foremost

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "foremost" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective that can be used to mean most important, first in rank or degree, or in front of all others. For example, you could say "Education is the foremost priority for many parents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

First and foremost, there is the need for a comprehensive spending review for 2011/12 onwards.

The Guardian

Recurring issues of unemployment, job insecurity and low pay were also foremost on voter's minds.

The Guardian

The judge's findings led to Lawrie's demise as opposition leader and Wyvill, one of the NT's foremost silks and a known Labor supporter, resigned as president of the bar association.

The Guardian

Recalling his journalistic mentor, former Times editor Charlie Wilson, the brilliant Matthew Parris once said: "Charlie, foremost among others, instilled in me the understanding that journalism is a trade, not an art or a work of genius.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I would become, first and foremost, my husband's wife.

The Guardian - Books

For the second year in a row, a young American whistleblower alarmed at the unfettered and at times cynical deployment of power by the world's foremost superpower has been voted the Guardian's person of the year.

The Guardian

Related: Empire: the outrageous black family drama that's changing the look of US TV There are other reasons to cut the show loose, first and foremost being simple expense.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It also makes sense; it perhaps turns out that Xiaomi is, in the end, first and foremost a phone company, just one that is trying to build an actual moat around an Android-based operating system".

The Guardian - Tech

Opara describes himself as "first and foremost a storyteller".

The Guardian - Arts

Any woman who hopes to achieve damehood with a minimum of inner torment will want to study Joan Collins, whose foremost political acts appear to be her contributions to the Spectator and occasional outbursts against the modern world.

The Guardian - Opinion

Britain's foremost ballerina, Margot Fonteyn, went to France in 1948 to perform with Petit's newly founded company Les Ballets de Paris, and they had a brief but romantic affair.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "foremost", consider synonyms like "primary" or "principal" to ensure your writing maintains variety and precision.

Common error

Avoid using "foremost" in contexts where simpler words like "first" or "main" would suffice. Overusing "foremost" can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "foremost" is that of an adjective. It modifies nouns to indicate the highest level of importance, rank, or position. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

23%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "foremost" is a versatile adjective used to denote the highest level of importance, rank, or position. According to Ludwig AI, its usage is grammatically correct and widely applicable across diverse contexts, predominantly in news, business, and academic settings. When choosing synonyms, consider the specific nuance you wish to convey, such as "primary" to emphasize fundamental importance or "leading" to suggest guidance or dominance. While "foremost" is valuable for highlighting key aspects, avoid overuse in simple contexts where clearer words may suffice. To ensure clarity and effectiveness in your writing, understand the correct grammatical function and usage patterns of "foremost".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Most important

Directly states the highest level of significance.

Primary

Emphasizes fundamental importance or being first in a sequence or list.

Principal

Highlights the chief or main aspect of something.

Leading

Suggests a position of guidance or dominance.

Paramount

Indicates supreme importance, often in decision-making or priorities.

Preeminent

Implies superiority or distinction above all others.

Chief

Highlights the most important or influential element.

Dominant

Suggests controlling or prevailing influence.

Topmost

Emphasizes being at the highest rank or position.

Foremostly

An adverbial form that highlights what comes first or above all else in action or consideration. Using the adjective 'foremost' is often preferable, since it is a more common and conventional expression.

FAQs

How is "foremost" used in a sentence?

"Foremost" can be used to describe something that is most important, or at the front. For example: "Education is the foremost priority", or "He stood in the foremost row".

What words can I use instead of "foremost"?

Alternatives to "foremost" include "primary", "principal", or "leading", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "foremost"?

It is appropriate to use "foremost" when you want to emphasize the primary importance, rank, or position of something. It's often used in formal writing or speech.

What is the difference between "foremost" and "most important"?

While both indicate high importance, "foremost" often implies a leading position or rank, whereas "most important" simply highlights the greatest significance. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.