think first and foremost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "think first and foremost" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the importance of prioritizing thoughts or considerations before taking action or making decisions. Example: "When approaching this problem, we must think first and foremost about the potential impact on our community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

"He's also somebody who's, I think, first and foremost, thinking about how to embrace people as opposed to push them away.

The New York Times

And he's also somebody who's, I think first and foremost, thinking about how to embrace people as opposed to push them away — how to find what's good in them as opposed to condemn them.

The New York Times

I think first and foremost you have to have a basic love of humanity.

Independent

"I think first and foremost of the stable union of man and woman in marriage".

The New York Times

We need to think first and foremost about how the street works for people".

The Guardian

MICHAEL MANKINS: Well, I think first and foremost, they can actually start by understanding where organizational time is currently deployed.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

I thought first and foremost I owed it to the Mayor and New Yorkers to resign and accept responsibility for my actions.

The New York Times

And Cutty Sark: who now thinks, first and foremost, of the little witch showing a lot of leg in Burns Tamm o' Shanter?

The Guardian - Opinion

He thinks first and foremost of the markets; when one kind of good begins to go off slackly, he is ready with something new and appetising".

The Guardian - Books

Achilles is a free agent, a loner — an only child whose aged father is back home in Greece, far from the action, a warrior who thinks first and foremost of, about, and for himself.

The New Yorker

Especially in times of acute crisis, the UN tends to lose any collective identity of its own; everyone involved thinks first and foremost as a national of his or her own country.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "think first and foremost", ensure that it introduces the most crucial consideration before other points. This phrase is best used to set the stage for what truly matters in a decision-making process.

Common error

Avoid using "think first and foremost" too frequently in your writing. Overuse can diminish its impact and make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, vary your language with alternatives like "consider primarily" or "focus primarily on".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "think first and foremost" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. It emphasizes the priority or importance of a particular thought or consideration, indicating what should be considered most importantly before all else. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "think first and foremost" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that highlights the primary consideration in a given situation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Its frequent appearance in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts suggests a neutral register suitable for various audiences. When writing, it's advisable to use it strategically to emphasize key points and avoid overuse. Semantically related phrases such as "consider primarily" or "focus primarily on" can serve as effective alternatives to avoid repetition. Ultimately, this phrase functions as an adverbial modifier, prioritizing specific thoughts and guiding readers to focus on the most important aspects of a discussion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consider primarily

Emphasizes consideration but omits the temporal aspect of "first" and replaces "foremost" with "primarily".

focus primarily on

Highlights focus as the primary action, differing from the broader 'think' but keeping the emphasis on what comes first.

mainly consider

Replaces 'first and foremost' with 'mainly' to denote the main point of consideration.

primarily reflect on

Uses "reflect on" to replace "think", suggesting deeper contemplation, while maintaining the priority with "primarily".

chiefly contemplate

Employs "contemplate" for a more thoughtful consideration and "chiefly" instead of "first and foremost".

above all consider

Highlights the importance of considering something over everything else, replacing "first and foremost" with "above all".

principally consider

Replaces 'first and foremost' with 'principally' to convey the main point to consider.

especially consider

Focuses on the act of considering something with special attention, similar to prioritizing.

most importantly consider

Directly indicates the importance of consideration, replacing "first and foremost" with "most importantly".

primarily take into account

Uses the phrase "take into account" to replace "think", indicating a more formal consideration.

FAQs

How can I use "think first and foremost" in a sentence?

You can use "think first and foremost" to introduce the most important consideration before discussing other points. For example: "When addressing climate change, we must "think first and foremost" about reducing carbon emissions."

What does "think first and foremost" mean?

"Think first and foremost" means to consider something as the most important or primary thing before anything else. It highlights prioritization in thought or action.

Are there formal alternatives to "think first and foremost"?

Yes, formal alternatives include "consider primarily", "principally consider", or "primarily take into account". These phrases offer a more sophisticated tone for professional or academic writing.

Is it better to use "think first and foremost" or "consider first and foremost"?

Both "think first and foremost" and "consider first and foremost" are grammatically correct. The choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey. "Consider" implies a more deliberate evaluation, while "think" can be a more general reflection.