before all else

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before all else" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the importance of something that should be prioritized above everything else. Example: "Before all else, we must ensure the safety of our employees during this project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The man identifies with his money before all else.

Huffington Post

Before all else, listen.

The New York Times

But "Marx was before all else a revolutionist".

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Protecting stability comes before all else," it cautioned.

The New York Times

LeWitt's work is, famously, about ideas before all else.

The New York Times - Arts

Venturi "values before all else the actions of human beings".

The New Yorker

Shouldn't basic needs — roads, water, food, housing — be met before all else?

The New York Times - Health

"Before all else, I want what's best for the club," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

They are, before all else, teaching instruments intended for hands-on use by students and scholars.

The New York Times - Arts

It transcends economic trends because it is spiritual before all else.

The New York Times

Writing requires a similar single-mindedness, where the needs of the creator come before all else.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "before all else", ensure that the subsequent statement truly represents the highest priority, otherwise it might mislead your audience.

Common error

Avoid overusing "before all else" in close proximity. This reduces its impact and makes your writing sound repetitive. Consider varying your phrasing with alternatives like "above all else" or "primarily".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before all else" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate priority. As noted by Ludwig, it highlights what is most important or should be considered first. Its primary function is to add emphasis to a statement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "before all else" serves to highlight the utmost importance of a specific element, principle, or consideration. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely used. The phrase, while versatile, is most commonly found in news and media, emphasizing critical priorities. When employing this phrase, make sure the stated priority is indeed the most crucial, and avoid overuse for maximum impact. Alternatives such as "above all else" or "first and foremost" can offer variety. The phrase functions adverbially, adding emphasis and directing focus to what matters most.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

above all else

Emphasizes superiority in importance more strongly.

most importantly

Directly indicates the greatest importance.

first and foremost

Highlights temporal order of importance.

essentially

Points to the core or fundamental importance.

primarily

Focuses on the main aspect or concern.

principally

Highlights the main or primary reason.

in the first place

Highlights the initial priority.

to begin with

Signifies initial action or consideration.

more than anything

Emphasizes exceeding value over other things.

in essence

Focuses on the fundamental nature or core aspect.

FAQs

How can I use "before all else" in a sentence?

Use "before all else" to emphasize the most important factor or priority. For example: "Before all else, we must ensure the safety of our team."

What is a good alternative to "before all else"?

Alternatives include "above all else", "first and foremost", or "most importantly" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "before all else" formal or informal?

"Before all else" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its formality depends more on the surrounding language and situation.

What does "before all else" really mean?

It signifies that something should be considered the highest priority or most important factor, overriding other considerations.