[Vocabulary] first and foremost. I believe this word is so helpful, but I can't use it.

[saloom2]

Hello everyone,

I would like to know how to use first and foremost in sentences, especially when I want to express advantages and disadvantages.

Can I say: It is my opinion, first and foremost, .........?

 

[Grumpy]

You should say, "It is my opinion that, first and foremost,...." so that the "first and foremost" is part of what your opinion is, rather than referring only to the fact that you have an opinion.

 

[Nehushtan]

Re: “First and foremost”

You can also say, “It is my opinion, first and foremost, that ….”

 

[Grumpy]

Re: “First and foremost”

I'm sorry, Nehushtan, but I don't agree. As I wrote above: if you put it like that, you are saying that the mere fact that you have an opinion about the matter is the most important element of your total statement.

 

[Nehushtan]

Re: “First and foremost”

As I wrote above: if you put it like that, you are saying that the mere fact that you have an opinion about the matter is the most important element of your total statement.

I don’t agree with that myself. A clause can be modified by putting the modifying phrase before the conjuction “that” as well as after.

• It is my opinion, first and foremost, that Plan A will waste money, and second, that Plan B will save money.
• It is my opinion that, first and foremost, Plan A will waste money, and second, Plan B will save money.

I don’t see any difference between these two sentences (or what they have to do with the fact that the speaker has an opinion).

 

[5jj]

Re: “First and foremost”

1. It is my opinion, first and foremost, that Plan A will waste money, and second, that Plan B will save money.
It is my opinion that, first and foremost, Plan A will waste money, and second, Plan B will save money.

I don’t see any difference between these two sentences (or what they have to do with the fact that the speaker has an opinion).

I agree with Grumpy. I think that in #1, 'first and foremost' could appear to go with 'my opinion'.

 

[Nehushtan]

Re: “First and foremost”

If you wanted “first and foremost” to apply to your having an opinion, it would be better to phrase it this way: “My opinion, first and foremost, is ….”

 

[SoothingDave]

Re: “First and foremost”

I thought "first and foremost" sounded trite when this thread started, and its continued use here only reinforces my opinion.

 

[Grumpy]

Re: “First and foremost”

Good call, SoothingDave. The rest is silence...