but foremost

USAGE SUMMARY

"but foremost" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to indicate that something is the most important or relevant part of a list of things. For example, "I enjoy painting, playing music, and reading, but foremost I love to cook."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

He is a crowd pleaser, but foremost he pleases himself.

The New York Times

Mr. Dunne was many things, but foremost and by his own account he was an arriviste.

The New York Times

But foremost was the soup, which I had never tasted before.

The New Yorker

Many things, but foremost among them a return to sovereignty over our own laws.

The Guardian

There are the tax implications, Mr. Law said, but "foremost Mr. Bacon is a conservationist.

The New York Times

But foremost the Invisible Man is a black American engaged, willy-nilly, in an often painful process of education.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Any number of things, but, first and foremost, corruption.

The New Yorker

But, first and foremost, they are "fun to drive".

The New Yorker

But first and foremost we focus on our local customers".

The New York Times - Food

But, first and foremost, they must tackle their own emissions.

The New York Times

But first and foremost, she was an artist.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "but foremost", make sure it logically follows the preceding context. Ensure that the elements you are comparing are of similar type or category to maintain coherence.

Common error

Avoid using "but foremost" when the emphasized point doesn't naturally follow or isn't clearly the most important. This can confuse readers and weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but foremost" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase. It serves to introduce the most important point following a list or discussion of other related points. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but foremost" is a versatile phrase used to emphasize the most significant point among several considerations. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It is particularly common in news and media, as well as scientific writing, and serves to guide the reader to the core message. While suitable for various contexts, ensuring the emphasized point logically follows the preceding content is crucial for clarity. Alternatives like "most importantly" and "above all" offer similar emphasis with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most importantly

Highlights the greatest importance among several points.

most of all

Stresses what is the most important or significant.

primarily

Points out the main or fundamental aspect.

principally

Similar to primarily, denoting the main reason or element.

above all

Emphasizes the supreme importance of something, placing it higher than other considerations.

chiefly

Indicates the main or principal reason or factor.

fundamentally

Indicates something is a basic or essential element.

especially

Highlights a particular aspect as being notable or significant.

particularly

Emphasizes a specific aspect or detail.

in particular

Similar to particularly, used to single out a detail.

FAQs

How can I use "but foremost" in a sentence?

Use "but foremost" to introduce the most important point after presenting a series of related ideas or considerations. For example, "The project requires dedication, skill, and creativity, but foremost, it needs strong leadership".

What are some alternatives to using "but foremost"?

You can use alternatives like "most importantly", "above all", or "primarily" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to use "first and foremost" instead of just "but foremost"?

While "first and foremost" emphasizes both the initial and primary importance, "but foremost" focuses solely on highlighting the top priority among multiple factors. The choice depends on the intended emphasis.

Which is more appropriate: "importantly" or "but foremost"?

"Importantly" simply indicates significance. "But foremost" introduces the most significant element among others. Use "but foremost" when ranking importance and you may want to consider "most importantly" in this case.