paramount virtues

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "paramount virtues" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the most important or highest moral qualities or principles in a particular context. Example: "In our organization, integrity and honesty are considered paramount virtues that guide our decision-making."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It was produced at a time when clarity and elegance were held to be paramount virtues in philosophy, and before today's explosion of sub-disciplines cut philosophers off from much of their potential audience.

The Economist

Investors are no longer interested in secretive hedge fund managers and inscrutable quant trading strategies, and so personal relationships and personal responsibility on the part of financial advisers will be paramount virtues.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

A paramount virtue in journalism is being the first to reveal startling facts.

The New York Times

Perhaps the whole episode of Xi Jinping's disappearance has been of no consequence to the leaders themselves, who view secrecy, not transparency, as a paramount virtue.

The Economist

Eisgruber's practical recommendations for fixing the confirmation process boil down to having senators stand up for themselves during hearings, unafraid to say no, but his larger point is that, in pursuit of justice, moderation is the paramount virtue; even confirmed liberals and conservatives should, as a rule, prefer a moderate to someone who matches their more radical views.

The New Yorker

She regarded loyalty as the paramount virtue and anyone, even among her husband's greatest admirers, who went even the tiniest bit 'off message', as we would say now, would be brutally ejected from her circle, often never to be readmitted.

The Guardian - Books

Both the left and the right agree that respect for women is a paramount virtue.

Huffington Post

Modesty is considered a paramount virtue among Orthodox Jews, so the fact that frum porn exists is strange.

Vice

But with so much of the media locked into of what Jay Rosen memorably dubbed "the view from nowhere," in which balance is the paramount virtue, even over truth, the laundering of Trump's ugly rhetoric has been happening anyway.

Huffington Post

But I imagine he was probably taking his cues from the media, who have lately asserted that brusque, Northeastern "straight talk" is a paramount virtue that should be emulated by all.

Huffington Post

For Willy, who had lived the belief that likability was a paramount human virtue, the confession is crushing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "paramount virtues", ensure the context clearly defines the situation or field where these virtues are considered most important. For example, "In medical ethics, compassion and diligence are considered "paramount virtues".

Common error

Avoid using "paramount virtues" in casual conversation or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or pretentious. Opt for simpler phrases like "key values" or "important qualities" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "paramount virtues" functions as a noun phrase where "paramount" modifies "virtues". It emphasizes the supreme importance of certain moral qualities. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "paramount virtues" effectively conveys the highest level of importance attributed to certain moral qualities. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and usable in English, typically appearing in formal contexts such as news and media or scientific discussions. While semantically similar alternatives like "chief virtues" or "supreme virtues" exist, "paramount virtues" provides a distinct emphasis on the unparalleled significance of these qualities. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to ensure the context clearly establishes the specific domain where these virtues hold utmost importance. However, be cautious about overuse in informal settings, where a simpler expression might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chief virtues

Replaces "paramount" with "chief", indicating the most important virtues.

foremost virtues

Substitutes "paramount" with "foremost", suggesting the most prominent virtues.

principal virtues

Replaces "paramount" with "principal", indicating the main or primary virtues.

supreme virtues

Uses "supreme" instead of "paramount", emphasizing the highest degree of importance.

essential virtues

Substitutes "paramount" with "essential", highlighting the necessity of these virtues.

critical virtues

Replaces "paramount" with "critical", emphasizing the crucial nature of the virtues.

vital virtues

Uses "vital" instead of "paramount", stressing the importance of these virtues for success or well-being.

indispensable virtues

Substitutes "paramount" with "indispensable", highlighting that these virtues are necessary and can't be done without.

most important virtues

Rephrases the expression to explicitly state the importance of the virtues.

highest virtues

Replaces "paramount" with "highest", indicating that these are the virtues that are valued the most.

FAQs

How can I use "paramount virtues" in a sentence?

You can use "paramount virtues" to describe the most important qualities or principles in a specific context. For example: "Honesty and integrity are "paramount virtues" in journalism."

What are some alternatives to "paramount virtues"?

Some alternatives include "chief virtues", "foremost virtues", or "most important virtues", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "paramount virtues" formal or informal?

"Paramount virtues" is generally considered a formal phrase, best suited for academic, professional, or news-related contexts. Simpler alternatives are better for informal settings.

What is the difference between "paramount virtues" and "important virtues"?

"Paramount virtues" implies that these virtues are of the highest importance, surpassing all others in a given context, whereas "important virtues" simply suggests that they are significant but not necessarily the most crucial.