“Most importantly” and “most important” are both correct, but they do different grammatical jobs. Most importantly is an adverbial phrase used to emphasize the most significant point, while most important is an adjective phrase used to describe a noun or identify something as having the greatest importance.
The right choice depends on the sentence structure and meaning.
For example, you can say, “Most importantly, we need to protect the children.” Here, most importantly introduces the main point.
But you would say, “The most important thing is to protect the children.” Here, most important describes the noun thing.
These expressions are closely related, which is why learners often mix them up. Once you understand the difference between adverbs and adjectives, choosing the correct form becomes much easier.
Quick Answer
Use most importantly when you mean “above all” or “the most important point is…”, especially when introducing a statement. Use most important when it describes a noun or follows a linking verb. For example: “Most importantly, be honest” but “Honesty is most important.”
Why Do People Confuse “Most Importantly” and “Most Important”?
The confusion comes from the words important and importantly, which are closely related.
- Important is an adjective.
- Importantly is an adverb.
- Most can modify either form.
So:
important → most important
and:
importantly → most importantly
The choice depends on what the phrase is doing in the sentence.
Compare:
The most important rule is to be honest.
Here, most important describes rule.
Most importantly, be honest.
Here, most importantly introduces the main point of the sentence.
Most Important: Meaning and Use
Most important is an adjective phrase. It describes something as having the greatest importance or priority.
It commonly appears before a noun or after a linking verb such as is, was, seems, or remains.
Most Important Before a Noun
This is the most important decision of my life.
Safety is the most important consideration.
What is the most important lesson?
Here, most important directly describes a noun.
Most Important After a Linking Verb
Your health is most important.
What matters most is that everyone is safe.
Her family remains most important to her.
In these sentences, most important functions as a subject complement.
“The Most Important”
You will often see the most important when comparing several things or identifying one thing as having the greatest importance.
This is the most important part of the lesson.
Communication is the most important skill for this job.
Most Importantly: Meaning and Use
Most importantly is an adverbial expression. It is commonly used to introduce or emphasize the most significant point in a sentence.
It often means:
- above all
- most of all
- most significantly
- the most important point is
Examples
Most importantly, don’t give up.
Most importantly, make sure everyone is safe.
Most importantly, we need to understand the facts.
The phrase often appears at the beginning of a sentence, followed by a comma.
Most Importantly Can Also Appear Later
Although sentence-initial position is very common, most importantly can occur elsewhere:
We need to protect the environment, most importantly for future generations.
She is talented and, most importantly, reliable.
The exact position depends on the sentence and the emphasis the writer wants to create.
Most Importantly vs. Most Important: Comparison Table
| Expression | Part of speech | Main function | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| most important | Adjective phrase | Describes a noun or follows a linking verb | This is the most important point. |
| most importantly | Adverbial phrase | Emphasizes or introduces the most significant point | Most importantly, listen carefully. |
| the most important | Adjective phrase | Identifies something as having the greatest importance | This is the most important rule. |
| most importantly | Adverb | Adds emphasis to a statement | Most importantly, stay calm. |
When Should You Use Most Important or Most Importantly?
Use “Most Important” Before a Noun
Use most important when it directly describes a noun.
The most important thing is your health.
This is the most important reason.
Education is one of the most important factors.
A useful pattern is:
most important + noun
Use “Most Importantly” to Introduce a Main Point
Use most importantly when you want to say that something is the most significant point.
Most importantly, remember to be kind.
Most importantly, check your work before submitting it.
A useful pattern is:
Most importantly, + complete idea
Use “Most Important” After “Is”
When the phrase describes something after a linking verb, most important is appropriate.
Your safety is most important.
What matters is most important to the team.
More commonly, you may see:
Your safety is the most important thing.
A Simple Test
Ask:
Does the phrase describe a noun?
→ Use most important.
Does it introduce or emphasize a whole statement?
→ Use most importantly.
12 Examples of Most Important vs. Most Importantly
1. Introducing the Main Point
Most importantly, be honest with your customers.
2. Describing a Noun
Honesty is the most important quality in a leader.
3. Giving Advice
Most importantly, get enough sleep.
4. Describing a Thing
Sleep is one of the most important parts of a healthy lifestyle.
5. Emphasizing Safety
Most importantly, make sure the door is locked.
6. Describing Safety
Safety is the most important consideration.
7. In an Essay
Most importantly, students should understand the material rather than simply memorize it.
8. With “Thing”
The most important thing is to remain calm.
9. With a Job
Most importantly, arrive on time for the interview.
10. Describing a Skill
Communication is one of the most important skills in the workplace.
11. With Multiple Points
The plan is affordable, practical, and, most importantly, safe.
12. Comparing Priorities
Most importantly, we need to solve the problem before it becomes worse.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Using “Most Important” to Introduce a Sentence
Incorrect or awkward:
Most important, remember to bring your passport.
