more than anything else

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more than anything else" is a valid and commonly used phrase in written English.
You can use it to emphasize a point - it suggests that what is being stated is of particular importance in comparison to other things. For example: "I value friendship more than anything else."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Third, culture matters more than anything else.

The Guardian

Robert: Her looks more than anything else.

The New York Times

More than anything else, Sontag is hungry.

The New Yorker

"It was instinct more than anything else".

The New York Times

This disturbed people more than anything else.

Independent

More than anything else, that generation laughed.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Really, pleasantries more than anything else.

The New York Times

"It reflects desperation more than anything else".

The New York Times

Curiosity drives me more than anything else.

The New York Times

"That's laziness more than anything else".

The New York Times

It bothered me more than anything else.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "more than anything else" to clearly express your strongest preference or priority in a given situation. This phrase adds emphasis to your statement and ensures your audience understands what is most important to you.

Common error

Avoid overusing "more than anything else" in formal writing, as it can sound repetitive or less sophisticated. Consider using alternatives such as "above all" or "most importantly" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more than anything else" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. It serves to emphasize a preference, priority, or intensity of a feeling or action. Ludwig AI confirms its valid use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

24%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

6%

Wiki

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "more than anything else" is a commonly used phrase to emphasize a strong preference or priority. Ludwig AI validates its usage. While versatile, it's best to avoid overuse in formal writing. Consider alternatives like "above all" or "most importantly" for different contexts. The phrase appears frequently in News & Media, Academia, and Formal & Business settings. It is important to keep in mind that the register of the phrase tends to be neutral, and the expert rating for the phrase is high because the meaning is clear and consistent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

above all else

This alternative places something at the very top of priorities, similar to the original phrase but with a slightly stronger emphasis.

before everything else

This alternative stresses the order of priority, with something taking precedence over all other considerations.

most importantly

This focuses on the importance of something, making it the key factor, rather than a general preference.

over all other things

This alternative provides a more verbose way to express the idea of prioritizing something above everything else.

paramountly

This emphasizes that something is of utmost importance or significance.

primarily

This emphasizes the main reason or focus, which is closely related to the original phrase's expression of priority.

chiefly

This indicates the main or most important reason or element, focusing on what is primary.

especially

This highlights something as particularly significant, though not necessarily the highest priority.

in particular

This singles out a specific item as noteworthy, less emphatic than "more than anything else".

fundamentally

This highlights something as a basic or essential element, rather than a preference.

FAQs

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

You can use "more than anything else" to emphasize a preference or priority, as in "I value honesty "more than anything else"".

What are some alternatives to "more than anything else"?

Alternatives include "above all else", "most importantly", or "primarily", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "more than anything else" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "more than anything else" might be less suitable for formal writing due to its somewhat informal tone. Consider using more sophisticated alternatives like "above all" or "chiefly".

What's the difference between "more than anything else" and "most importantly"?

"More than anything else" expresses a strong preference, while "most importantly" highlights the key factor. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize personal value or critical significance.