by importance

USAGE SUMMARY

"by importance" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe the order or ranking of items or ideas based on their level of significance or value. It can also be used to indicate the level of priority placed on different elements in a sentence. Example: "The tasks on my to-do list are listed by importance, with the most urgent ones at the top." In this sentence, "by importance" is used to show that the tasks are organized in order of their level of urgency, with the most important ones being given top priority.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

All contacts are ranked by importance, not alphabetically, so the most important people are at the top.

TechCrunch

"By technological complexity, by importance, by uniqueness.

The New York Times

Next, reorder the list by importance.

The Guardian

The contrast reflects a culture that is uncertain whether politics is marked by importance or impotence.

The Guardian - Opinion

But then, Mr. Bock and his team began ranking those eight directives by importance.

The New York Times

Often that may mean extending the objective to include multiple outcomes, weighted by importance.

Harvard Business Review

The list of tasks one has in mind will be ordered by importance.

The Guardian

Our editors can group them together flexibly and within minutes by topic, by story type, by tone or by importance.

The Guardian

He doesn't think outside services that promise to reprioritize or sort e-mail by importance can really solve them.

MIT Technology Review

Ziegler says mothers can avoid the holiday haze by creating a to-do list and ranking tasks by importance.

The Washington Post

The first factor can be reduced by importance sampling, the second by stratification.

Computers & Graphics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When structuring information, use "by importance" to guide readers towards the most crucial aspects first, enhancing comprehension and retention.

Common error

Avoid using "by importance" when the criteria for importance are unclear or based solely on personal preference without clear justification. Clearly define the metrics for evaluating importance to maintain objectivity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by importance" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate how something is arranged, considered, or prioritized. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. For example, "The files were sorted by importance".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by importance" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that signifies arrangement or prioritization based on significance. Ludwig AI validates its correctness, and the numerous examples showcase its versatility across various domains, including news, science, and business. When using "by importance", ensure clarity regarding the criteria for assessment to maintain objectivity and enhance understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in order of significance

Replaces "importance" with "significance", focusing on the level of importance.

ranked by priority

Uses "priority" instead of "importance", highlighting the order of preference.

sorted by relevance

Substitutes "importance" with "relevance", emphasizing the pertinence of the items.

organized by value

Replaces "importance" with "value", stressing the worth of each item.

categorized by significance

Similar to "in order of significance", it focuses on the level of importance for categorization.

prioritized according to importance

A more verbose version, adding "prioritized according to" for emphasis.

arranged by weight

Uses "weight" as a metaphor for importance, indicating influence or impact.

classified by merit

Focuses on the inherent quality or worthiness of the items.

ordered by consequence

Emphasizes the results or effects of each item, ranking them accordingly.

graded on importance

Uses "graded" to indicate a ranking system based on importance.

FAQs

How do I use "by importance" in a sentence?

Use "by importance" to indicate that items or ideas are arranged or considered based on their level of significance or priority. For example, "The agenda items were listed "ranked by priority".".

What phrases are similar to "by importance"?

Similar phrases include "in order of significance", ""ranked by priority"", and "sorted by relevance", which all convey the idea of prioritizing or ordering based on value.

Is it always necessary to specify what 'importance' refers to when using "by importance"?

While not always necessary, specifying the criteria for "importance" enhances clarity. For instance, instead of "organized by importance", consider "organized by economic importance" to be more specific.

Can I use "by order of importance" instead of "by importance"?

Yes, "by order of importance" is a valid alternative that provides additional emphasis on the sequential arrangement based on significance. Both phrases are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning.