most significant figure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "most significant figure" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts such as statistics, mathematics, or discussions about importance to refer to the most important or impactful number or individual in a given context. Example: "In the study, the most significant figure was the increase in productivity, which rose by 30% over the year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

The most significant figure in this era was Oscar Micheaux.

The Guardian - Film

Its most significant figure, however, lived in North Africa.

Britannica

Yet for Inkster and Sule, the most significant figure breaking down this stigma around depression and revealing weakness is Kendrick Lamar.

The Guardian

Mr. Godinez told the assembled guests at the restaurant that he regarded Mr. Valdez as the most significant figure to date in Latino-American theater.

The New York Times

The most significant figure, however, has been 20.27 – the time frozen on the trackside clock when Williams won the 200m.

Independent

Should Spieth prevail at Augusta National on Sunday, for what would be a second year in succession and a third major out of five, the 22-year-old would be reinstated as the most significant figure in golf.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

They included entries on most significant figures in British history up to the year 1900.

The Guardian - Books

Captain Peter P Eckersley was one of the most significant figures in the early history of British broadcasting.

The Guardian

American composer, bandleader, and pianist Duke Ellington, among the most significant figures in jazz history, was born.

Britannica

Jack McAuliffe is one of the most significant figures in United States brewing history.

The Washington Post

The authors, illustrators and printers include some of the most significant figures in the history of children's books.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "most significant figure", ensure the context clearly establishes the domain or field in which the person is deemed significant. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "most significant figure" in overly broad or general contexts without specifying a specific field or area of influence. Without context, the phrase can lose its impact and become vague.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "most significant figure" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or appositive to identify an individual of paramount importance within a specific domain. Ludwig AI confirms its proper grammatical use across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "most significant figure" is a noun phrase used to denote the individual with the greatest impact or influence within a specific domain. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across various contexts, spanning from News & Media to Academia. While grammatically correct, ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "key individual" or "leading personality", depending on the nuance you wish to convey. This phrase commonly appears in news, academic texts, and encyclopedias, highlighting figures of historical or contemporary importance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

key individual

Replaces "figure" with "individual" emphasizing a person, and "most significant" with "key" indicating central importance.

leading personality

Substitutes "figure" with "personality", focusing on someone's public image and impact and "most significant" with "leading" highlighting prominence.

prominent person

Uses "person" instead of "figure", and "prominent" to highlight their importance or fame instead of "most significant".

principal actor

Employs "actor" to describe someone who plays a crucial role, replacing "figure", and "principal" to emphasize their primary importance instead of "most significant".

central character

Replaces "figure" with "character", and "most significant" with "central" emphasizing the core role someone plays.

major player

Uses a more informal term, "player", instead of "figure", indicating someone influential, and "major" to highlight importance instead of "most significant".

primary influence

Shifts the focus to the influence exerted by someone, rather than the person themselves, and replaces "most significant" with "primary" to denote importance.

chief architect

Implies someone who is the creator or main planner, replacing "figure" with "architect", and using "chief" instead of "most significant" to convey primary role.

driving force

Focuses on someone as the impetus behind an action or movement, instead of referring to them as a "figure", using "driving" to suggest an energetic source of importance and "force" instead of "most significant".

foremost authority

Highlights someone as an expert or leader in a specific field, replacing "figure" with "authority" and "most significant" with "foremost" emphasizing their top position.

FAQs

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

Use "most significant figure" to describe an individual who has had the greatest impact or influence in a specific field or event. For example, "In the history of jazz, Louis Armstrong is considered the "most significant figure"".

What are some alternatives to "most significant figure"?

You can use alternatives like "key individual", "leading personality", or "prominent person" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "significant figure" or "most significant figure"?

"Significant figure" refers to someone important, while ""most significant figure"" denotes the single most important or influential individual within a specific context. The choice depends on whether you are comparing multiple important figures or singling out the most influential one.

How do I choose between "most influential person" and "most significant figure"?

While both phrases denote importance, "most influential person" emphasizes the power to affect or change something, and ""most significant figure"" highlights historical importance or impact on a field. Consider whether influence or lasting significance is the primary focus.