the paramount of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the paramount of" is not correct in standard written English. It should be used in contexts where "paramount" is an adjective, typically followed by a noun. An example could be: "The paramount importance of education cannot be overstated." Alternative expressions include "the highest," "the utmost," or "the supreme."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

He added: "Everyone understands the paramount of importance of bridging the sectarian divides".

The Guardian

Reed College Erotic Review #3 is the paramount of erotic release.

Vice

CD133 expression, because expressed also by normal neural stem cells, has been proposed to identify cells at the top of the hierarchy formed by tumor stem cells and their more differentiated progeny, and to be therefore the paramount of glioma stem cells.

BMC Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

It wants to emphasise the paramount importance of fundamental research for the whole of Europe.

Science Magazine

Atrianfar praised his "polite interrogators," said he was proud of his own "defeat," and spoke of the paramount importance of "preserving the system" in Iran.

The New Yorker

And who was one of the paramount leaders of the manic anti-regulatory charge that led to this sorry state of affairs?

The New York Times

The succes of HIAS attests to the paramount importance of adequate representation of heterogeneity in adsorption models.

Chemical Engineering Science

TOVESEI is the nephew of the paramount chief of the Trobriands and next in line to take the throne.

The New York Times - Travel

These included rapid improvements in anesthesia and clear demonstrations of the paramount importance of hygiene.

The New York Times - Health

Such handouts have raised few eyebrows, though self-sufficiency is one of the paramount mantras of American business.

The New York Times

Now the handcart has become one of the paramount symbols of Mormonism, with cart-pulling ceremonies and festivals held everywhere from Russia to Florida.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If you are tempted to use a "the ... of" structure, choose a noun like "pinnacle", "apex" or "summit" instead of an adjective.

Common error

A frequent mistake is the construction "the paramount of importance". This is redundant and grammatically flawed. Writers likely confuse the adjective with the noun "pinnacle". Simply use "paramount importance" to be concise and correct.

Linguistic Context

In the examples provided by Ludwig, the phrase "the paramount of" functions as a nominalized adjective phrase. However, in standard English, "paramount" is strictly an adjective. Its appearance as a noun (followed by "of") is often a hypercorrection or a stylistic slip where the writer intends to say "the peak of" or "the most important part of".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

35%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Social Media

5%

Informal Speech

3%

Professional Correspondence

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "the paramount of" is a non-standard linguistic construction that appears occasionally in high-prestige sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. As Ludwig AI notes, the word "paramount" is an adjective, and using it as a noun is generally regarded as a grammatical error. Most instances of this phrase are likely intended to be "the paramount importance of" or were meant to use a noun such as "pinnacle". For clear and professional writing, it is best to avoid this specific wording. Instead, use "paramount" as a direct modifier (e.g., "the paramount goal") or opt for a correct noun-based alternative like the height of or of paramount importance to ensure your meaning is conveyed with precision and standard grammar.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

paramount importance

Uses the word correctly as an adjective modifying a noun directly

of paramount importance

A standard prepositional phrase used to indicate something is essential

the pinnacle of

A noun phrase that correctly functions where users mistakenly use "the paramount of"

the height of

Refers to the maximum level or degree of something

the utmost

An adjective often used as a noun to mean the greatest possible degree

the highest degree of

A more descriptive and formal way to emphasize importance

the supreme

An adjective that, like paramount, should usually modify a noun but is more commonly seen as a nominalization

the priority of

Shifts the focus to the rank of importance

at the top of

A literal and figurative spatial metaphor for hierarchy

the essence of

Refers to the most important or central quality

FAQs

Is it correct to say "the paramount of"?

No, it is generally considered incorrect. "Paramount" is an adjective meaning superior to all others. You should use it to modify a noun, such as in ""paramount importance"".

What is the difference between "the paramount of" and "the pinnacle of"?

"The paramount of" is a grammatical error, whereas "the pinnacle of" is a correct noun phrase that refers to the highest point or level of something.

Can I use "the paramount of importance" in a formal essay?

It is better to avoid it. Even though it occasionally appears in journalism, editors usually prefer "of paramount importance" or "the paramount importance of something".

What are some synonyms for "the paramount of"?

Depending on the context, you can use "the height of", "the utmost" or "the summit of".