chief among

USAGE SUMMARY

"chief among" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to highlight the most significant or important item in a given group or range of items. For example: "Chief among her many talents was her gift for public speaking."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Chief among these is retailing.

The Economist

Chief among them was (1939).

Britannica

Chief among Wichita State's concerns?

The New York Times

Chief among these is telemarketing.

Journal of Interactive Marketing

Chief among those pressures are his family.

The New York Times

Chief among these methods is simple confusion.

The New York Times - Books

Chief among them is the observation deck.

The New York Times - Travel

Chief among the is Rocket Internet.

The Economist

Chief among these is his spectacular inconsistency.

The Economist

Chief among them was an independent judiciary.

The Economist

Chief among them: why was this happening?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "chief among", ensure that the items being compared are clearly defined, and that the most important item is unequivocally highlighted. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "chief among" in overly casual or informal writing. While grammatically correct, it can sound stilted or pretentious in everyday conversation or informal correspondence. Opt for simpler alternatives like "most importantly" or "especially" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chief among" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that it is the most important or prominent within a group. As Ludwig AI says, this phrase is perfectly usable in written English. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in various contexts, such as identifying key concerns or notable methods.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

23%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "chief among" serves to emphasize the foremost element within a group or category. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in written English, and the examples show it appears across diverse contexts such as news, science, and academia. While grammatically correct and very common, it's best suited for neutral to formal writing. Related alternatives include "most importantly" and "above all". To effectively use this phrase, ensure the context is clear and the emphasized element is easily identifiable, avoiding overuse in overly casual settings. By noting these points, writers can leverage "chief among" to bring focus and clarity to their message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most importantly

This alternative directly emphasizes the importance of a specific element.

primarily

This term focuses on the main or principal aspect.

above all

This stresses the paramount importance of something over everything else.

foremost

This highlights what comes first in terms of significance or position.

principally

This focuses on the key element or reason.

in particular

This spotlights a specific item from a broader category.

especially

This emphasizes a particular item or aspect.

notably

This highlights a particularly significant or noticeable element.

significantly

This emphasizes the notable impact or importance.

paramountly

This intensifies the importance to the highest degree.

FAQs

How can I use "chief among" in a sentence?

Use "chief among" to highlight the most important item in a list or group. For example, "Chief among the reasons for the project's success was the team's dedication."

What phrases are similar to "chief among"?

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

Is "chief among" formal or informal?

"Chief among" tends to be more formal. In informal contexts, simpler alternatives like "mainly" or "especially" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "chief among" and "primary"?

"Chief among" implies a ranking where one item is the most important of several, while "primary" simply indicates the main or principal item without necessarily implying a strict hierarchy.