most significant

USAGE SUMMARY

"most significant" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is of the greatest importance or value. For example: "The most significant achievement of the project was its successful completion within the proposed timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The most significant: Maj.

The New York Times

Most significant, it wasn't hedging.

The New York Times

Europe's most significant painter.

The Guardian

Most significant, Paul started recruiting.

The New York Times - Sports

Most significant is the soil.

The New York Times - Food

Take Bruges' most significant museums.

Independent

Our most significant finding?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Is function most significant?

Britannica

The most significant is price.

The Guardian

Most significant, there are drones.

The New Yorker

Most significant of all are rocketing wages.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "most significant", ensure it accurately reflects the degree of importance. Avoid overuse to maintain impact and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "most significant" for minor details. Reserve it for truly crucial elements to prevent diluting its meaning and misleading the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "most significant" functions as a superlative adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that it possesses the greatest degree of importance, impact, or relevance compared to others. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is both correct and common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

21%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "most significant" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase to denote the highest degree of importance. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its validity and common usage across various domains. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science, and Academic writing, it maintains a neutral to formal register. To maximize its impact, it is recommended to reserve its use for truly crucial elements and to consider synonyms like "paramount" or "chief" for subtle variations in meaning. By following these guidelines, writers can effectively leverage "most significant" to convey the intended level of importance with clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

paramount

Emphasizes the supreme importance or dominance of something.

chief

Highlights the principal or main aspect of something.

foremost

Indicates the leading or most prominent position of something.

principal

Stresses the primary or fundamental nature of something.

cardinal

Implies a foundational or essential importance.

critical

Indicates a crucial or decisive role.

pivotal

Highlights the turning point or crucial nature of something.

essential

Stresses the absolute necessity of something.

vital

Suggests life-sustaining or indispensable importance.

major

Indicates a considerable or substantial degree of importance.

FAQs

How can I use "most significant" in a sentence?

Use "most significant" to emphasize the paramount importance of something within a given context. For example, "The "most significant finding" of the study was the correlation between exercise and mental health".

What are some alternatives to "most significant"?

Alternatives include "paramount", "chief", or "foremost", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "most significant" formal or informal?

"Most significant" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing.

What's the difference between "significant" and "most significant"?

"Significant" indicates importance, while "most significant" denotes the highest degree of importance within a set of options or factors.