above all things else

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "above all things else" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the importance of something over everything else. Example: "Above all things else, we must prioritize the safety of our employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Poets, those scribes of an ancient craft who happen to possess a strong tendency to respect the traditional, fear the unsurpassable, unbeatable Shakespeare above all things else.

Independent

Hockney wanted above all things else to be a modern painter, and he was forever fearful of the fact that his impulses as an artist were not quite modern enough.

Independent

He launched his campaign by writing an editorial for the student newspaper about the qualifications necessary to lead the team: "The president must, above all things else, be a man of unbiased judgment, energy, determination, intelligence, moral courage, conscience".

The New Yorker

He is above all things else a painter of the human figure, but his treatment of the human is far removed from that of a painter like Lucian Freud.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

She admired exactitude of expression above almost all things else.

The Economist

Trial lawyers know that one thing above all else decides criminal cases: the facts.

The Washington Post

As president of Polygram Video, Bill Sondheim appreciated one thing above all else about performing-arts titles.

The New York Times

In return, al-Qaida's leadership demanded one thing above all else: loyalty.

The Guardian

Given the country's massive unemployment, particularly among youth, that means one thing above all else: jobs.

The New York Times

If Obama used his speech for one thing above all else it was to unify people around a common cause.

The Guardian - Opinion

Inventive and eco-friendly, Ban said that if chosen he wanted his building to do one thing above all else: "Stay in the minds of people forever".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "above all things else" to clearly signal the single most important factor or consideration in a given situation. For example, "When choosing a leader, above all things else, look for integrity."

Common error

While effective for emphasis, overuse can dilute its impact. Reserve "above all things else" for truly paramount considerations to maintain its significance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "above all things else" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to emphasize the supreme importance of something. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Wiki

14%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "above all things else" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to highlight the supreme importance of a specific consideration. Ludwig confirms its validity. It functions as an adverbial modifier, emphasizing prioritization in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While versatile, it's best reserved for truly paramount situations to maintain its impact. Alternatives such as ""most importantly"" or ""primarily"" can provide similar emphasis. The phrase carries a neutral register, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most importantly

This alternative focuses directly on highlighting the greatest importance.

more than anything else

Similar to the original phrase but with a slightly different structure and emphasis.

primarily

This term emphasizes the main or principal aspect.

foremost

This option stresses being first in importance or rank.

chiefly

This highlights the principal or most important reason or element.

principally

Similar to 'primarily', it denotes the main aspect or factor.

essentially

This conveys the fundamental or crucial nature of something.

fundamentally

This underscores the basic or essential nature of something.

in essence

This alternative captures the core or most important aspect.

at the heart of the matter

This phrase points to the most crucial part of an issue.

FAQs

What does "above all things else" mean?

The phrase "above all things else" means more than anything else or most importantly. It is used to emphasize the supreme importance of something.

How can I use "above all things else" in a sentence?

You can use "above all things else" to highlight the most crucial aspect of a situation. For example, "Above all things else, we need to ensure the safety of our team."

What phrases are similar to "above all things else"?

Alternatives to "above all things else" include "most importantly", "primarily", or "more than anything else".

Is it okay to use "above all else" instead of "above all things else"?

Yes, "above all else" is a shorter and equally valid alternative to "above all things else". The meaning remains the same.