foremost of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "foremost of" is grammatically correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the first or most important among a group of people or things. Example: "She was the foremost of her classmates, always leading the way in class discussions and group projects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Israel is foremost of these.

The Economist

The foremost of these is violent crime.

The Economist

Battle consists first and foremost of a horrible stench.

The New Yorker

"And the foremost of these duties is to love France".

The New York Times

Foremost of these, in his eyes, is health-care reform.

The Economist

Foremost of these is to follow a trusted consensus.

The Guardian - Opinion

He was first and foremost of, and for, the US.

The Guardian

But storytelling is foremost of what he is doing.

The New York Times - Magazine

But the verdict of history was not the foremost of Mr Blair's concerns this week.

The Economist

"The unity of the Christian churches is the first and foremost of our concerns," he added.

The New York Times

Cézanne is the foremost of painters who unfold their majesty to close-up inspection.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "foremost of" to emphasize the primary importance or leading position of something within a larger context. This helps to clearly prioritize information for your reader.

Common error

Avoid using "foremost of" when referring to a single item. The phrase implies a comparison among multiple items, so ensure a clear set of options is present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "foremost of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, emphasizing the primary importance or leading position of the item it describes. As seen in Ludwig, it highlights the most significant element within a context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "foremost of" is a versatile phrase used to emphasize the primary importance or leading position of something within a group or situation. As validated by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for formal, scientific, news, and media contexts. When employing "foremost of", ensure there is a clear set of items to which the phrase refers to, and avoid using it when referring to a single item. Related alternatives include "chief among" and "most significant of", allowing you to adjust the emphasis based on context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

foremost among

Suggests something is leading the pack in importance.

paramount among

Stresses the supreme importance of a particular item.

most significant of

Directly points out what carries the highest degree of importance.

central aspect of

Focuses on the most important element or feature.

chief among

Emphasizes the primary position within a set of items.

primary among

Focuses on the element that holds the greatest significance.

leading example of

Highlights an item that serves as the best illustration or representation.

principal part of

Indicates the core or essential aspect.

major component of

Emphasizes a significant part that contributes substantially.

key element within

Highlights a critical component within a larger system.

FAQs

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

Use "foremost of" to highlight the most important item or aspect within a group. For example, "Foremost of the challenges is funding" indicates that funding is the primary challenge.

What are some alternatives to "foremost of"?

Alternatives include "chief among", "most significant of", or "paramount among", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "first and foremost of"?

Yes, "first and foremost of" is a valid construction used to add extra emphasis on the primary importance of something. It's a more emphatic way of saying "foremost of".

Can "foremost of" be used to describe people?

Yes, "foremost of" can describe people, especially when referring to leaders or those who excel in a particular field. For instance, "She was the foremost of the scientists in her field".