Okay, which is it? ...and, most importantly, expand my participation... or ...and, most important, expand my participation...
Seems like 'important' is modifying the verb, 'expand,' so the 'ly' might be right, but I've seen it without the 'ly.'
Or are there understood elements such as "...and, the most important part...." in which case 'important' is an adjective. But that would have to be followed by "is that it expands my participation...." which doesn't match the sentence.
Or is "most important(ly)" simply an odd phrase? Would "more" be better than "most" if it is an odd phrase?
Anyone have a Chicago Style Manual answer for this sort of thing? (I gotta get myself one of those.)
Posted by Brinestone (Member # 747) on :
Most important is correct in that sentence.
Posted by Survivor (Member # 213) on :
Yeah, "most important" is modifying the entire clause, not just the verb. You're not necessarily saying that you'll be expanding in a most important manner, you're saying that the fact of expanding your participation is the most important fact mentioned.
I would just avoid the phrase altogether, if it worries you. I'd also cut the comma after "and", grammar be damned. It's ugly and breaks up the flow of the line.
Posted by Robyn_Hood (Member # 2083) on :
I agree. The usage made me think of lists. I can't remember if it was my English Composition class or one of my Journalism classes, but we were instructed, when listing things, to use "first, second, third..." and NOT "firstly, secondly, thirdly...". I think "important" fits that model, too.
Posted by Kolona (Member # 1438) on :
Thanks, all. Posted by Elan (Member # 2442) on :
What's wrong with simplifying it to: "and expand my participation."
The words "more importantly" are often extraneous and just so much filler. Think about whether the inclusion of the phrase adds to the clarity of the entire statement.
Posted by Kolona (Member # 1438) on :
Actually, I want to stress the last thing, so I'd like to keep 'most important,' but your point is well taken, Elan.
Posted by hoptoad (Member # 2145) on :
most important
I don't know why except to say that something is either important or not. If it is 'as though it were important' then it appears to be important but its nature is as yet undetermined.
That's my problem with 'ly' words in general. It implies 'of, or in the manner of...' but not the actual thing. They are often indistinct.
'He says uneducatedly and grins coyly.'
That doesn't mean he IS uneducated OR coy but behaves in the manner that implies he is coy and lacks education.
yours sincerely
[This message has been edited by hoptoad (edited October 06, 2005).]
Posted by Kolona (Member # 1438) on :
Never thought of it quite that way, Hoptoad. You might have a point. Posted by franc li (Member # 3850) on :
I don't know if I can answer without seeing the entire sentence.
I want to take english literature because I like it, to meet girls, and most importantly, *expand my education.
See, I'm trying to figure out if this is a violently split infinitive or if you really have "expand my education" free in the sentence without any kind of modal.
Posted by Survivor (Member # 213) on :
Or "By the end of October I will meet girls, build model rockets, and most important, expand my education."
Posted by Kolona (Member # 1438) on :
Franc li, the construction of the sentence mirrored Survivor's example -- no infinitives in sight. "A promotion would reward my efforts, justify the time I spent working out of state, and most important, expand my participation in the company management team." I.e., "A promotion would reward, justify and expand," similar to Survivor's "I will meet, build and expand." There were no infinitives to violently abuse and no lack of parallel construction.
(That was a sharp observation, though, not being privy to the sentence. )
Posted by rickfisher (Member # 1214) on :
From the AHD, 4th ed.:
quote:Usage Note: Some critics have objected to the use of the phrase more importantly in place of more important when one introduces an assertion, as in More importantly, no one is ready to step into the vacuum left by the retiring senator. But both forms are widely used by reputable writers, and there is no obvious reason for preferring one or the other.
However, it's pretty clear that most people here prefer "more important" in your example. Of course, your example doesn't really match the usage note, as you are stating that the last element in your list is the most important item in the list, rather than introducing an assertion.
Anyway, I think I'll go along with the majority on this one.
[This message has been edited by rickfisher (edited October 09, 2005).]
Posted by Kolona (Member # 1438) on :
Aren't I asserting that the last item is the most important?
I thought I'd seen it both ways. At least I know I'm not having a senior moment. Thanks for the reference, Rick.
(Is AHD the American Heritage Dictionary, or am I way off base?)
Posted by Survivor (Member # 213) on :
Both usages are accepted, but one is regarded as being correct. I tend to think that both are fluff.
