first and most importantly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "first and most importantly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize the importance of a point. Example: First and most importantly, always put your safety first.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I apologize first, and most importantly, to my family.

The New York Times

First, and most importantly, it's easier to take risks when your core business is minting money.

The Guardian

First, and most importantly, Postman Pat has undergone quite the makeover.

The Guardian - Film

First and most importantly, if your results aren't what you hoped for, don't panic.

The Guardian

And we rely first and most importantly on the Iraqi people to help us rid Iraq of such violent young men...

The New York Times

Here are some approaches to establishing a comedy character for stage, TV or film... First, and most importantly, don't try to be funny.

The Guardian

First, and most importantly, he corrects the wrong impression given by the title of his most famous book, The Selfish Gene.

The Guardian - Opinion

This requires, first and most importantly, reducing global warming to the apparently inevitable increase of 2C, beyond which lies an environmental catastrophe that could be unmanageable for poor and vulnerable countries.

The Guardian - Opinion

Why are American polls so pricey?First and most importantly, American elections are expensive because America is a big, rich country: reaching a population of 314m costs a lot, particularly in competitive media markets such as New York and Florida.

The Economist

First, and most importantly, it brought history to the fore.

SEP

First, and most importantly, the iPhone 4S will be powered by a new A5 processor.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "first and most importantly" to clearly signal the highest priority item in a list or series of points. It's best used when the 'first' element is also the most crucial.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "first and most importantly". Overuse dilutes its impact. Instead, vary your sentence structure by using other emphasis techniques or transitions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first and most importantly" functions as an emphatic discourse marker. It is used to signal the beginning of a list or sequence while simultaneously highlighting the paramount importance of the initial element. Ludwig confirms its wide use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "first and most importantly" is a commonly used conjunction phrase that serves to emphasize the primary point in a sequence, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's grammatically correct and versatile, fitting well in both neutral and slightly formal contexts such as news, science, and business writing. While extremely common it is advised to make a moderate use and avoid repetitions. Remember to use it when the 'first' element is also the most crucial and consider alternatives like "above all else" to prevent overuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

first and foremost

A common synonym emphasizing both sequence and priority, nearly interchangeable.

most importantly of all

Emphasizes importance above all other considerations.

above all else

This alternative prioritizes what follows, similar to the original phrase but with a stronger emphasis on overall importance.

to begin with, and crucially

Keeps the sequential structure, but uses 'crucially' to emphasize importance.

in the first place, and critically

Retains the sense of order while stressing critical importance.

most significantly

Focuses on the impact or importance of the point, omitting the sequential aspect.

to start, and more significantly

Maintains the sequential aspect while stressing greater significance.

of utmost importance

Highlights the critical nature of the point, removing the sequential element.

initially and fundamentally

This emphasizes the basic, foundational importance of the point.

primarily

A shorter, more direct way to indicate the main point, losing the sequential aspect of "first".

FAQs

How can I use "first and most importantly" in a sentence?

You can use "first and most importantly" to introduce the most crucial point you want to make. For example, "First and most importantly, ensure all safety protocols are followed".

What are some alternatives to "first and most importantly"?

Consider using phrases like "above all else", "primarily", or "most significantly" to vary your language and avoid repetition.

Is it redundant to say "first and most importantly"?

While it might seem redundant, the phrase emphasizes both the sequence and the significance of the point. However, ensure it aligns with your writing style.

When is it appropriate to use "first and most importantly"?

It's best used when you want to highlight that the initial point is not only the starting point but also the most critical one. It can be overused though, so don't repeat it too many times in your text. You can replace it with "above all else".