In standard modern English, most importantly is the usual choice when introducing the sentence in this way.
Better:
Most importantly, remember to bring your passport.
Mistake 2: Using “Most Importantly” Before a Noun
Incorrect:
This is the most importantly reason.
Correct:
This is the most important reason.
Reason is a noun, so it needs the adjective important.
Mistake 3: Confusing “Most Important” With “The Most Important”
Both forms can be grammatical, but they can have different structures.
This is the most important issue.
What is most important is that everyone understands.
When identifying a specific item as the greatest in importance, the most important is common.
Mistake 4: Overusing “Most Importantly”
Some writers use most importantly before almost every important point.
Most importantly, first…
Most importantly, second…
Most importantly, third…
This weakens the emphasis. Reserve most importantly for the point you genuinely want to present as the main priority.
Mistake 5: Assuming “Most Importantly” Is Always Wrong
Some people believe most important must always be used because importantly sounds unnatural.
That is too broad. Most importantly is a well-established adverbial expression and is standard in modern English.
Memory Trick
Remember:
Important → describes a thing
Importantly → describes how something is said or presented
So:
The most important rule = describes rule
but:
Most importantly, follow the rules = introduces the main point.
A quick memory trick is:
Noun → most important
Whole statement → most importantly
American vs. British English
The distinction between most important and most importantly is essentially the same in American and British English.
Both varieties commonly use:
The most important point is…
and:
Most importantly, …
There can be differences in individual writing styles and preferences. Some writers prefer most important in certain sentence structures, while others frequently use most importantly as a sentence adverb.
For learners, there is no major American-versus-British rule that requires one expression over the other. The important issue is understanding the grammatical role of each phrase.
Similar Words and Expressions
Above All
Above all means that something has greater importance than other considerations.
Above all, be honest.
It is often interchangeable with most importantly.
Most of All
Most of all emphasizes the thing that is valued or preferred above others.
I enjoyed the trip, but I liked the food most of all.
Primarily
Primarily means mainly or chiefly.
The course is primarily designed for beginners.
It does not always mean exactly the same thing as most importantly.
Especially
Especially means particularly or to a greater degree than others.
I enjoy fruit, especially oranges.
It is related to emphasis but does not necessarily indicate the single most important point.
Above Everything Else
This phrase can emphasize priority:
Above everything else, keep the children safe.
It is stronger and more explicit than some everyday uses of most importantly.
Final Verdict
“Most important” and “most importantly” are both correct, but they are used differently.
Use most important when it functions as an adjective phrase describing a noun or complement:
This is the most important point.
Use most importantly when you want to introduce or emphasize the main point of a statement:
Most importantly, listen carefully.
If you can place a noun immediately after the phrase, most important is often the right choice. If you are introducing a complete idea and mean “above all”, most importantly is usually appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “most importantly” grammatically correct?
Yes. Most importantly is a standard adverbial expression used to emphasize the most significant point in a statement.
Most importantly, remember to check your work.
Should I say “most important” or “most importantly”?
It depends on the sentence. Use most important to describe a noun or act as a complement. Use most importantly to introduce or emphasize a main point.
The most important rule is honesty.
Most importantly, be honest.
Is it correct to start a sentence with “most importantly”?
Yes. This is a common and natural use.
Most importantly, we need to remain calm.
The comma helps separate the introductory adverbial phrase from the main clause.
Is “most important” better than “most importantly”?
Neither is universally better. They perform different grammatical functions. Most important is an adjective phrase, while most importantly is an adverbial expression.
Can I say “most important” at the beginning of a sentence?
Yes, but the sentence structure matters.
Most important is the need for careful planning.
This is grammatical but more formal or marked in style. In everyday writing, Most importantly, we need to plan carefully is often more natural when introducing a main point.
Is “most importantly” formal or informal?
Most importantly can be used in both formal and informal English. It is common in essays, articles, presentations, conversations, and professional communication.
What is another way to say “most importantly”?
Depending on the context, alternatives include:
- above all
- most of all
- above everything else
- the most important thing is
- chiefly
- above all else
The best alternative depends on the sentence.
Remember This
Most important → adjective → describes a noun.
The most important decision has been made.
Most importantly → adverbial expression → emphasizes a main point.
Most importantly, don’t panic.
The easiest rule is:
Thing → most important
Point → most importantly
If you mean “the most important thing is…”, most importantly is often a natural way to introduce the main point.
Conclusion
The difference between most important and most importantly is mainly grammatical. Most important is an adjective phrase used to describe a person, thing, idea, reason, quality, or other noun. For example, “This is the most important decision” uses the adjective phrase to describe decision. Most importantly, on the other hand, is an adverbial expression used to emphasize or introduce the main point of a sentence.
