first prize v.s. the first prize

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

Hi,

I thought that “win the first prize” is right until today while doing some English exercise I came upon this one “win first prize”.

So, what would you choose?

If both are acceptible, could you explain the difference?

Thanks !

2

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I would choose ‘I won First Prize’-- it is usually the name of the prize.
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3

I see. Thanks alot !

4

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Adding the word ‘the’ tends to suggest ‘the first’ in the sense that it was the first in a series of prizes that were awarded (i.e. the opposite of the final prize) and that would not necessarily be a prize for being better than all the rest.
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