paramount

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "paramount" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used as an adjective meaning having great importance or influence, and is often used in legal contexts. For example, "The paramount consideration in this case is the safety of the public."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The institute's chief executive, Ian Tudor, told Guardian Australia the confidentiality of student records was of "paramount importance to the institute, and given the magnitude of the breach of confidentiality we were obliged to report it to the police".

The Guardian

The paramount aims must be to bridge divides, to find solutions which can enjoy consent, and to renegotiate the union as an all-embracing working system that takes account of the lessons of recent past.

The Guardian - Opinion

While bitterness and saltiness can be important in cocktails, Rachel tells us, the balance between sweetness and acidity is paramount.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"The health and safety of our visitors is of paramount importance," said David Bromilow, Drayton Manor's operations manager.

The Guardian

The question of when and how to integrate different interventions is paramount.

The Guardian

Maintaining equal ethnic representation of Bosniaks, Croats and Serbs has been paramount to the peace-building process in Bosnia & Herzegovina.

The Guardian

"The determination said the use of the slur was 'repugnant', and it is upsetting and entirely unacceptable for this to be used in a sporting event such as the ATP World Tour where equality amongst sportsmen is a predicate to fair competition and, indeed, paramount to the success of the Tour and of the sport," the statement continued.

The Guardian - Sport

In a relatively small red-top newspaper market, but one where secrecy was paramount, Max proved to be an adept negotiator.

The Guardian

Alan Collins, a solicitor at the law firm Pannone, who is representing five of Savile's alleged victims and has been approached by at least 20 others, said the case for the police to be investigated had become paramount.

The Guardian

"We use the technology to illustrate the event with clarity, and occasionally a bit of fun; that is paramount because all our lives are affected by what happens in an election".

The Guardian

"It's paramount that I protect the identity of those people who have revealed stuff to me," he said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "paramount" to emphasize the supreme importance of something, particularly in formal or serious contexts. It adds a layer of gravitas and underscores the significance of the matter at hand.

Common error

Avoid using "paramount" in casual conversations or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or pretentious in settings where a simpler word like "important" would suffice.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "paramount" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to indicate that they are of the highest importance or significance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's typically used this way in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

26%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "paramount" functions as an adjective signifying the highest level of importance. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various domains. While most common in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, it maintains a formal register. When opting for alternatives, consider the specific nuance you want to convey, as options like "most important" and "essential" offer varying degrees of emphasis. Remember to use "paramount" judiciously, reserving it for situations where underscoring supreme importance is truly warranted. As Ludwig's examples illustrate, "paramount" emphasizes the priority and criticality of the matter at hand.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most important

A more straightforward and commonly used alternative, lacking the formal tone of "paramount".

of utmost importance

Similar in meaning, but slightly more emphatic than "paramount".

chief

Focuses on being the leading or ruling element, rather than just important.

principal

Implies being the main or primary element, not necessarily the most crucial.

foremost

Emphasizes being at the front or in the leading position.

dominant

Suggests having control or influence, rather than just importance.

supreme

Indicates the highest level of authority or power, potentially stronger than "paramount".

critical

Highlights the necessity or essential nature of something.

essential

Emphasizes the fundamental nature of something, suggesting it's indispensable.

overriding

Signifies taking precedence over all other considerations.

FAQs

How to use "paramount" in a sentence?

Use "paramount" to describe something of the highest importance or significance. For example, "The safety of our employees is of "utmost importance"" or "Maintaining confidentiality is "crucial" to our operations".

What can I say instead of "paramount"?

You can use alternatives like "most important", "chief", or "essential" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "paramount" or "of paramount importance"?

Both are correct, but "paramount" is the adjective, while "of paramount importance" is a prepositional phrase. The choice depends on the sentence structure you prefer. For example, "Safety is paramount" vs. "Safety is of paramount importance".

What's the difference between "paramount" and "important"?

"Paramount" indicates the highest level of importance, surpassing all others, while "important" simply means having significance or value. "Paramount" conveys a stronger sense of priority and criticality.