At foremost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at foremost" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a relatively uncommon phrase that means foremost, or first and foremost. For example: "At foremost, our goal is to provide excellent customer service in all our products and services."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

They are available at Foremost Furniture, 8 West 30th Street, (866) 694-667866

The New York Times

The folks at Foremost will design one outfit per gender each month, which will consist of three to five items that will each be priced around $50 or below.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"What we've got to look at first and foremost is getting a victory," said the defence coach.

BBC

Whether we are coming up with a feature or improving something, we always look at, first and foremost, how does that relate to some desire or some thought process that the user has.

Huffington Post

These countries were selected for two reasons: at first and foremost, they represent a range of different health systems and economic and geopolitical conditions in Europe that made it possible to analyse both general trends and specific determinants of new modes of control.

BMC Health Services Research

RP is located at the rostral end of the notochord [ 6] at the foremost limit of the gut endoderm [ 7] and marks the posterior limit of the neural crest-derived territories in the skull base [ 8, 9].

BMC Biology

This is not how it is in England, particularly at our foremost footballing institution, where Sir Alex Ferguson seeks to control the environment at Manchester United by keeping the media out as far as he can.

Independent

A posterior one was made at the foremost point of articular eminence while an anterior one was made at 15 mm in front of the posterior line.

Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

"This" is, in short, every reason you ever wanted a penthouse apartment on Fifth Avenue: unobstructed views of the sunset, Central Park and the skyline at night foremost among them.

The New York Times

We want to focus on other areas…maybe once, like you, have overcome some of these challenges, we can begin to look at other ones, but as of now the fact remains that this issue is not really an issue that is at the foremost minds of Kenyans and that is a fact".

Independent

Integration and placement is based on a set of criteria and the experience of our users is always at the foremost of our minds.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more common and widely recognized alternatives like "first and foremost" or "most importantly" to ensure clarity and avoid potential misinterpretations.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "at foremost" might sound stilted or unnatural in formal writing. Opt for more conventional phrases like "primarily" or "above all" for a smoother, more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at foremost" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or clause, indicating the highest priority or importance. It sets the stage for what follows as being of primary concern, much like the phrase 'first and foremost'. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at foremost" is a grammatically sound but uncommon phrase used to emphasize priority or importance. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. While it appears in various contexts like news and scientific articles, alternatives such as "first and foremost" or "most importantly" are generally preferred for enhanced clarity and wider recognition. When writing, consider your audience and the desired level of formality before opting for "at foremost".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

First and foremost

This alternative is a more emphatic and common way to express the same idea.

Most importantly

This alternative underlines the greatest significance.

Primarily

This alternative is a single-word adverb that directly conveys the sense of being first or most important.

Above all

This alternative emphasizes the supreme importance of something over everything else.

Of greatest importance

This alternative is a more descriptive phrase highlighting the supreme value.

Principally

This alternative focuses on the main or chief aspect of something.

Chiefly

This alternative stresses the main reason or element.

In the first place

This alternative highlights the initial or foundational aspect.

Predominantly

This alternative emphasizes prevalence or dominance.

For the most part

This alternative indicates the majority or principal part.

FAQs

How can I use "at foremost" in a sentence?

While grammatically correct, "at foremost" is uncommon. A sentence could be: "At foremost, the company prioritizes customer satisfaction."

What phrases are similar to "at foremost"?

Alternatives to "at foremost" include "most importantly", "primarily", or "first and foremost".

Is "at foremost" considered formal or informal?

"At foremost" can lean towards formal, but more common alternatives are preferred. Consider context when choosing this phrase.

What's a more common way to express "at foremost"?

A more common way to express the same sentiment is "first and foremost", which is widely recognized and understood.