most salient

USAGE SUMMARY

The term "most salient" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something or someone that stands out from all the rest, due to its special importance or prominence. For example: "The most salient feature of this new car is its fuel efficiency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It seemed like their most salient feature," he said.

The New York Times - Science

But its shape will be its most salient element.

The New York Times

Besides, I failed to mark most salient points.

The Guardian - Books

Who knows which of these, if any, is most salient?

The New York Times - Magazine

The most salient of these is the centrality of debt.

The Guardian - Opinion

Its hard power is the most salient challenge to legalization.

The Guardian - Opinion

The most salient example is 2014's Bad Neighbours.

The Guardian - Film

Here, only the most salient points will be covered.

Nature

That turns a blind eye to the most salient facts.

The Guardian - Opinion

Consider the five most salient features of today's digital landscape.

Harvard Business Review

Here is a summary of their most salient thoughts.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "most salient" to emphasize the single most important or noticeable aspect of something, ensuring it stands out clearly to the audience.

Common error

Avoid using "most salient" in casual conversation or informal writing; opt for simpler alternatives like "most important" or "main" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "most salient" functions as an adjective modifier that emphasizes the outstanding, prominent, or most noticeable quality of a noun. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and used to highlight key aspects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "most salient" is a grammatically correct phrase used to emphasize the primary or most noticeable aspect of something. As Ludwig AI indicates, it finds frequent application in formal contexts such as news, academia, and science. While highly effective in professional writing, it's advisable to use simpler alternatives like "most important" in informal settings. Understanding its usage patterns and related phrases can greatly enhance clarity and impact in writing. This analysis provides practical guidance for using the phrase effectively, while avoiding common pitfalls.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most important

Highlights the highest degree of relevance.

most significant

Stresses the importance and consequence.

most noticeable

Focuses on ease of perception.

most prominent

Highlights the importance and visibility.

most remarkable

Emphasizes unusualness and memorability.

principal

Highlights leading position and importance.

primary

Emphasizes fundamental or foundational nature.

key

Stresses crucial or essential nature.

cardinal

Focuses on fundamental importance.

chief

Shorter alternative focusing on dominance in rank.

FAQs

How to use "most salient" in a sentence?

Use "most salient" to highlight the most important or noticeable aspect of something. For example, "The "most salient feature" of the new policy is its focus on sustainability".

What can I say instead of "most salient"?

You can use alternatives like "most important", "most noticeable", or "most significant" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "most salient" in casual conversation?

While grammatically correct, "most salient" is more suited for formal writing or academic discussions. In casual conversation, simpler alternatives like "main" or "key" might be more appropriate.

Which is correct, "salient point" or "most salient point"?

Both are correct, but "most salient point" emphasizes that it's the single most important point among others. "Salient point" simply indicates that it's noteworthy or important.