foremost among

USAGE SUMMARY

"foremost among" is a perfectly correct phrase that is commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to mean "above all others" or "first and foremost." For example, "Foremost among my goals is to reach a better understanding of the implications of this development."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Foremost among them, I'm cheap.

The New York Times

Time was foremost among them.

The New York Times

And foremost among my childhood fantasies?

The New York Times

Foremost among satirists was Krzysztof Opaliński.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Foremost among them is debt.

The New York Times

Foremost among them is Iraq.

The New York Times

Foremost among these is consent.

The Guardian - Opinion

Sunderland are foremost among them.

The Guardian - Sport

Foremost among these is unemployment.

The Guardian

Foremost among them was David Cameron.

The Guardian - Opinion

First and foremost among them is Gov.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "foremost among", ensure that the context clearly establishes the set of items from which you are singling out the most important one.

Common error

Avoid using "foremost among" when referring to a single item. This phrase implies a comparison within a group, so it doesn't make sense when only one element is present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "foremost among" functions as a prepositional phrase used to highlight the most important element within a group or list. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a standard and grammatically correct way to emphasize priority.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

31%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "foremost among" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to emphasize the most important item in a group or list. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage in various contexts. It is best suited for neutral to formal registers, commonly found in news, scientific, and encyclopedic sources. When writing, use it to clearly indicate the highest priority item and avoid using it with singular nouns. Consider alternatives like "chiefly among" or "primarily among" for slight variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chiefly among

This alternative focuses on the principal or main aspect within the group.

primarily among

This highlights the element that is of greatest importance or rank.

mainly among

This emphasizes the major or most significant items within the group.

principally among

This suggests that something is at the forefront or is the leading element.

especially among

This singles out one or more items as particularly noteworthy.

particularly among

This emphasizes a specific item within a larger group.

above all others

This stresses the supremacy of one element over all others.

first and foremost

This emphasizes the initial and primary importance of an element.

most importantly

This underscores the significance of a particular element.

in the first place

This highlights the initial or primary position of something.

FAQs

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

Use "foremost among" to highlight the most important item or aspect in a group. For example, "Foremost among the challenges is funding."

What are some alternatives to "foremost among"?

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

Is "foremost among" formal or informal?

"Foremost among" is generally considered suitable for neutral to formal contexts. It is appropriate for professional, academic, and journalistic writing.

What's the difference between "foremost among" and "first of all"?

"Foremost among" highlights the most important item within a group, while "first of all" simply indicates the first point in a sequence, not necessarily the most important one.