most striking thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "most striking thing" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to emphasize something that stands out or is particularly noticeable in a given context. An example: "The most striking thing about the painting was its vibrant colors." Alternative expressions include "most remarkable aspect" and "most notable feature."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It was the most striking thing," Dr. Brownstein said.

The New York Times

The most striking thing about Gilbert & George is their independence.

The Guardian - Arts

The most striking thing about The Knick is its score.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But the most striking thing is its scale.

The New York Times - Travel

"The most striking thing is that I stopped going out.

The Guardian

THE most striking thing about East Camden is what's missing.

The New York Times

Perhaps the most striking thing about the house is how unassuming it is.

The New Yorker

The most striking thing here is the orange, the Dutch national color.

The New York Times

Perhaps the most striking thing about the designs is not their sharp angles and compass twirls.

The New York Times

But perhaps the most striking thing is the devotion Iceland inspires among visitors.

Independent

Perhaps the most striking thing about it is the total absence of moral concern.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "most striking thing", ensure that the context clearly establishes what is being compared or contrasted. Provide specific details to support why the chosen aspect is considered the most striking.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "most striking thing" as a generic intensifier. Ensure that the identified 'thing' genuinely stands out and is not merely a matter of personal preference without objective basis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "most striking thing" functions as a subject complement or adjectival modifier, highlighting a particular aspect that is most noticeable or impressive within a given context. Ludwig shows that this phrase introduces subjective observations or key features.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "most striking thing" is a commonly used phrase that serves to highlight the most noticeable or impressive aspect of a subject. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently appears in News & Media contexts. When using this phrase, make sure to provide context and substantiate your claim. Consider alternatives like "most remarkable aspect" or "most notable feature" to vary your language. Ensure that the identified 'thing' genuinely stands out and avoid overuse without proper justification.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most remarkable aspect

Replaces 'striking' with 'remarkable', focusing on the noteworthiness of the aspect.

most notable feature

Substitutes 'striking thing' with 'notable feature', highlighting a significant characteristic.

most prominent attribute

Uses 'prominent attribute' instead of 'striking thing', emphasizing a key quality.

most significant element

Replaces 'striking thing' with 'significant element', stressing importance.

most impressive quality

Substitutes 'striking' with 'impressive', highlighting an admirable characteristic.

most outstanding trait

Uses 'outstanding trait' instead of 'striking thing', focusing on a distinctive feature.

most compelling factor

Replaces 'striking thing' with 'compelling factor', emphasizing persuasiveness.

what stands out the most

Rephrases the sentiment to focus on what is most noticeable.

the most noticeable aspect

Focuses on what is easily observed or apparent.

the key takeaway

Shifts focus to the most important point to remember or understand.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "most striking thing" to sound more formal?

Consider using alternatives such as "most remarkable aspect", "most notable feature", or "most significant element" in formal writing.

What's the difference between "most striking thing" and "most important thing"?

"Most striking thing" emphasizes what is immediately noticeable or attention-grabbing, while "most important thing" focuses on what holds the greatest significance or value.

Is it redundant to use "most striking thing" followed by an obvious observation?

Yes, avoid using "most striking thing" if the observation is self-evident. Instead, reserve the phrase for aspects that require deeper analysis or are not immediately apparent.

How to use "most striking thing" in a sentence?

You can use "most striking thing" to introduce a particularly noticeable or significant aspect of a subject. For example: "The "most striking thing" about the painting was its use of vibrant colors."