foremost of all

USAGE SUMMARY

"foremost of all" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to emphasize the most important or significant aspect of something. Example: "In order to succeed, you must work hard, stay focused, and foremost of all, believe in yourself."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

First of all, foremost of all, you go in to win something like this.

The New York Times - Sports

Yet Rocinante shares the stout heart and never-say-die attitude of the Don himself, bravely bearing him to adventures as "the first and foremost of all hacks in the world".

Independent

Foremost of all, the highly-battered two carabiniers-à-cheval regiments had no more than 300 horses standing between themselves by the end of the day, for an equine casualty rate of 77 percent, with the 9th and 12th cuirassiers also suffering high casualties.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Several attendees said props masters were first and foremost jacks-of-all-trades.

The New York Times

Why was Caesar what Brutus calls him, "the foremost man of all this world"?

The Guardian

The more we are bombarded with sexting, bullying, Internet predators and other media mayday signs, the more we demand our foremost symbol of all-American girldom to remain the same, even if it was a fantasy to begin with.

The New York Times

"The Hamptons are, first and foremost, the locus of all this stuff: It's where the powerful, the glamorous, the rich and the exalted go to summer," said Neal Gabler, the Amagansett-based author.

The New York Times

Battle consists first and foremost of a horrible stench.

The New Yorker

Party loyalty, not honesty or ability, becomes the first criterion, and the foremost goal of all parties is occupation at all costs, with loyal and servile members of the party".

The New Yorker

On Tuesday, he said the experience was a privilege that "came with many sacrifices, the foremost of which was all the time spent away from my family and my home here in Northern California.

The New York Times

That is the foremost goal of all their efforts.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "foremost of all" when you want to highlight the single most important element among several considerations.

Common error

Avoid using "foremost of all" in very casual conversations; it can sound overly formal. Opt for simpler alternatives like "most importantly" or "above all" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "foremost of all" functions as an emphatic adverbial phrase, modifying a clause or sentence to highlight the element of greatest importance or priority. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, showcasing it in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "foremost of all" serves to emphasize the paramount importance of a specific element. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness, though its usage is relatively rare. Primarily appearing in News & Media and Science contexts, it carries a neutral tone, making it suitable for highlighting key factors. Alternative phrases such as "above all" and "most importantly" can be used, especially in more informal settings. When using "foremost of all", ensure it genuinely represents the single most crucial aspect you wish to highlight.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

above all

This alternative indicates the highest priority or importance among a set of things.

most importantly

This phrase emphasizes the significance of a particular point or consideration.

primarily

Focuses on the main or principal aspect of something.

chiefly

Highlights the most important or prominent element.

principally

Indicates the main reason or factor.

especially

Emphasizes a particular item or aspect as being notable.

in particular

Singles out a specific item from a larger group.

notably

Draws attention to a noteworthy aspect or feature.

significantly

Emphasizes the importance or impact of something.

markedly

Indicates a noticeable or significant difference.

FAQs

What does "foremost of all" mean?

The phrase "foremost of all" is used to emphasize the most important or significant aspect among several others. It highlights something as being of primary importance.

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

You can use it to introduce the most crucial point in a list or discussion. For example, "To succeed, you need talent, hard work, and "foremost of all", perseverance."

What can I say instead of "foremost of all"?

You can use alternatives like "above all", "most importantly", or "primarily" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "foremost of all" formal or informal?

The phrase tends to be more formal. In casual conversation, simpler alternatives like "most importantly" or "mainly" might be more appropriate.