the foremost reason

USAGE SUMMARY

'the foremost reason' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the most important or primary reason for something. For example, "The foremost reason for his success is his hard work and dedication."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

In 2006, by contrast, lack of time was the foremost reason cited.

The New York Times

It may still be the impetus for his stories, but it is no longer the foremost reason they're interesting.

The New York Times - Books

"The foremost reason is that the taxi industry has benefited from the overall drop in crime, but we believe partitions have played a significant roles as well".

The New York Times

Former Senator Judd Gregg of New Hampshire, a Republican who served on the Budget Committee, said the "working center in the Senate" remained the foremost reason to expect a compromise.

The New York Times

It has also been reported that pain is the foremost reason for patient aversion and discontinuing treatment [5, 6].

Progress in Orthodontics

The foremost reason for the power grid having only very few information and communication technologies installed and integrated has been the high costs of such systems in relation to their benefits.

EURASIP Journal on Embedded Systems

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Among the foremost reasons for this is the eventual development of obstructive chronic lung allograft dysfunction.

Stanford University

AAP is one of the foremost reasons for why I chose Cornell.

Cornell University

Preservation of the security of the Nation from its enemies, foreign and domestic, is the obligation of government and one of the foremost reasons for government to exist.

Cornell University

Ironically, when Congress was weighing air strikes in Syria in August 2013, just four months after the failed background checks vote, one of the foremost reasons lawmakers cited in opposing the Obama administration's plan was polling that showed 90% of Americans were against intervention.

The Guardian

This inclusiveness is likely one of the foremost reasons so many people turned out in Raleigh on Saturday — Reverend Barber has provided a forum for North Carolina residents to voice their complaints with the state government, and they welcome all who have something to say.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the foremost reason" to clearly emphasize the primary or most important reason among several others. It adds a level of formality and importance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "the foremost reason" in casual or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "the main reason" or "the top reason" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the foremost reason" functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies and emphasizes the most important cause or justification. Ludwig examples show its role in clarifying primary motivations or factors.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

36%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the foremost reason" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that serves to highlight the primary cause or justification for a particular situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's best suited for formal contexts, such as academic papers, news articles, and business reports, where emphasizing the most important factor is crucial. While alternatives like "the main reason" or "the primary reason" exist, "the foremost reason" adds a touch of formality and emphasis. Be mindful of the register and avoid overuse in casual writing. Its function is to prioritize and clarify the key factor among many.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the primary reason

Replaces "foremost" with "primary", indicating the main reason.

the main reason

Substitutes "foremost" with "main", offering a more common alternative.

the leading reason

Uses "leading" instead of "foremost", suggesting the reason that is most prominent.

the principal reason

Replaces "foremost" with "principal", implying the most important reason.

the top reason

Substitutes "foremost" with "top", a more informal way of indicating the most important reason.

the paramount reason

Uses "paramount" instead of "foremost", emphasizing the supreme importance of the reason.

the overriding reason

Replaces "foremost" with "overriding", suggesting that this reason takes precedence over others.

the key reason

Substitutes "foremost" with "key", indicating a crucial or essential reason.

the predominant reason

Uses "predominant" instead of "foremost", suggesting the most influential or common reason.

the most significant reason

Replaces "foremost" with "most significant", highlighting the importance of the reason.

FAQs

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

You can use "the foremost reason" to highlight the primary cause or justification for something. For instance, "The foremost reason for his success was his unwavering dedication."

What are some alternatives to "the foremost reason"?

Alternatives include "the primary reason", "the main reason", or "the leading reason", depending on the context and level of formality you want to convey.

Is "the foremost reason" interchangeable with "the most important reason"?

While similar, "the foremost reason" implies a more hierarchical ordering of reasons, suggesting it's not just important but also takes precedence over others. "The most important reason" simply highlights significance.

When is it appropriate to use "the foremost reason" in writing?

Use "the foremost reason" in formal writing, academic papers, or when you want to emphasize the primary cause among several contributing factors. In casual contexts, simpler alternatives may be more suitable.