This is my first time....

Question

I am really confused now that some patterns I have used for a long time are wrong so I would like to make sure if these sentences are odd to you native English speakers again.

1) This is my first time to eat the food.
2) This is my first time eating the food.

And it is natural to rewrite it as 'This is my first time I have ever eaten the food.'

Thank all of you so much for great help as usual.

Deadrat · Accepted Answer

You've run into some subtle English idiomatic issues here. The locution "time to [do]" often has the connotation of permission:

The time to eat oysters is in any month spelled with an "r."

(In other words, don't eat oysters in May, June, July, and August.)

The progressive present tense (with the ending -ing) means that the action is ongoing right now, so if you say "This is my first time eating oysters." it sounds like you're talking with your mouth full of oysters. Native speakers of English would understand both 1) and 2), but they themselves would probably say, "I've never eaten oysters before." Which will work before, during, and just after your first oyster.

As for "This is my first I have ever eaten oysters." you have two references to yourself in the first person -- my and I. You need only one. Better: "This is the first time I have ever eaten oysters."

Dabat · Answer

1 is wrong usage of grammar. 2 is actually how we usually say it.

This is my first time....

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