Over and above all

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Over and above all" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to emphasize that something is more important than everything else mentioned. Example: "Over and above all, we must prioritize safety in our operations." Alternative expressions include "Above all" and "Most importantly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Over and above all, one hopes to meet authentic form and content: stories that are often unwritten for the singular 'folly' of being unusual or unmarketeable.

The Guardian - Books

Over and above all of the cuts in this parliament and the £8.5bn planned for the year after the election, under current plans there is still another £37bn of fiscal pain to come after that.

The Guardian

Over and above all this, of course, is London itself.

The Guardian

Over and above all these easy checks, there is one that is yet to fail me.

TechCrunch

Over and above all these factors, within cells, 11β-HSD acts as a major determinant of glucocorticoid access to receptors in peripheral tissues (reviewed in [65,239]).

Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology

It can be quite costly for us when a child prodigy goes over and above all expectations". The firm apparently receives thousands of such requests a year.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

By that I do not mean extreme militarism or a love of silly hats, or even a shared tendency to autism when it comes to understanding the perceptions of other countries, but rather certain structural features in both the Wilhemine and the US system tending to produce over-ambition, and above all a chronic incapacity to choose between diametrically opposite goals.

The Guardian - Books

But looming over, above and all round it is a frightening Frankenstein-like big brother.

The Guardian - Arts

Filmed in an almost documentary manner, the violence seems both over-the-top and unremarkable--and, above all, real.

The New Yorker

But differences over Iran, Egypt and, above all, Syria — which has become something of a personal mission for Saudi King Abdullah — linger, leaving the alliance that has underpinned the balance of power in the Middle East for decades still fraught.

The Washington Post

The Bible scholar Louis Painchaud has said that the current fad for rehabilitating Judas is a consequence of collective guilt over these slanders and, above all, over the Holocaust.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Over and above all" to introduce the most significant aspect after discussing several other factors, ensuring your key point stands out.

Common error

Avoid using "Over and above all" when simply adding another point to a list. This phrase is designed to highlight supreme importance, not just additional information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Over and above all" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically used as an adverbial phrase to modify a clause or sentence. It serves to emphasize the supreme importance of what follows. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "Over and above all" is a grammatically correct and frequently used prepositional phrase designed to emphasize the paramount importance of a particular point. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and identifies its common usage across news, scientific, and academic contexts. When writing, remember to reserve this phrase for the most significant aspect you wish to highlight, rather than using it as a simple additive element. Alternatives such as ""above all else"" or ""most importantly"" can provide similar emphasis with slight variations in tone. Consider the register of your writing, as this phrase, while versatile, suits neutral to slightly formal contexts best.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Above all else

This alternative is more concise, focusing directly on the supreme importance of something.

Most importantly

This option provides a direct and emphatic alternative.

Beyond all other considerations

This alternative emphasizes that something is more important than any other factors.

More importantly than anything else

This alternative explicitly emphasizes the greater significance of a specific point.

Over and beyond everything

This is a near synonym adding a sense of going further than expectations or usual requirements.

Of utmost importance

This version stresses the exceptional significance of something.

Foremost

This alternative highlights the most prominent or important factor.

Primarily

This alternative is a single word and directly highlights the key aspect.

Paramountly

This alternative conveys the idea of ultimate importance or superiority.

In the first place

This version highlights the primary aspect or condition.

FAQs

How can I use "Over and above all" in a sentence?

Use "Over and above all" to emphasize the most critical point after you've mentioned other considerations. For example, "We need to improve our efficiency, reduce costs, and, "above all else", ensure customer satisfaction."

What phrases are similar to "Over and above all"?

Similar phrases include "above all else", "most importantly", and "primarily". Choose the one that best fits the tone and context of your writing.

Is it redundant to say "Over and above all else"?

While "Over and above all else" is not grammatically incorrect, it can be considered slightly redundant since ""above all else"" already implies that nothing is more important.

When is it appropriate to use "Over and above all" instead of "In addition to"?

"Over and above all" is used to emphasize a point's supreme importance, whereas "in addition to" simply adds another item to a list without prioritizing it. If you want to highlight the most critical factor, use "Over and above all."