.: June is the second of the two stated visits.

    Compare all choices
    • My second visit is in June.: June is the second of the two stated visits.
    • My first visit is in June.: May is the first visit.
    • The my second visit is in June.: Remove the before my.

Use it in your own words

Give an order

Name three simple activities and put them in order.

Reveal a possible response

The first activity is music. The second is a talk. The third is lunch.

  • I use position words.
  • My order is clear.

Choose your own suitable activities.

Talk about an experience

Invent a first or second visit to a place. Add one simple detail.

Reveal a possible response

This is my second visit to the club. My first visit was fun.

  • I use my without the.
  • The position matches my story.

A present-only answer is also acceptable when past be is unfamiliar.

Put it all together

Organise a small exhibition with three short talks. Name the first speaker, the next speaker and the last speaker, then change the second speaker.

Reveal a possible response

The first speaker is Hana. The next speaker is Ben. The last speaker is Joel. Ben is away, so the second speaker is now Lucy.

  • I keep positions clear.
  • I use the or a possessive correctly.
  • I update the changed position.

This is a new exhibition programme. Other names and clear orders are welcome.

Take it with you

Numbers count things. First and second give their position. Last means the final one; next means the following one.