be substantially less important

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be substantially less important" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the significance or relevance of one thing to another, indicating that it holds a lower level of importance. Example: "In the grand scheme of things, the details of the project may be substantially less important than the overall vision."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The assumption was made that for preterm infants during childhood, the costs associated with medications would be substantially less important than those associated with hospitalizations and outpatient visits.

BMC Pediatrics

Their conclusions are slightly unexpected in the sense that rewards or incentives for providing annotations were found to be substantially less important than awareness of the opportunity to annotate and ease-of-use issues with respect to annotation interfaces.

Biology Direct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

10, 23, 26 The rest of the components were substantially less important in terms of mechanical energy, accounting for less than 7% each.

Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering

> -wrap-foot> A = annual, B = biennial, P = perennial, N = native, E = exotic, W = wetland, FACW = facultative wetland, FAC = facultative, FACU = facultative upland, UPL = upland Some of the dominant species in the second through fourth years of exposure were substantially less important or absent from both the first year of exposure zone and the upland zone.

Environmental Management

I've never felt guilty about bringing my child to day care; I know that my work is important to me and that I would be substantially less satisfied, and consequently a less giving member of the family, without it.

Science Magazine

Will there be substantially less money in the system?

The New York Times

(If the cap were higher, the cost to the taxpayer would be substantially less).

The Guardian

Losses, however, could be substantially less, and part of the amount may already be financed.

The New York Times

"It suggests that there may be substantially less money than anticipated for rebuilding the site.

The New York Times

Its forward revenue figure would be substantially less, of course.

TechCrunch

Interestingly, PDI appears to be substantially less affected or unaffected.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be substantially less important", ensure the comparison is clear. Specify what the subject is less important than to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "be substantially less important" when the subject is of negligible importance. Choose a stronger phrase if appropriate, such as "be irrelevant" or "be inconsequential".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be substantially less important" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to indicate that one thing has a significantly lower level of importance than another. Ludwig AI confirms the expression is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be substantially less important" is a grammatically sound and usable expression for indicating a significant difference in importance between two items. Ludwig AI validates that this expression is appropriate in written English. It's most often found in science and news contexts, though also appropriate for other uses. To ensure clarity, always specify what the subject is less important than. Avoid using the phrase when the subject is actually of negligible importance, as a stronger phrase might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be considerably less significant

Emphasizes the noticeable difference in significance.

be markedly less relevant

Highlights a distinct decrease in relevance.

be significantly less crucial

Focuses on the diminished critical nature of something.

be materially less consequential

Indicates a tangible decrease in impact or consequence.

be substantially lower in priority

Shifts the focus to a reduced level of prioritization.

be of distinctly lesser import

Uses a more formal tone to express reduced importance.

be notably less influential

Highlights a reduced degree of influence.

be appreciably less weighty

Emphasizes the reduced burden or importance.

be proportionally less vital

Indicates a decrease in vitality or essential nature.

pale in comparison

Indicates that something's importance or value diminishes when compared to something else.

FAQs

How can I use "be substantially less important" in a sentence?

You can use "be substantially less important" to compare the significance of two things, indicating that one has notably less importance than the other. For example, "The project's minor setbacks may "be substantially less important" than the overall goal."

What are some alternatives to saying "be substantially less important"?

Alternatives include "be considerably less significant", "be markedly less relevant", or "be significantly less crucial" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "be substantially less important" in formal writing?

Yes, "be substantially less important" is appropriate for formal writing. It is a clear and professional way to express a difference in importance. However, ensure the tone aligns with the overall formality of the document.

What is the difference between "be substantially less important" and "be somewhat less important"?

"Be substantially less important" indicates a significant difference in importance, whereas "be somewhat less important" suggests only a slight or moderate difference. The choice depends on the magnitude of the difference you wish to convey.