the predominant thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the predominant thing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the most important or influential element in a particular context or situation. Example: "In this discussion, the predominant thing to consider is the impact of climate change on our environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

And when that happens, Mr. Eastlake said, "freak accidents will end up being the predominant thing".

The New York Times

"I think the predominant thing to pay attention to is diet," she said.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

It was always one of the predominant things in our family.

The New Yorker

Cf. "Nothing is really solid or fluid, absolutely speaking, and everything has a certain degree of solidity or fluidity; which term we apply to a thing derives from the predominant appearance it presents to our senses" (SD 51/AG 1351/AG

SEP

The predominant emotional gestalt of the whole thing is downright dour in places.

Vice

Jfutral commented: “As long as we are a consumerist society, where buying things is still the predominant way of acquiring pretty much anything, renting will always have a less appealing air about it.”.

Forbes

We are all grateful that this way of looking at things is not the predominant mode in our time, but Yom HaShoah, the Day of Destruction, reminds us of the radical threat that such inbuilt anti-Jewish prejudice poses.

Huffington Post

The thing about it being the predominant way people work right now is that most people have never known anything else.

Vice

Before pregnancy, the predominant reason for having trouble sleeping was "things on my mind" (51%); however, by the third trimester, this was superseded by discomfort (67%), although pain and "things on my mind" still featured in 36% of respondents.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Once we started getting arrested because of fights, because of minor crimes and other things, we had to assimilate to the predominant culture inside the juvenile hall system, which is the more traditional gang style.

Huffington Post

The ability to find things out quickly and accurately would become the predominant skill.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the predominant thing", ensure the context clearly establishes what other, less significant things are being overshadowed. This provides a stronger contrast and makes your point more impactful.

Common error

Avoid using "the predominant thing" without clearly defining what "thing" refers to. Vague usage weakens the statement. Instead, specify what aspect, factor, or element is most important in your context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the predominant thing" functions as a noun phrase, where "predominant" modifies the noun "thing". As evidenced by Ludwig, it identifies the most important or noticeable element in a given context, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the predominant thing" is a grammatically sound phrase used to emphasize the most significant aspect or factor in a situation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and showcases its usage across various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. While generally neutral to formal in tone, clarity is essential: ensure that the "thing" you're highlighting is well-defined. For alternatives, consider "the main factor" or "the key issue" to convey similar meanings. By using this phrase judiciously, you can effectively draw attention to what truly matters in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the prevalent aspect

Replaces "thing" with "aspect", focusing on a feature or quality.

the major factor

Substitutes "predominant" with "major" to denote significant importance.

the main element

Uses "main" to simplify the expression, indicating central importance.

the primary concern

Changes "thing" to "concern", shifting the focus to a worry or issue.

the central point

Replaces "thing" with "point", highlighting a key idea or argument.

the key issue

Uses "key issue" to emphasize a problem that needs to be resolved.

the principal feature

Emphasizes a notable characteristic using "principal feature".

the most significant aspect

Expands the phrase for emphasis, denoting considerable importance.

the dominant trait

Uses "dominant trait" to describe a prevailing characteristic.

the overriding factor

Indicates a factor that is more important than any other.

FAQs

How can I use "the predominant thing" in a sentence?

Use "the predominant thing" to highlight the most significant aspect, factor, or element in a particular situation. For example, "In choosing a college, "the predominant thing" to consider is your field of study".

What can I say instead of "the predominant thing"?

You can use alternatives like "the main factor", "the key issue", or "the principal feature" depending on the specific context.

Is it more effective to say "the predominant thing" or "the most important thing"?

Both phrases are valid, but ""the predominant thing"" suggests a stronger sense of something overshadowing other elements, while "the most important thing" simply indicates high significance.

When is it appropriate to use "the predominant thing" in formal writing?

"The predominant thing" is appropriate in formal writing when you need to emphasize a particular factor that is more influential or noticeable than others. Ensure your context is clear and the choice aligns with the level of formality.