what I value most

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what I value most" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing the highest importance or priority you place on something in your life or beliefs. Example: "In my life, what I value most is the time spent with my family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Personal reflections

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Character development is what I value most as a reader of fiction.

The New York Times - Books

What I value most as a listener is the sense of a singular creative personality coalescing from anonymous sounds.

The New Yorker

Then he said: "What I value most about my marriage is that it is separate and apart from a lot of the silliness of Washington, and Michelle is not part of that silliness".

The New York Times

What I value most in "Herzog" are not the erudite letters to Nietzsche, God, Adlai Stevenson and others — a lot of these are fun, though I don't have the education to get a lot of the references — but this portrait of a neurotic American Jew of my father's age.

The New York Times

"I'll be looking to you, and the rest of the Joint Chiefs, for what I value most in my advisers, your honest, unvarnished advice, and the full range of options, especially when it comes to our most solemn obligation, protecting the lives of our brave men and women in uniform," Mr. Obama said to the general in a ceremony in the Rose Garden.

The New York Times

After all, what I value most about the book now that it's written is that I can hold it in my hand as proof that, although I certainly do indulge in idle daydreams, I am still capable of doing a good deal more than that.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

But what I valued most was the healthy outdoor life; eating, drinking and spending less, and swimming in the sea before breakfast.

The Guardian - Travel

And what I valued most about the progressive leaders in the generations before mine was their humility.

Huffington Post

Also, she found work satisfaction: "I realized that I changed tremendously in America...and what I valued most was the possibility to make an impact for what I did, in the workplace...I came into my own in the US".

Huffington Post

What's your advice on how to lead and manage? A. What I've learned is that what I value the most is common sense.

The New York Times

Maria wrote in her diary, "I do love Tennessee and don't think there is anyone alive who is more sweet and gentle, kind and generous and so full of talent.... His companionship and support are what I value now most in my life".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what I value most" to clearly communicate your priorities in both personal and professional contexts.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple sentences or paragraphs with "what I value most". Instead, vary your sentence structure by using synonyms like "my priority is" or "I cherish".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what I value most" functions as a noun clause, often serving as the subject complement in a sentence. It identifies and emphasizes the speaker's top priorities or deeply held beliefs. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its use in expressing personal values.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Books

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "what I value most" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to articulate one's top priorities or beliefs. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's applicable in various contexts, ranging from formal declarations to personal reflections. The expression is commonly found in news and media, offering a versatile way to communicate personal values, it is however also found in books. While perfectly acceptable, varying your sentence structure and avoiding overuse of this specific phrasing can enhance your writing. This allows for better emphasis and clarity within your communication. There are many alternatives available such as what is most important to me or my highest priority that you may want to use instead.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what I cherish most

Replaces "value" with "cherish", implying a deeper emotional connection.

what is most important to me

Uses a more direct and common phrasing to convey importance.

my highest priority

Focuses on ranking something as the most important item.

what I hold dearest

Emphasizes emotional attachment and personal significance.

what I appreciate most

Highlights gratitude and positive regard.

what I prize above all else

Suggests a high level of worth and exclusivity.

the thing I esteem most

Uses a more formal and reflective tone.

my greatest source of fulfillment

Connects value to personal satisfaction and purpose.

what I deem most crucial

Emphasizes necessity and critical importance.

the essence of my beliefs

Connects values to core principles and convictions.

FAQs

How can I use "what I value most" in a sentence?

You can use "what I value most" to introduce a personal belief, priority, or principle. For example, "What I value most is honesty in all my relationships."

What are some alternatives to "what I value most"?

You can use alternatives like "what is most important to me", "my highest priority", or "what I cherish most" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "what I value the most"?

Yes, both "what I value most" and "what I value the most" are grammatically correct, though "what I value most" is more common and slightly more concise.

When should I use "what I value most" instead of "what I like most"?

"What I value most" implies a deeper, more meaningful importance compared to "what I like most", which refers to preferences. Use "what I value most" when discussing principles, priorities, or core beliefs.