foremost
foremost — adjective
1. being the most important, respected, or well-known in a particular field or grou
being the most important, respected, or well-known in a particular field or group.
Dr. Okafor is considered the foremost expert on tropical diseases in West Africa.
foremost + expert for the top figure in a field
Environmental protection has become the foremost concern for the city council this year.
foremost + concern for top-priority issues
The library's collection of ancient manuscripts is among the foremost in the world.
Rania is regarded as the foremost violinist of her generation by music critics.
Safety remains the foremost priority when designing new playground equipment.
- leading
more common and less formal; works for companies, countries, or people in competitive contexts
- preeminent
more formal than 'foremost'; emphasizes universal recognition, especially in academic or artistic fields
- top
informal and versatile; used in everyday situations for anything from grades to priorities
- chief
most natural in institutional or organizational roles (chief executive, chief concern)
文法句型
foremost + noun
用法筆記
Typically used attributively — placed before the noun it modifies. Saying 'the expert is foremost' sounds unnatural; use 'the foremost expert' instead.
常見錯誤
foremost — adverb
1. as the most basic or important thing to consider, before all other matters.
as the most basic or important thing to consider, before all other matters.
First and foremost, we need to ensure every student has access to clean water.
sentence opener: first and foremost + clause
The committee's concern was first and foremost with the safety of the workers.
Jabari's goal was first and foremost to finish the project on time without cutting corners.
First and foremost, parents want their children to grow up safe and healthy.
- first of all
more neutral and less emphatic than 'first and foremost'
- above all
similar meaning but used to single out the most significant point among several
文法句型
first and foremost + [clause]
be + first and foremost
用法筆記
Most often occurs in the fixed phrase 'first and foremost,' used to introduce the single most important point. Using 'foremost' alone for this meaning is rare and may sound dated in modern English.
常見錯誤
2. used to single out the most significant point among several that have been menti
used to single out the most significant point among several that have been mentioned, often in a list or argument.
Several issues need attention, foremost among them the shortage of teachers in rural schools.
foremost among + noun phrase for the top item in a list
The charity focuses on education, healthcare, and foremost providing meals for hungry children.
Padma was chosen for her experience, her judgment, and foremost her integrity.
The new regulations aim, foremost, to reduce air pollution from coal-fired factories.
- most importantly
less formal and far more common in everyday usage
- above all
similar meaning, preferred in both formal and informal contexts
文法句型
foremost among + noun phrase
X, Y, and foremost Z
用法筆記
Often appears in the structure 'foremost among them/these' or as a sentence adverb set off by commas. In informal speech, 'above all' or 'most importantly' is far more common than using 'foremost' alone.