SpaceX becomes first private company to launch humans into orbit. Source
Is it correct to use "the first" or "a first" here？What's the difference among them if so?
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1In a title (newspaper style), they often leave out the the which would not be left out in writing.– LambieCommented May 31, 2020 at 13:33
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Does this answer your question? "No smoking allowed" or "No smoking is allowed"?– Jason BassfordCommented May 31, 2020 at 16:42
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Although the specific grammar is different, it's still essentially the same question as the one referenced in the previous comment. In headlinese, various parts of grammar are omitted.– Jason BassfordCommented May 31, 2020 at 16:43
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2 Answers
"SpaceX becomes first private company to launch humans into orbit"
Sounds like a media headline. And headlines often shorten language that way. The whole sentence sounds very unnatural in any other context.
"The first" because there is only one "first" being referred to.
You could write, "SpaceX launched humans into orbit, a first for the company," but that would be specifically limiting it to SpaceX -- it would still be true if a dozen private companies had launched humans into orbit already.
