front of mind

USAGE SUMMARY

"front of mind" is a correct phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something (or someone) that is an important consideration, especially in a given moment or situation. For example, "Safety was always front of mind for the construction workers as they worked on the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

INFLUENCES Pierre Bonnard was front of mind while the artist was working.

The New York Times

What's more, the economics of the fashion industry put covered-up clothes front of mind.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

One has to ask: Why exactly is impeachment front of mind for these people?

The New York Times

Queensland remains front of mind, but Victoria is also turning up more often in dispatches.

The Guardian

Is it front of mind when fundraisers are asking for donations or writing an appeal?

The Guardian

These are questions that should be front of mind when thinking about your sourcing model.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Trump is front-of-mind to many people.

The New Yorker

Thank you notes after a job interview, or general networking meeting, keep you front-of-mind with the people you meet.

Columbia University

Keeping emergent demands front-of-mind — understanding the inflection points in personal responsibility and preparing for them in advance — helps Bailey navigate the growth of the company.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Use visible and accessible reminders to keep keep your passion front-of-mind.

Forbes

HR leaders need to consider methods to keep that focus front-of-mind in their workforce planning.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "front of mind" to indicate immediate importance or relevance. For sustained or general importance, consider "key consideration" or "core value".

Common error

Avoid using "front of mind" to describe long-term values or goals; its strength lies in indicating something that needs immediate attention or is currently under consideration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "front of mind" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun (often an abstract one like 'priority' or 'issue') to indicate its current importance or relevance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to express that something is an important consideration. Examples from Ludwig show its use across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

23%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Science

7%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "front of mind" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate something of immediate importance or relevance. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts. It appears most frequently in news and media, as well as formal business settings, suggesting a neutral register. While ""top of mind"" is a close alternative, "front of mind" emphasizes current consideration rather than overall importance. When using this phrase, remember to reserve it for matters needing immediate attention, and avoid using it to describe long-term values.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

top of mind

Similar in meaning, but emphasizes the ranking of importance.

at the forefront

Focuses on the leading position of the thought or concern.

a primary concern

Highlights the element of worry or importance attached to the thought.

uppermost in one's thoughts

More formal and emphasizes the prominence of the thought.

at the center of attention

Focuses on the degree to which it is being prioritized.

a key consideration

Highlights the importance of the thought in decision-making.

of utmost importance

Emphasizes the high level of importance attached to the thought.

the main thing

Informal and stresses the thought's dominance over others.

a priority

Highlights that the thought should be the thing dealt with first.

at the top of the list

Emphasizes the thought's position in a hierarchy of importance.

FAQs

How can I use "front of mind" in a sentence?

You can use "front of mind" to indicate that something is currently being thought about or considered as a priority. For example, "Safety is always "front of mind" when planning this type of event".

What can I say instead of "front of mind"?

You can use alternatives like "top of mind", "primary concern", or "key consideration" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "at the front of mind"?

While understandable, "at the front of mind" is less common and idiomatic than simply ""front of mind"". The latter is the preferred and more widely accepted phrasing.

What's the difference between "top of mind" and "front of mind"?

"Top of mind" implies a higher level of importance or recall, while ""front of mind"" suggests something is currently being actively considered.