what most stood out

USAGE SUMMARY

"what most stood out" is a correctly formed sentence fragment and is perfectly usable in written English.
It can be used when the speaker/writer is describing something or someone that stands out from the rest in some way. For example, "The thing that most stood out about her was her enthusiasm and energy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Wiki

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

As for what most stands out for her, she says it's The Last Picture Show, above.

Huffington Post

I ask Stamatis what moment most stands out to him from their time spent together.

Vice

We asked some of the brightest stars in the Arab-American literary firmament what they think most stands out about Arab-American literature today.

Huffington Post

She calls the article "eye-opening" and says she is "inspired" by the "bravery" of these dedicated female athletes, which shows how the news can have an emotional impact on a reader: What most predominantly stood out to me in the article was the courage of these women.

The New York Times

"What stood out most clearly about Saddam was his insulation," a Pentagon analyst later said.

Los Angeles Times

What stood out as most fascinating, alarming, amusing, or important?

The Guardian

T.T.: What stood out to you most about the style and look of your character Alison in "Little Birds"?

The New York Times

What above stands out most to you?

HuffPost

What accomplishment stands out the most and causes you to really reflect on everything you've had to do to reach this place?

Forbes

Then what will stand out the most will be the content of your message and the inner power and energy with which you deliver it.

HuffPost

What might stand out the most and be noticed?

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what most stood out" to introduce a key observation or highlight after presenting information, ensuring the most impactful element is clearly emphasized.

Common error

Avoid using "what most stood out" in highly formal or technical reports where more precise and analytical language is expected. Opt for phrases like "the most significant aspect" or "the primary characteristic" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what most stood out" functions as a noun phrase introducing a key observation or highlight. It often serves as the subject or complement of a clause, emphasizing the most prominent aspect of a subject under discussion, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "what most stood out" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to emphasize the most significant or memorable aspect of a subject. As Ludwig AI highlights, it functions as a noun phrase to draw attention to key findings across diverse contexts such as News & Media, Academia, and Formal & Business settings. When writing, remember that it is best suited for a neutral and direct tone while it’s important to avoid it in formal analysis where phrases like "most notable aspect" are preferred.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most significant aspect

Stresses the importance and impact of a particular element.

prominent feature

Highlights a characteristic that is easily noticeable and important.

most notable aspect

Focuses on the noteworthiness of an attribute, emphasizing its prominence.

most striking thing

Emphasizes the most visually or emotionally impressive element.

main feature

Identifies the most significant element or component.

primary highlight

Emphasizes the most important or exciting part.

key takeaway

Highlights the main point or lesson learned.

defining attribute

Identifies the key characteristic that distinguishes something.

chief characteristic

Points out the most important feature or trait.

major selling point

Focuses on the most attractive or persuasive quality.

FAQs

How can I use "what most stood out" in a sentence?

You can use "what most stood out" to introduce a key observation or highlight after presenting information. For example, "After reviewing the data, what most stood out was the significant increase in customer engagement."

What can I say instead of "what most stood out"?

You can use alternatives like "most notable aspect", "key takeaway", or "primary highlight" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "what most stands out" or "what stands out most"?

Both "what most stands out" and "what stands out most" are grammatically correct and convey the same meaning. The choice often depends on stylistic preference.

What's the difference between "what stood out" and "what most stood out"?

"What stood out" generally refers to something noticeable. "What most stood out" emphasizes that something was particularly prominent or significant compared to other aspects. It implies a stronger degree of salience.