First, Second, Third, and Finally

Question

Is it grammatically correct to sequence paragraphs using First, Second, Third, and Finally?

If not, is there a good word that replaces Finally? Starting a paragraph with Final doesn't sound correct. I could change all of the other words (e.g., First becomes Firstly), but I prefer the shorter versions. Last is the best replacement I can come up with, but it doesn't sound as fluid as Finally.

Forgive me for my painful-to-read example paragraphs. I'm not the most creative human being.

First, I grabbed a spoon.
  
  Second, I ate the cereal.
  
  Third, I drank the milk.
  
  Finally, I tossed the bowl in the dish washer.

Cerberus_Reinstate_Monica · Accepted Answer

Yes, first, second...finally is fine, as is ...lastly. And firstly, secondly...finally/lastly is also fine. I would probably refrain from using ?last or *final.

Note that the (most) traditional sequence is first, secondly, thirdly...lastly; don't be afraid of "inconsistencies" in idiom! See my earlier answer on ELL and Fowler's Modern English Usage (3rd edition).

The Oxford English Dictionary on firstly:

Used only in enumerating heads, topics, etc. in discourse; and many writers prefer first, even though closely followed by secondly, thirdly, etc.

Burchfield in Fowler's Modern English Usage on first:

tobyink · Answer

The following seem to fit into your example:

Lastly...
Last...
And in the end...
To finish...

Mari-Lou A · Answer

If you feel awkward starting paragraphs with firstly, secondly etc. consider the following expressions as suitable equivalents.

Initially / To begin with OR to start with (less formal) = First(ly)
Then / next / after that / afterwards = later
In addition / additionally = Second(ly)
Furthermore / moreover OR What's more (less formal) = Third(ly)
In conclusion / lastly OR in the end (less formal)= Finally

To start with, I grabbed a spoon.
Then I took a bowl and filled it with cereal
Next, I poured some milk into my bowl.
Afterwards I began to eat my cereal and when I'd finished, I drank the milk.
In the end, I tossed the bowl in the dishwasher.

First, Second, Third, and Finally

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