the most thing

USAGE SUMMARY

"the most thing" is not correct or usable in written English.
Instead, a phrase such as "the most important thing," "the most essential thing," or "the most essential element" should be used. For example, "Securing a good education is the most essential thing for a successful career."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The Russian-born singer said of her entry this year: "The most thing special is the song itself.

Independent

Everything is the most thing or the greatest thing.

Los Angeles Times

"I feel like spirituality is the most thing in our lives," Brand explains to his straight man and Roosevelt Institute fellow, Matt Stoller, wondering why the US and UK don't have a figure similar to the Dalai Lama.

Huffington Post

The memories which you always wish that it became like an air has no affect on you is the most thing that you can learn & gain an experience from it.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The most bizarre thing.

The New York Times

"The most horrible thing".

The New York Times

The most worrying thing?

The Guardian - Tech

The most pleasing thing?

The Guardian - Film

The most frightening thing?

The New York Times

The most important thing is the outs".

The New York Times - Sports

"The most important thing is the team.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using the grammatically questionable phrase "the most thing", opt for clearer alternatives like "the most important thing", "the most crucial aspect", or "the primary focus" to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "the most thing" as a catch-all phrase when you can be more specific. For instance, instead of saying "For me, the most thing is freedom", try "For me, the most important value is freedom" to enhance precision and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the most thing" is generally used to express a superlative quality or importance, though it is grammatically incorrect. While some examples exist, Ludwig AI points out that it should be replaced with a more grammatically sound alternative.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

40%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while "the most thing" appears in some contexts, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI suggests opting for more precise and grammatically sound alternatives, such as "the most important thing" or "the most significant aspect", to ensure clarity and effective communication. The phrase tends to occur in informal contexts and should be avoided in formal or professional writing. Using clearer language will enhance the impact and precision of your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the most important thing

Replaces the vague "thing" with a clear indicator of significance, emphasizing what holds the greatest value or priority.

the most essential thing

Highlights the fundamental necessity of something, shifting from a general term to one specifying crucial importance.

the most significant aspect

Replaces the informal "thing" with "aspect" to denote the major attribute and focuses on its importance.

the greatest challenge

Specifies a difficulty as being the most prominent, moving from a general term to a specific problem.

the biggest problem

Highlights the most significant issue or obstacle, offering a more direct alternative.

the primary concern

Indicates the foremost worry or matter of interest, replacing the vague "thing" with a more precise subject of attention.

the key element

Emphasizes a critical component or factor, substituting "thing" with a term denoting integral importance.

the main priority

Focuses on what is most crucial or deserving of attention, clarifying the intent behind "the most thing".

the utmost importance

Highlights the high level of significance attached to something, distancing from a concrete object.

the central idea

Shifts from generalities to denote the most important concept, theme or thought.

FAQs

What phrases can I use instead of "the most thing"?

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

Is "the most thing" grammatically correct?

No, "the most thing" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. It's better to use a more specific and grammatically sound phrase.

How can I make my writing clearer than using "the most thing"?

Replace "the most thing" with a phrase that clearly indicates what you are referring to, such as "the biggest problem", "the key element", or "the main priority".

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

"The most thing" is vague and grammatically questionable, while "the most important thing" is a clear and grammatically correct way to express what holds the greatest value or priority.