being top of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being top of" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in informal contexts to imply being at the highest position or level in a certain area, but it is not widely accepted. Example: "She has always dreamed of being top of her class."

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Being top of mind is critically important.

Columbia University

I loved being top of the class.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"We're generally recognised as being top of the league.

The Guardian

Bruce said afterwards: "Being top of the league has its own expectations.

The Guardian - Sport

Our form doesn't warrant being top of the league but we are finding ways to win".

The Guardian - Sport

I have always seen my parents' long marriage as many things, adventure-full being top of the list.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Many things in life cannot be reduced to money – love and the wonders of nature being top of the list.

The Guardian

But, thanks to workers such as Mr Crisler, efforts to unionise the foreign "transplants" have got nowhere, despite being top of the UAW's agenda.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

LGBTQ, being top-of-the-range, clearly also contains quinoa.

The Guardian

After all, publications such as The New York Times, have found tremendous benefit in being top-of-mind with readership by offering daily news briefings.

Forbes

"By being top-of-mind for your mentors, they're going to subsequently give more," he said.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more formal alternatives like "being at the top of" or "leading in" when writing for academic or professional contexts to enhance clarity and precision.

Common error

Avoid using "being top of" excessively in formal writing. While common, it can sound less professional than alternatives such as "leading" or "excelling in". Choose the phrasing that best matches the tone and audience of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being top of" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a noun or verb to indicate a position of leadership or superiority. It is used to describe the state of leading or excelling in a particular field or competition. As Ludwig indicates, its usage, while common, is viewed by some as less formal than alternatives.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

18%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "being top of" is a commonly used expression to indicate a leading position or state of excellence. While its meaning is widely understood, it leans toward informality and may not always be the most precise choice for academic or professional contexts. Ludwig examples show its prevalence in news and media, with acceptable, though potentially less formal, usage. Consider using alternatives like "leading" or "excelling" for a more polished tone. The phrase serves to emphasize achievement and success, and while grammatically acceptable, careful consideration should be given to the intended audience and register of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in first place

Directly indicates the highest rank in a competition.

at the summit of

Focuses on the physical or metaphorical peak.

at the pinnacle of

Highlights the highest point of achievement.

at the head of

Implies leadership or being in charge.

pre-eminent in

Focuses on surpassing others in importance or reputation.

leading the pack

Suggests being ahead in a competition or race.

at the crest of

Implies being at the highest point of a wave or trend.

sitting atop

Emphasizes a position of dominance or superiority.

ruling over

Suggests control or governance.

supreme in

Indicates the highest authority or power.

FAQs

What does "being top of" mean?

The phrase "being top of" generally means being in the highest position or rank within a specific context, such as a class, league, or list. It implies a state of leadership or superiority.

Is "being top of" grammatically correct?

While widely used, the phrase "being top of" might be considered less formal. More grammatically precise alternatives include "being at the top of" or other similar phrases that provide greater clarity.

How can I use "being top of" in a sentence?

You can use "being top of" to describe someone or something in a leading position. For example, "Being top of the league requires consistent performance" or "She enjoys being top of her class."

What are some alternatives to "being top of"?

Alternatives to "being top of" include "leading in", "excelling in", or "at the forefront of", depending on the specific context and the desired level of formality.