the strongest thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the strongest thing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an object, idea, or concept that possesses the highest level of strength or power in a particular context. Example: "In the face of adversity, love is often considered the strongest thing that can help us overcome challenges."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

HuffPost

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Money is the strongest thing in the world.

The New Yorker

The strongest thing a man can do is cry.

The New York Times

An abstract idea is probably the strongest thing there is".

The Guardian - Music

I think family is the strongest thing you can have.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"The strongest thing about me is my honesty.

The New Yorker

"The strongest thing about John, for me, was his sense of humor".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Perhaps the powerful should remember that determined people are the strongest things on the planet.

The Guardian

"His descriptions of the famine in Ukraine are the strongest things he wrote," she says.

The Guardian

"One of the strongest things about the project is that it costs nothing and there's no mechanical or chemical processes," she says.

The Guardian

"For me, one of the strongest things about Martin was him taking something very popular, common or cheap and turning it into something chic," Meirens says.

The New York Times

"I think one of the strongest things about CHHMP is that the patients will come back, not because we've provided all this extensive, free care but because they feel they've been listened to," says Dr. Spears.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the strongest thing" to emphasize the paramount importance or influence of a specific entity or concept in a given situation. For instance, "In negotiations, preparation is often the strongest thing you can bring to the table."

Common error

Avoid using "the strongest thing" in overly abstract or vague contexts where a more specific descriptor would provide clarity. Instead of saying "Love is the strongest thing", specify the aspect of strength, such as "Love provides the strongest support during hardship".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the strongest thing" functions as a noun phrase, where 'strongest' is a superlative adjective modifying the noun 'thing'. As evidenced by Ludwig, it typically serves as a subject complement or object in a sentence, identifying what holds the greatest power or influence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

HuffPost

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

1%

Science

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the strongest thing" is a versatile and frequently used phrase that highlights the paramount power or influence of something. According to Ludwig, its grammatical correctness and prevalence across diverse sources, particularly in news and media, underscore its reliability in both formal and informal contexts. This analysis recommends using the phrase to emphasize key influential elements, while avoiding overly abstract or imprecise applications. While alternatives exist, none carry the precise superlative force of "the strongest thing".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the most powerful element

Replaces "strongest" with its direct synonym "most powerful".

the strongest attribute

Emphasizes a quality that provides superiority or effectiveness.

the greatest force

Substitutes "strongest thing" with "greatest force", emphasizing impact rather than inherent strength.

the primary strength

Highlights that something is a key or main strength.

the most resilient aspect

Focuses on the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties.

the supreme power

Uses "supreme power" to suggest ultimate control and influence.

the ultimate advantage

Indicates something providing the highest degree of benefit.

the core capability

Refers to a fundamental element of strength or ability.

the key attribute

Highlights the importance of a defining, powerful characteristic.

the dominant trait

Focuses on an attribute that has significant influence or control.

FAQs

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

You can use "the strongest thing" to highlight what possesses the most power or influence in a specific context. For example, "In a crisis, unity is often "the strongest thing" that can help a community overcome challenges."

What are some alternatives to "the strongest thing"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "the most powerful element", "the greatest force", or "the ultimate advantage".

Is it correct to say "most strongest thing" instead of "the strongest thing"?

No, "most strongest thing" is grammatically incorrect. The superlative form "strongest" already implies 'most strong', so adding "most" is redundant. The correct form is ""the strongest thing"".

What is the difference between "the strongest thing" and "a strong thing"?

"The strongest thing" refers to something that is superior in strength compared to all others in a given context. "A strong thing" simply indicates that something possesses considerable strength, without necessarily being the most powerful.