"Most Importantly" and "Most Important"
An Upsurge
Suddenly, there seems to be an upsurge in the number of people who are willing to sound more pompous in their delivery. And how are they achieving their aim? By preceding several sentences with an initial and over-worked "most importantly". Then, having done this, they continue along a road of no return, a treacherously downhill and rocky path, as they attempt to communicate what falls into the realm of "most importantly".
The Domino Effect
It's really interesting how one or two people would start a speech trend like this and then an entire speech community follows blindly, perpetuating the madness. Actually, this trend had stopped, but it is being revived for some unknown reason. And never forget the power of the domino effect in these cases.
Here's An Example
Here is one example of the use of "most importantly". Remember these words always precede the statement, which is "most importantly". Does this not nail it immediately? How can a statement be "most importantly"? It has got to be most IMPORTANT—we use the adjective to describe, NOT the adverb. Oh! Sorry, I'm jumping ahead of myself. Here is the sentence:
Most importantly, no one has found an acceptable remedy.
To get this right, we need to remember the function of words in a sentence.
The Adverb --modifies the verb mainly to show how, when, where, why an action was performed.
An Explanation
Importantly is one of those "ly" adverbs like quickly, sweetly, happily that tell how something is done.
Example: She spoke quickly.
There are many others you can think of, I'm sure. But the speaker in this case is not trying to explain how, or the manner in which "no one has found an acceptable remedy". He is stating a fact, one which to him, is important. Therefore he should use a describer, an adjective,
not the adverb, importantly. Importantly does not answer how, when or where, and so it is irrelevant here.
The Adjective, however, describes a noun, a situation, even an issue.
A Conclusion
Since we obviously need the adjective's descriptive powers rather that the adverb in all these cases, let us get this right now and for all time.
Suddenly, there seems to be an upsurge in the number of people who are willing to sound more pompous in their delivery. And how are they achieving their aim? By preceding several sentences with an initial and over-worked "most importantly". Then, having done this, they continue along a road of no return, a treacherously downhill and rocky path, as they attempt to communicate what falls into the realm of "most importantly".
The Domino Effect
It's really interesting how one or two people would start a speech trend like this and then an entire speech community follows blindly, perpetuating the madness. Actually, this trend had stopped, but it is being revived for some unknown reason. And never forget the power of the domino effect in these cases.
Here's An Example
Here is one example of the use of "most importantly". Remember these words always precede the statement, which is "most importantly". Does this not nail it immediately? How can a statement be "most importantly"? It has got to be most IMPORTANT—we use the adjective to describe, NOT the adverb. Oh! Sorry, I'm jumping ahead of myself. Here is the sentence:
Most importantly, no one has found an acceptable remedy.
To get this right, we need to remember the function of words in a sentence.
The Adverb --modifies the verb mainly to show how, when, where, why an action was performed.
- Ayden bought a toy for Rylie today. (adverb of time)
- Vanessa performed at the The Gondo Theatre. ( adverb of place) It could be a phrase or a word.
An Explanation
Importantly is one of those "ly" adverbs like quickly, sweetly, happily that tell how something is done.
Example: She spoke quickly.
There are many others you can think of, I'm sure. But the speaker in this case is not trying to explain how, or the manner in which "no one has found an acceptable remedy". He is stating a fact, one which to him, is important. Therefore he should use a describer, an adjective,
not the adverb, importantly. Importantly does not answer how, when or where, and so it is irrelevant here.
The Adjective, however, describes a noun, a situation, even an issue.
- Jerry sent us a beautiful card.
- The fact that no one has found an acceptable remedy is a most important issue.
- Most important, no one has found an acceptable remedy.
A Conclusion
Since we obviously need the adjective's descriptive powers rather that the adverb in all these cases, let us get this right now and for all time.
- Incorrect: Most importantly, no one has found an acceptable remedy.
- Correct: Most important, no one has found an acceptable remedy.
Posted by Janet Carmichael at 7/21/2011 10:01 PM 
Categories: Speech
Tags: most important or most importantly Adverbs and adjectives
Categories: Speech
Tags: most important or most importantly Adverbs and adjectives
Well stated. A concept I didn't fully understand, but now do, as it was explained so well and so clearly. Thank you! Keep the wisdom flowing...
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