foremost thought

USAGE SUMMARY

"foremost thought" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It typically refers to the primary or most important idea or belief that someone has. It can be used in various contexts, such as in academic writing, literature, or everyday conversation. Example: In his speech, the politician emphasized the importance of education as his foremost thought for improving society.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

And the Senate has never been known for party discipline.The foremost thought in the minds of legislators wavering over green bills will be the second big obstacle to Mr Obama's green ambitions: the state of the economy.

The Economist

Shiffrin acknowledged that she would be in the spotlight but said it was not the foremost thought on her mind.

The New York Times - Sports

He tells his young charge that in any driving situation, the foremost thought ought to be, "What would Stepdaddy do to me if I brought his car back as a flaming pile of wreck?" "No matter how many times your mom reminded you that 'Rick is a good man,' " declare the print ads with the stepfather, "it didn't make him a good driving instructor".

The New York Times

Risk, however, was not the foremost thought on the minds of yield-grubbing investors.

Forbes

"1) It can't be done; 2) It probably can be done, but it's not worth doing; 3) I knew it was a good idea all along!" We asked some of the world's most foremost thought leaders for their visions for the future, ranging from smart organs, to living on other planets, to flying vehicles for everyone.

BBC

Brian Tracy is one of the world's foremost thought leaders on personal and business success.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The identified factors point at the key finding that the mayors first and foremost think about the 'good of their municipality'.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

I'm not your archetypal corporate mandarin but a change manager, who first and foremost thinks of strategies and operating models to keep Emerson relevant in the digital age.

Forbes

Next semester, Fatima said she is looking forward to the professional development and networking opportunities in Washington, DC, where she'll complete her final year of study, and being situated in the heart of the world's foremost think tanks and embassies, and within walking distance of the White House, US Capitol and World Bank.

Johns Hopkins University

When you think about what college to go to, you should first and foremost think about: what do students learn when they go to that college?

HuffPost

And to do that, we must have surrounding the president, men and women of moral character and personal strength who can provide opposing views and who will first and foremost think of the long-term, not simply short-term outcomes.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "foremost thought" to emphasize the primary consideration or idea in a given situation. It's particularly effective when introducing the most important element of a plan, argument, or decision-making process.

Common error

Avoid using "foremost thought" for minor or insignificant considerations. This phrase carries weight, so reserve it for genuinely important ideas or concerns to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "foremost thought" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies the most important or primary consideration, aligning with Ludwig's indication that it signifies a key idea or belief.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Academia

29%

Science

28%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "foremost thought" is a grammatically sound and useful phrase, signifying the most important consideration or idea in a particular context. As Ludwig AI clarifies, this noun phrase is commonly found in news, academic, and scientific writings, marking its relevance in formal communications. While interchangeable with options like "primary consideration" or "main concern", it's advisable to save this phrase for matters of genuine significance to maintain its impact. When aiming to underscore the key element in a plan or argument, "foremost thought" can prove quite effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primary consideration

Replaces "thought" with "consideration", emphasizing importance.

main concern

Substitutes "thought" with "concern", highlighting worry or focus.

chief idea

Uses "idea" instead of "thought", suggesting a concept or belief.

principal focus

Emphasizes the concentration of attention.

leading idea

Highlights the guiding or dominant concept.

overriding thought

Suggests a thought that takes precedence over others.

central concept

Replaces "thought" with "concept", implying a core idea.

key consideration

Highlights the essential element to be considered.

dominant idea

Emphasizes the prevailing or most influential concept.

most important thought

Uses a more explicit and descriptive wording.

FAQs

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

You can use "foremost thought" to highlight the most important consideration in a given situation. For instance, "The candidate's foremost thought was how to improve the economy".

What is a good alternative to "foremost thought"?

Alternatives include "primary consideration", "main concern", or "chief idea", depending on the specific context.

Is "foremost thought" formal or informal?

"Foremost thought" leans towards formal usage, suitable for academic, professional, or news contexts. In casual conversations, simpler alternatives might be preferable.

What is the difference between "foremost thought" and "first thought"?

"Foremost thought" refers to the most important or primary consideration, while "first thought" simply refers to the initial thought that comes to mind. The phrases are not interchangeable.