The Correct Phrasing of “First Come First Served”

When it comes to expressing the principle of providing services or opportunities to those who arrive first, a common confounding question arises: should the phrase be first come first serve or first come first served? The correct phrasing is first come first served, and understanding why will shed light on the grammatical and conventional nuances of this expression.

Common Mistakes and Usages

One might come across both first come first serve and first come first served in various contexts. However, the latter is more commonly written than spoken. There are instances where casual speech might omit the past participle, but for formal and grammatically accurate usage, first come first served is the way to go.

Correct Usage and Grammar

First come first served is a conventional expression that indicates the principle of prioritizing based on arrival time. Grammatically, this phrase necessitates the use of the past participle in both parts. This is derived from the original Latin phrasing: [He who is the] first [to] come [will be the] first [to be] served. While it might seem logical to use the past tense came as a replacement, this doesn't align with the future-oriented nature of the expression.

The phrase is not a sentence, but a conditional statement expressing a general rule rather than a specific past event. For a full sentence, the rephrasing would be The first who have come are the first who are served. Here, the first part uses the present perfect tense have come and the passive mood are served. This distinction is crucial because come is an intransitive verb, and the passive form requires a transitive verb's object as the subject of the new sentence.

Common Misconceptions and Their Justification

Some might argue that in casual speech, dropping the d from served is acceptable, such as first come first serve. While this might be understandable in a loud, brief verbal announcement, such as in a buffet line, it is not in line with formal and grammatically accurate usage. Hungry diners typically have more pressing matters to attend to than debating grammatical correctness.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In conclusion, the phrase first come first served is the correct and most conventional way to express the principle of prioritizing based on arrival time. This usage aligns with grammatical accuracy and the conventional way in which this concept is communicated in everyday life and formal settings. By understanding the nuances of this phrase, we can ensure clear and effective communication of such principles.