tops the list

USAGE SUMMARY

"tops the list" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to indicate that something is at the highest or top position on a given list. For example, "This year's movie releases topped the list for most ticket sales."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Service tops the list.

The New York Times

Privacy legislation tops the list.

The Economist

China tops the list.

The Guardian

· Salary tops the list.

The Guardian

(Rudolf Nureyev surely tops the list).

The New York Times - Arts

Google tops the list of Web brands.

The New York Times

Emotional intelligence tops the list.

Harvard Business Review

And Phil tops the list.

MIT Technology Review

The securities industry tops the list.

The New York Times

New York tops the list for value.

The New York Times

Most would agree, however, that bad publicity tops the list.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Make sure that the context is clear so that it's obvious which list you are referring to.

Common error

Avoid using "tops the list" without clearly establishing the list to which you are referring. Ambiguity can confuse your readers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tops the list" functions as a predicate, indicating that a particular item holds the highest position in a ranking or enumeration. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tops the list" is a versatile expression used to denote the highest-ranked or most important item in a given enumeration. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and very commonly used. It's frequently found in news and media, but also sees use in formal business contexts and academic writing. When using the phrase, ensure the list to which you are referring is clear to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "is the highest ranked" or "is of paramount importance", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is the highest ranked

Directly refers to a superior position in a ranking system.

is the most important

Stresses the significance rather than the position in a list.

is number one

A more informal way of saying "is in first place".

is in first place

Emphasizes the leading position in a competition or ranking.

is the leading

Indicates a primary or dominant role.

is the best

Focuses on superiority rather than ranking.

is paramount

Emphasizes the supreme importance of something.

is at the forefront

Highlights a leading position in innovation or progress.

is preeminent

Stresses the superior quality or skill.

stands out

Highlights that something is noticeable or superior.

FAQs

How can I use "tops the list" in a sentence?

Use "tops the list" to indicate the item with the highest rank or importance within a defined set. For instance, "For effective time management, prioritizing tasks /s/tops+the+list/".

What's a formal alternative to "tops the list"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "is the highest ranked" or "is of paramount importance" instead of /s/tops+the+list/.

What does it mean when something "tops the list"?

It means that something is in the first position, either because it is the best, most important, or most frequent in a ranked or ordered compilation. An alternative could be using the phrase "is the highest ranked".

Which is correct, "top of the list" or "tops the list"?

"Top of the list" refers to the highest position in a ranking, while "tops the list" indicates that something occupies that position. They have slightly different meanings. It is possible to use both correctly.