a slight importance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slight importance" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used when referring to something that holds a minor level of significance or relevance in a particular context. Example: "While the topic has a slight importance in the overall discussion, it is not the main focus of our meeting."

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Although the quality of maternal recall on BW and GA might have a slight importance for clinical practice, it is a relevant issue to future epidemiological research, which may lead to clinically useful information.

BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Of slight importance in their own time, they are of great and increasing significance in our time".

The New Yorker

The thread on which these pearls were strung appeared to be the argument that the murder of Willie Earle was of very slight importance except for its remote political consequences.

The New Yorker

Intended for gladiatorial contests, in which the precise dimensions of the field were of slight importance, the amphitheatre was designed to afford maximum seating capacity and optimum visual facility for spectators.

Encyclopedia Britannica

No one outside Omar's own realm knows him, cares about him, or considers him to have been of the slightest importance whatsoever.

The Guardian

Jones's "drastic personal shift would affect almost every contemporary black writer of the slightest importance, as well as the entire [younger] generation", wrote Arnold Rampersad, the biographer of Langston Hughes.

The Guardian - Books

It reminded him of the importance of having a slight pause in the top of his delivery, which prevents him from opening his front shoulder and, thus, flattening his pitches.

The New York Times - Sports

The resulting analysis underscores the importance of accepting a slight increase in pre-disruption transportation costs, which in turn will enhance network resiliency by building dis-similar paths for train services, and by installing alternative links around critical service legs.

Transportation Research Part B: Methodological

However, PM10 collected in Milan in the winter showed only a slight IL-1 β response, underlining the importance of the PM10 sources.

BioMed Research International

Clearly, one must be wary of attributing too much importance to the sequence, since a slight variation occurs in the writings of even the most traditional theorists.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A slight?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a slight importance", ensure the context clearly indicates why the subject is only marginally important to avoid ambiguity. This phrase is best suited for formal writing where precision is valued.

Common error

Avoid using "a slight importance" when the subject actually has considerable impact or relevance. Overstating the lack of importance can undermine your argument or analysis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slight importance" functions as a qualifier of significance, indicating that something possesses a minimal or secondary level of relevance. The Ludwig AI analysis notes that the phrase is acceptable, though not particularly common.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

23%

Science

46%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a slight importance" indicates something of minor significance or relevance. Ludwig AI reports that it is acceptable though somewhat uncommon. It's most frequently found in scientific and news-related contexts, suggesting a formal or neutral register. When writing, ensure that you are accurately portraying the level of importance and that this phrase is appropriate for the formality of your writing. Alternatives like "minor importance" or "limited importance" may provide greater clarity. While grammatically sound, consider if a more direct or common phrase would better suit your intended audience and purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor importance

Omits the article 'a' and uses the direct adjective 'minor' instead of 'slight'.

small importance

Replaces 'slight' with 'small', maintaining the same connotation of limited significance.

minor significance

Directly replaces 'importance' with 'significance' and 'slight' with 'minor' for clarity.

limited importance

Uses 'limited' to convey the restricted nature of the importance.

marginal significance

Substitutes 'importance' with 'significance' and 'slight' with 'marginal', denoting a minimal level of relevance.

modest relevance

Replaces 'importance' with 'relevance' and 'slight' with 'modest', indicating a moderate connection or pertinence.

little consequence

Shifts the focus to 'consequence' to emphasize the minimal impact or result.

subtle importance

Uses 'subtle' to indicate the importance is not immediately obvious.

of secondary importance

Rephrases to indicate the importance is less than primary concerns.

of little account

Emphasizes the negligible consideration or value attributed.

FAQs

What does "a slight importance" mean?

The phrase "a slight importance" suggests that something has a small or minor level of significance or relevance in a particular context. It implies that while it is not entirely unimportant, it is not a major factor either.

What can I say instead of "a slight importance"?

You can use alternatives like "minor importance", "small importance", or "limited importance" depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "slight importance" or "minor importance"?

Both "slight importance" and "minor importance" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. However, "minor importance" might be preferred due to its slightly more common usage and clearer meaning.

How can I use "a slight importance" in a sentence?

You can use "a slight importance" to introduce a factor that is relevant but not crucial, such as: "While maternal recall on BW and GA has "a slight importance" for clinical practice, it is a relevant issue to future epidemiological research."