first and defining priority

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "first and defining priority" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the most important or fundamental priority in a given context or situation. Example: "Our first and defining priority is to ensure the safety of all employees during the transition period."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Being productive was the first and defining priority.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

For both, their mothers were their first and defining coaches, and neither came to the job unqualified.

The New York Times - Magazine

The art is the first and only priority".

The Guardian - Music

That's the first and foremost priority.

Huffington Post

However, Bri's health is her first and foremost priority.

Huffington Post

How we perform is first and foremost our priority".

The Guardian - Sport

The first and most important priority is patient's safety.

Health Care Management Science

The first and highest-priority targets are felons.

Huffington Post

Assign priorities to certain tasks, and get the high-priority tasks done first and the low-priority tasks done later.

WikiHow

"Our first, second and third priority is negotiations," he said.

The New York Times

The third priority is to minimize overtime, and the fourth and last priority is to reduce patient waiting times.

Health Care Management Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "first and defining priority", ensure the context clearly establishes what other potential priorities might exist. This clarifies why this particular priority is both first and defining.

Common error

Avoid using "first and defining priority" when the context already makes it abundantly clear that the mentioned item is, without a doubt, the most important thing. Redundancy weakens your writing. If something is obviously the top priority, simply stating it is the "priority" is often sufficient.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first and defining priority" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a specific item as the most important consideration. It emphasizes not only its precedence but also its fundamental influence, as supported by the Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

25%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Wiki

25%

Social Media

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "first and defining priority" is a grammatically correct phrase used to highlight the most important and influential consideration in a given context. Ludwig AI indicates that while its usage is not widespread, it appears in reputable sources across news, science, business and wiki contexts. When using the phrase, ensure that its defining aspect is clearly understood and consider alternatives like "primary and essential priority" if a slightly different nuance is desired. While grammatically sound, be mindful of potential redundancy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primary and essential priority

Emphasizes the fundamental and indispensable nature of the priority.

foremost and critical priority

Highlights the importance and urgency of the priority.

main and determining priority

Focuses on the key and decisive aspect of the priority.

foundational and guiding priority

Stresses the basic and directive role of the priority.

chief and characteristic priority

Points out the principal and distinctive quality of the priority.

initial and decisive priority

Highlights the starting point and conclusive nature of the priority.

overriding and fundamental concern

Emphasizes the supremacy and importance of the concern.

cardinal and essential consideration

Highlights the basic and indispensable nature of the consideration.

prime and underlying focus

Focuses on the primary and foundational aspect of the focus.

topmost and critical objective

Highlights the supreme importance and urgency of the objective.

FAQs

How can I use "first and defining priority" in a sentence?

You can use "first and defining priority" to emphasize the most important aspect of a situation. For example, "Our "first and defining priority" is the safety of our employees."

What are some alternatives to "first and defining priority"?

Alternatives include "primary and essential priority", "foremost and critical priority", or "main and determining priority".

Is "first and defining priority" redundant?

While "first" and "defining" both relate to importance, using them together can emphasize that a particular priority is not only the initial one but also fundamentally shapes all subsequent actions. However, be mindful of potential redundancy and choose the wording that best fits the context.

What's the difference between "first priority" and "first and defining priority"?

"First priority" simply indicates the order of importance. "First and defining priority" suggests that this particular priority also sets the standard or direction for all other priorities and actions that follow.