top of mind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "top of mind" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to refer to something that is easily accessible in one's mind, or to refer to a product, brand, or item that is remembered most clearly. For example, "Apple is top of mind when consumers think of technology."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

"Anything top of mind?

The New Yorker

GOVERNMENT debt has been top of mind this summer.

The New York Times

"It has not been top of mind," she said.

The New York Times

"We fill conversational spaces by saying what's top of mind.

The New York Times

This seems to be top of mind for the platform.

The Guardian - Tech

Tolerance is always top of mind," she said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

He wants to keep this disease top-of-mind".

The New York Times - Sports

"I want us to be top-of-mind".

The New York Times

"It is no longer a top-of-mind issue for most voters.

The New York Times

"We want protecting consumers against food-borne illness to be top-of-mind all the time".

The New York Times

"We need to make it more top-of-mind, give it a little nudge".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "top of mind" to describe something that is currently a priority or easily remembered. For example, when discussing marketing strategies, mention that the goal is to keep a brand "top of mind" for consumers.

Common error

Avoid using "top of mind" when you simply mean 'important' without the connotation of immediate recall or current awareness. If something is crucial but not necessarily being actively considered, another phrase might be more fitting.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "top of mind" functions primarily as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that something is at the forefront of one's thoughts or considerations. Ludwig AI indicates it is used to describe something that is easily accessible in one's mind.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "top of mind" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression that signifies something being readily remembered or of high current priority. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, highlighting its function to emphasize immediate awareness. Predominantly found in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse communications. To enhance clarity and impact, consider alternative expressions like "foremost in one's thoughts" or "of greatest concern" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Foremost in one's thoughts

Emphasizes the thought process and current mental state.

Of greatest concern

Highlights the level of worry or importance attached to the matter.

Primary importance

Focuses on the hierarchical ranking of importance.

At the forefront

Implies being in a leading or prominent position in thought.

Front and center

Suggests being highly visible and easily noticed or remembered.

Upper most in consideration

Highlights that an item is in the highest position of priority in a decision making moment.

Most pressing

Highlights urgency and the need for immediate attention.

Central to attention

Emphasizes the focal point of consideration or awareness.

Dominant thought

Denotes a thought that has the greatest influence on one's mind.

Easily recalled

Focuses on how easily something can be brought back into memory.

FAQs

How can I use "top of mind" in a sentence?

You can use "top of mind" to indicate that something is currently a priority or easily remembered. For example: 'Customer satisfaction is always "top of mind" for our team.'

What can I say instead of "top of mind"?

You can use alternatives like "foremost in one's thoughts", "of greatest concern", or "primary importance" depending on the context.

Is "top of mind" an appropriate phrase for formal writing?

While "top of mind" is widely accepted, for highly formal contexts, you might consider alternatives such as "primary importance" or "of greatest concern" to maintain a more elevated tone.

How does "top of mind" differ from "important"?

"Top of mind" implies that something is not only important but also readily accessible in one's thoughts or memory. Something can be important without necessarily being "top of mind" at a particular moment.