the foremost question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the foremost question" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
For example, you could write, "The foremost question on everyone's mind is how to get through the current health crisis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

The foremost question for the Times is financial.

The New Yorker

WASHINGTON — The scheduled meeting Tuesday of the Federal Reserve's policy-making committee is unlikely to resolve the foremost question confronting the central bank: What happens next?

The New York Times

Because as he deliberated and dwelled over his options at quarterback in November, the foremost question in the coach's mind will not have regarded which player was more talented or could put up the gaudiest numbers.

The Guardian - Sport

The foremost question however remains - why is κ max larger than one in the first place?

Nanoscale Research Letters

The foremost question is a political one: how should society be reorganized?

SEP

"How could this happen?" is often the foremost question about the Holocaust.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

In 1865, in further pursuit of perfection, Noyes's Oneida newspaper, "The Circular," took note of the ideas of eugenics then becoming current and proclaimed in an editorial that "human breeding should be one of the foremost questions of the age, transcending in its sublime interest all present political and scientific questions".

The New York Times

Any situation calls for the one foremost question to be analyzed: who decides upon what for whom, why, how, on which grounds and with which consequences for whom?

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

The first and foremost question concerns the exact mechanisms that lead to spontaneous resolution of inflammation in gout.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

In the FAQ section, the first and foremost question is, "Is this for real?" To which Mr. O answers: "Yes".

Vice

"The first and foremost question is are we all committed to achieving competitive regional rugby in Wales," said Davies.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the foremost question", ensure it clearly identifies the most crucial issue among many, guiding the focus of the discussion or analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "the foremost question" when there are multiple equally important questions. Ensure that the question you highlight truly takes precedence over others to maintain clarity and precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the foremost question" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a specific question as being of primary importance. Examples from Ludwig show its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the foremost question" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. It serves to highlight the most important question in a discussion or analysis. While it is not exceedingly common, occurring with "Uncommon" frequency, its use is appropriate across diverse contexts such as news, science, and encyclopedias. When using this phrase, ensure that the question you identify truly takes precedence to maintain clarity. Alternatives like "the primary concern" or "the key question" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Ludwig provides several examples that illustrate the phrase's correct usage and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the most important question

Directly emphasizes the significance of the inquiry.

the critical question

Emphasizes that the question is essential and vital.

the key question

Highlights the essential interrogative that needs answering.

the primary concern

Emphasizes the element of importance and worry that needs addressing.

the chief concern

Highlights the most significant worry or anxiety.

the central query

Stresses the core inquiry that needs to be investigated.

the pressing question

Highlights the urgency and importance of the question.

the main issue

Focuses on the central problem requiring attention.

the overriding question

Implies a question that takes precedence over all others.

the burning question

Indicates a question that is highly debated or of great current interest.

FAQs

How can I use "the foremost question" in a sentence?

Use "the foremost question" to introduce the most important query or issue within a discussion or analysis. For example, "The foremost question is whether we can secure funding for the project".

What is a good alternative to "the foremost question"?

You can use alternatives like "the primary concern", "the main issue", or "the key question" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "the foremost question" and "the main question"?

"The foremost question" emphasizes a question that is of highest importance or ranks above all others, whereas "the main question" simply refers to the principal question being addressed, without necessarily implying it's the most important.

When should I use "the foremost question" instead of "the first question"?

Use "the foremost question" when you want to highlight the most important issue, not necessarily the one that comes first chronologically. "The first question" simply refers to the initial question asked.