are not important

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are not important" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something lacks significance or relevance in a particular context. Example: "While some details may seem intriguing, they are not important to the overall argument of the paper."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Your books are not "important" — and bugger importance.

The Guardian - Books

"You are not important.

The New York Times

Speeches are not important.

The New York Times

We are not important.

The Guardian

"Their times are not important.

The New York Times - Sports

"Individual feelings are not important".

The Guardian - Sport

The things are not important.

The New Yorker

But his private views are not important.

The Economist

But for many, motives are not important.

The New York Times

But star names are not important here.

The New York Times - Arts

Not because they are not important.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are not important" when you want to downplay the relevance or significance of certain details in your writing. It helps to streamline your message by focusing on what truly matters.

Common error

Avoid stacking negative phrases such as "are not unimportant" when you mean "are important". Direct, positive phrasing makes your communication clearer and more impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are not important" functions as a predicate adjective, modifying a noun or pronoun by stating that it lacks significance or relevance. As Ludwig points out, it's a grammatically sound phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

6%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are not important" is a versatile and grammatically correct way to express a lack of significance or relevance. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used in English. It appears frequently in various contexts, including news, scientific, and business writing. When using this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects your intention to de-emphasize certain details while highlighting more crucial aspects. Consider using alternative phrases like "are insignificant" or "do not matter" to add variety to your writing. Be mindful of overusing negative phrasing to maintain clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are insignificant

Focuses on the lack of significance.

do not matter

Emphasizes the irrelevance of something.

hold no importance

Highlights the absence of importance.

lack significance

Stresses the deficiency in importance.

are of no consequence

Indicates that something has no effect or importance.

are immaterial

Suggests that something is not pertinent or relevant.

are irrelevant

States that something is not connected or applicable.

carry no weight

Implies that something has no influence or importance.

are beside the point

Indicates that something is not relevant to the matter at hand.

are not a priority

Shifts the focus to the lack of prioritization.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "are not important"?

You can use alternatives like "are insignificant", "do not matter", or "are irrelevant" depending on the context.

How do I use "are not important" in a sentence?

You can use "are not important" to indicate that something lacks significance. For example: "While some details may seem intriguing, they "are not important" to the overall argument."

When is it appropriate to use "are not a priority" instead of "are not important"?

Use "are not a priority" when you want to emphasize that something is being deliberately set aside in favor of more urgent matters, rather than simply lacking importance.

Is it ever correct to say "are unimportant" instead of "are not important"?

Yes, "are unimportant" is a valid and concise alternative. It's a more direct way of expressing the same idea that something lacks significance.