more than anything

USAGE SUMMARY

"more than anything" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a preference for something or to emphasize an emotion. For example, "I wanted to succeed more than anything."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"More than anything," he answered.

The New Yorker

The eyes more than anything".

Independent

Have fun more than anything.

The New York Times

That means more than anything".

The New York Times - Sports

More than anything, "they're inspiring.

The New York Times

More than anything, everyone seemed slightly embarrassed.

Independent

More than anything, I wanted another baby.

The New York Times

"That's my friend more than anything.

The New York Times - Sports

"That means more than anything," she said.

The New York Times

Mentally, it helped him more than anything.

The New York Times - Sports

He looked relieved, more than anything.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "more than anything", ensure it clearly conveys a strong preference or desire to avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of "I like apples more than anything", specify "I want to travel more than anything else right now".

Common error

While "more than anything" is widely understood, its informal tone might be inappropriate for academic papers or formal business communications. Consider using phrases like "primarily" or "above all else" to maintain a professional register.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "more than anything" is to act as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. It emphasizes the intensity or strength of a feeling, desire, or preference. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

18%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "more than anything" is a versatile phrase used to express strong preference or desire. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. While mostly acceptable, be mindful of the context and register; more formal situations might benefit from alternatives such as "above all else" or "most importantly". It's frequently found in news and media, with a presence in wikis and business contexts too. To avoid ambiguity, ensure the phrase clearly states what is most desired. Remember that overuse in highly formal writing should be avoided to maintain a professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

above all else

This alternative emphasizes a higher level of importance compared to "more than anything".

above everything else

This alternative puts more emphasis on totality, like considering it is above "everything", not just "anything".

most importantly

This alternative focuses on the significance of something, rather than a general preference.

before anything else

This alternative emphasizes the order of priority, not necessarily the strength of preference.

first and foremost

This alternative stresses initial priority, not necessarily overall preference.

primarily

This alternative suggests something is the main focus, rather than the strongest desire.

paramountly

This alternative highlights that something is of highest importance or rank.

in particular

This alternative singles out a specific item, whereas "more than anything" expresses a general preference.

of utmost importance

This alternative phrase focuses on the critical nature of something, changing slightly the focus of "more than anything" that is about the preference.

especially

This alternative indicates something stands out, but not necessarily as the most important.

FAQs

How can I use "more than anything" in a sentence?

Use "more than anything" to express a strong preference or desire. For example, "I want to succeed "more than anything"" indicates a very strong desire for success.

What can I say instead of "more than anything"?

You can use alternatives like "above all else", "most importantly", or "primarily" depending on the context.

Is "more than anything" formal or informal?

While widely understood, "more than anything" leans towards the informal side. For formal writing, consider "above all else" or "most importantly".

Can "more than anything" be used in negative contexts?

Yes, "more than anything" can express a strong desire to avoid something. For example, "I don't want to fail "more than anything"" shows a strong aversion to failure.