Of utmost importance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "of utmost importance" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is extremely significant or crucial in a sentence. Example: The safety of our guests is of utmost importance to us, so we always ensure that our facilities are well-maintained and up to code.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Of utmost importance was fire.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Of utmost importance is the evaluation of the DRUJ.

Strategies in Trauma and Limb Reconstruction

Of utmost importance?

Huffington Post

Family is of utmost importance.

The New York Times

That is of utmost importance.

The New York Times - Sports

For Wales, our relationship with England is of utmost importance.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Quality is of utmost importance to the director.

The New York Times

"All social media is of utmost importance," he says.

The Guardian - Tech

"It also creates confusion on a matter of utmost importance.

The New York Times

"This league is of utmost importance for us.

The Guardian - Sport

The last forkful is of utmost importance to me.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing the phrase "of utmost importance", ensure the context clearly explains why the subject is so critical. This provides clarity and reinforces the message.

Common error

Avoid using "of utmost importance" for tasks or items that are only moderately important. Overusing it dilutes its impact and diminishes its true meaning. Reserve it for genuinely critical situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "of utmost importance" functions as a predicative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun or noun phrase, indicating that the modified element is extremely significant or crucial. Ludwig's examples show its use in various contexts to emphasize critical aspects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "of utmost importance" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to emphasize the critical nature of something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage across diverse contexts, particularly in scientific, news, and formal business domains. While alternatives exist to provide variety, "of utmost importance" effectively conveys a high degree of significance. Remember to reserve it for genuinely critical situations to maintain its impact. Considering its prevalence, understanding its proper usage is beneficial for clear and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Critically important

Directly emphasizes the critical nature, reducing the phrase to two words.

Fundamentally vital

Replaces "utmost" with "fundamentally" and "importance" with "vital" to emphasize a basic necessity.

Absolutely essential

Uses a more assertive tone to indicate necessity and replace "importance" with "essential".

Paramount significance

Substitutes "utmost importance" with a noun phrase emphasizing supreme significance.

Vitally crucial

Combines two strong adjectives to underscore the life-or-death nature of the matter.

Top priority

Simplifies the expression to a common term indicating something should be handled before anything else.

Indispensable

Conveys that something is so crucial that it cannot be done without.

Highly imperative

Emphasizes the urgent and mandatory nature of the situation.

Supremely critical

Highlights the severe and decisive nature, suggesting it could determine success or failure.

A matter of life and death

Emphasizes severe consequences if something is not handled with due diligence and care.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "of utmost importance" in a sentence?

To effectively use "of utmost importance", place it before the subject you wish to emphasize. For example, "The safety of our employees is "of utmost importance"" highlights that employee safety is a top priority.

What are some alternatives to "of utmost importance"?

You can use alternatives such as "critically important", "absolutely essential", or "paramount significance" to convey a similar meaning.

When is it appropriate to use "of utmost importance"?

It is appropriate to use "of utmost importance" when describing something that is crucial, essential, and critical to the success or well-being of a situation. It's best used when the subject at hand needs to be emphasized over other considerations.

What distinguishes "of utmost importance" from other similar phrases?

"Of utmost importance" conveys a higher degree of significance than merely saying something is "important". While other phrases indicate value, "of utmost importance" stresses that the subject is critical, fundamental, and cannot be overlooked. Consider alternatives like "of great importance" or "highly relevant" depending on the level of emphasis required.