foremost thing

USAGE SUMMARY

"foremost thing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use "foremost thing" to refer to something that is most important or highest priority. For example: "Making sure everyone is safe is the foremost thing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

"That's the first and foremost thing.

The New York Times - Sports

I want something light, where the food is the foremost thing on your mind.

The New York Times

I think winning doesn't appear to be the first and foremost thing that's happening.

The New York Times - Sports

Without the lights or the hum of cars, the sky took its place as the foremost thing.

The New Yorker

His players did not disagree, although it was clear that the constant fourth-place finishes was not the foremost thing on their minds.

The New York Times - Sports

"If you don't have enough money to do everything, the first and foremost thing is to pay our teachers that have the experience," he said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

"Well, first and foremost, things stay in house," Williams said.

The New York Times - Sports

"One of the foremost things we need is a change agent — and Dick Brown fits the bill".

Forbes

But as soon as he breaks the terrain he's been buried under with the medallion on his chain, the foremost things taking place in his mind are oral satisfaction and getting back to his corner to make money.

Huffington Post

Discussions and participant observations revealed first and foremost that recording and transmitting an ECG was not the first thing carried out when approaching a patient with suspected STEMI.

BMJ Open

First thing- remember foremost is that a cleric is the healer and defender of the party.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "foremost thing", ensure that the context clearly establishes what other things are being considered or prioritized. This provides a stronger sense of its relative importance.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "foremost thing" can sound overly formal or stiff in casual conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "most important thing" or "main thing" in informal settings to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "foremost thing" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies what is of the highest importance or priority in a given situation, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

29%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "foremost thing" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to denote something of the highest importance. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples across various domains, predominantly in News & Media and Wiki sources. While versatile, it leans towards a neutral to formal register. When writing, remember to use it when emphasizing priority and be mindful of the context to ensure it aligns with the desired tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most important thing

Emphasizes the superior importance of something compared to other things.

primary concern

Highlights the main worry or focus of attention.

top priority

Indicates the highest-ranking item in a list of priorities.

main focus

Points to the central point of attention or activity.

chief consideration

Stresses the principal factor to be taken into account.

principal matter

Highlights the most significant issue or subject.

key aspect

Focuses on a crucial element or feature.

essential element

Underlines the necessity and indispensability of something.

central point

Highlights the core idea or argument.

overriding factor

Indicates a factor that is more important than any other and therefore prevents agreement.

FAQs

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

The phrase "foremost thing" is used to emphasize the highest priority or most important aspect within a given context. For example, "The "most important thing" is to ensure everyone's safety."

What is a good alternative to "foremost thing"?

Alternatives to "foremost thing" include phrases such as ""most important thing"", "primary concern", or "top priority", each conveying a similar sense of importance or precedence.

Is it correct to say "the first and foremost thing"?

Yes, "the first and foremost thing" is a common and acceptable construction. It further emphasizes the initial and primary importance of something.

What's the difference between "foremost thing" and "main thing"?

"Foremost thing" suggests a higher degree of importance or priority compared to "main thing". While both refer to something significant, "foremost" implies a more critical or essential role.