became less important

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "became less important" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where something has diminished in significance or relevance over time. Example: "As technology advanced, traditional methods of communication became less important."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Individuals became less important.

The New York Times

The facts became less important.

The Guardian - Film

The user became less important than advertisers and Google itself.

The Guardian - Tech

The performers became less important, and so did I.

The New Yorker

Branding and logos also became less important, she added.

The Guardian - Business

"At first, everybody was just so shocked and horrified that other things became less important.

The New York Times

As videos became more important to the record companies, though, they became less important to MTV.

The New Yorker

As businesses' footprints extended around the world, these objectives became less important than assuring low taxes.

The New York Times

"After interest rates gradually declined it became less important," Mr. Molony said.

The New York Times

As the financial crisis continued, the reputation factor became less important.

The New York Times

Still, how Americans respond to movies became less important to studios in 2012.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "became less important" to clearly indicate a shift in priority or significance over time. Ensure the context provides a reason for the decline.

Common error

Avoid using "became less important" when a complete disappearance or obsolescence is intended. Alternatives like "became obsolete" or "ceased to matter" might be more appropriate in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "became less important" functions as a predicate within a sentence, indicating a change in the subject's level of significance. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. For example, "The facts became less important" shows its role in describing a shift in relevance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "became less important" is a versatile expression used to indicate a decline in significance, relevance, or priority over time. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across diverse fields like news, science, and academia. While numerous alternatives exist, such as "diminished in significance" or "lost its importance", choosing the most appropriate depends on the specific nuance you aim to convey. When using this phrase, ensure the context makes clear the reason for the decline and avoid overstating the degree of change. This guide provides a thorough understanding of its usage, common errors, and suitable alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

diminished in significance

Emphasizes a reduction in importance or consequence.

lost its importance

Focuses on the complete loss of relevance.

decreased in relevance

Highlights a reduction in the connection or pertinence to a matter.

faded in prominence

Suggests a gradual decline in visibility or recognition.

receded in priority

Indicates a lowering in the order of importance or urgency.

shrunk in stature

Implies a reduction in influence or reputation.

declined in value

Focuses on a reduction in worth or usefulness.

was de-emphasized

Highlights a deliberate reduction of focus or attention.

was downplayed

Suggests a subtle or understated reduction in importance.

took a backseat

Indicates a shift to a supporting or secondary role.

FAQs

How can I use "became less important" in a sentence?

Use "became less important" to describe a situation where something's significance has decreased over time. For example, "As technology advanced, traditional methods of communication "became less important"".

What can I say instead of "became less important"?

You can use alternatives like "diminished in significance", "lost its importance", or "decreased in relevance" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "became less important" or "is becoming less important"?

"Became less important" indicates a past change, while "is becoming less important" describes an ongoing trend. Choose the option that accurately reflects the timing of the shift in significance.

What's the difference between "became less important" and "was not important"?

"Became less important" suggests a decline from a previous state of significance, while "was not important" indicates a lack of importance from the beginning. The former implies a change, the latter a constant state.