Lower priority

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Lower priority" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing tasks, projects, or items that are not as important or urgent as others. Example: "In our project timeline, the feature updates will be given lower priority compared to the critical bug fixes."

✓ Grammatically correct

Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Lower priority interventions were certain interventions to control blood pressure, tobacco and alcohol abuse.

Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation

Killing bad guys was relegated to a lower priority.

The New Yorker

That office's needs were simply a lower priority, officials said.

The New York Times

When AIDS seems to threaten, consistency is a lower priority.

The New York Times

Simply put: academic investments are a lower priority.

The New York Times

It means a determination to cut waste, cut cost – and cut lower priority budgets".

The Guardian

"Even those who want the system put it at a lower priority".

The New York Times

Arresting Anderson was a lower priority than protecting her identity as her source, Cocking said.

The Guardian

In the last few decades it has become a much lower priority in government policy.

The Guardian

"And sadly, expenditures on safety and security had been a lower priority.

The New York Times

Next in line among creditors are bondholders, with stockholders having lower priority and assuming more risk.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Lower priority" to strategically de-emphasize certain tasks or objectives, especially when resources are limited. This helps focus efforts on what truly matters.

Common error

Avoid using "Lower priority" when you actually mean "less urgent". A task can be important but not immediately urgent, or vice versa. Clarify whether you're de-emphasizing importance or time sensitivity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Lower priority" functions as a descriptor, indicating that something is of reduced importance compared to other items or tasks. Ludwig highlights numerous examples across different contexts where this phrase is used to denote relative significance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation

2%

Science & Research

2%

Unknown/unmatched sources

13%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "Lower priority" is a versatile and commonly used descriptor that indicates reduced importance or urgency. As Ludwig confirms, it’s grammatically sound and appears frequently across news, scientific, and formal business contexts. While straightforward, effective usage involves clearly defining the context and understanding its subtle differences from related terms like "less urgent". This ensures clear communication and effective prioritization. Knowing alternative phrases, such as "reduced priority" or "secondary consideration", can enhance your writing style while maintaining clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Reduced priority

Emphasizes the act of diminishing the importance of something.

Lower precedence

Similar to "Lower priority" but emphasizes the order of importance.

Lesser importance

Focuses on the diminished significance of the item.

Secondary consideration

Highlights that something is considered after other more important matters.

Not a priority

Directly states the lack of importance or urgency.

Subordinate status

Indicates a position of less power or importance compared to others.

Less urgent

Focuses on the reduced time sensitivity of a task or item.

Deferred action

Implies that the action is postponed to a later time due to its lower importance.

Of minor concern

Highlights that something is not a major worry or issue.

Subsequent attention

Suggests that something will be addressed later, after more pressing matters.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "Lower priority" in a sentence?

To use "Lower priority" effectively, ensure the context clearly indicates what tasks or items are considered more important. For example: "While the design updates are appreciated, they are a "lower priority" than fixing the security vulnerabilities."

What are some alternatives to "Lower priority"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "reduced priority", "less important", or "secondary consideration" to convey a similar meaning.

When is it appropriate to use "Lower priority"?

It's appropriate to use "Lower priority" when you need to differentiate the importance of tasks, projects, or items, and indicate that some are less critical or urgent than others. This helps in resource allocation and focus.

Is "Lower priority" the same as "Not important"?

No, "Lower priority" does not mean "not important". It means that other things are more important or urgent. Something with a "lower priority" still requires attention, but after higher-priority items are addressed.