foremost reason

USAGE SUMMARY

"foremost reason" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use "foremost reason" when you want to emphasize the most important or primary reason for something. This phrase is often used to introduce a list of reasons, with the foremost reason being the one that holds the most weight or significance. Example: The foremost reason for our company's success is our dedicated team of employees who constantly strive for excellence in their work.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

That was the first and foremost reason why James Bulger was never an informant against people".

The New York Times

In 2006, by contrast, lack of time was the foremost reason cited.

The New York Times

It may still be the impetus for his stories, but it is no longer the foremost reason they're interesting.

The New York Times - Books

"The foremost reason is that the taxi industry has benefited from the overall drop in crime, but we believe partitions have played a significant roles as well".

The New York Times

Former Senator Judd Gregg of New Hampshire, a Republican who served on the Budget Committee, said the "working center in the Senate" remained the foremost reason to expect a compromise.

The New York Times

The first and foremost reason why we shouldn't simply disown neuroscience altogether is an obvious one: if we want to understand our minds, from which all of human nature springs, we must come to grips with the brain's biology.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

AAP is one of the foremost reasons for why I chose Cornell.

Cornell University

Among the foremost reasons for this is the eventual development of obstructive chronic lung allograft dysfunction.

Stanford University

Preservation of the security of the Nation from its enemies, foreign and domestic, is the obligation of government and one of the foremost reasons for government to exist.

Cornell University

Ironically, when Congress was weighing air strikes in Syria in August 2013, just four months after the failed background checks vote, one of the foremost reasons lawmakers cited in opposing the Obama administration's plan was polling that showed 90% of Americans were against intervention.

The Guardian

This inclusiveness is likely one of the foremost reasons so many people turned out in Raleigh on Saturday — Reverend Barber has provided a forum for North Carolina residents to voice their complaints with the state government, and they welcome all who have something to say.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "primary reason" or "main reason" for a less formal tone in informal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "foremost reason" when the reason is not definitively the most important one. Overusing it can weaken its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "foremost reason" functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject complement or an object of a preposition. It identifies the primary justification or explanation for a situation. The examples provided by Ludwig confirm its role in emphasizing the most important reason.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

31%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Academia

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "foremost reason" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that highlights the primary justification or explanation for a given situation. As indicated by Ludwig, it serves to emphasize the most important factor, and its usage spans across diverse contexts such as science, news media, and formal business settings. While suitable for formal communication, synonyms like "main reason" or "primary reason" may be preferable for more informal contexts. Ensure that when you use "foremost reason", it truly represents the most significant element, and don't overuse it to avoid diminishing its impact. This phrase exhibits a neutral to formal register, making it appropriate for carefully considered explanations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primary reason

Replaces "foremost" with "primary", emphasizing the fundamental nature of the reason.

main reason

Uses "main" instead of "foremost", indicating the principal reason.

principal cause

Substitutes "reason" with "cause", highlighting the causal aspect.

chief reason

Replaces "foremost" with "chief", suggesting the most important reason.

leading reason

Employs "leading" to indicate the reason that guides or directs.

paramount reason

Uses "paramount" to stress the supreme importance of the reason.

overriding reason

Highlights that the reason is more important than any others.

the biggest reason

Replaces 'foremost' with a more direct term.

the key reason

Indicates the reason is essential to understanding or success.

most important reason

Directly states the reason's significance.

FAQs

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

You can use "foremost reason" to introduce the most important reason for something. For example, "The "foremost reason" for the project's delay was lack of funding".

What's a synonym for "foremost reason"?

Alternatives to "foremost reason" include "primary reason", "main reason", and "principal cause". Each has slightly different nuances.

When is it appropriate to use "foremost reason"?

"Foremost reason" is appropriate when you want to emphasize that a particular reason is the most important one among several others. It's suitable for formal and semi-formal contexts.

Is there a difference between "foremost reason" and "leading reason"?

While both phrases indicate importance, "foremost reason" suggests the most important reason overall, while "leading reason" implies a reason that guides or directs a particular outcome.