first prize v.s. the first prize

[Lost_Soul]

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?

[Mister Micawber]

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I would choose 'I won First Prize'-- it is usually the name of the prize.
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_________________
Canadian-American native speaker
who teaches English for a living at Mister Micawber's
ESL cafe: Interview with Mr. Micawber

[Lost_Soul]

I see. Thanks alot !

[Yankee]

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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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