grave importance

USAGE SUMMARY

'grave importance' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to emphasize the seriousness or urgency of a situation or matter. For example, "The government is stressing the grave importance of social distancing measures to contain the pandemic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Finally, international issues of grave importance are being grabbed by these separatist anti-democrats.

The Guardian - Opinion

By Dan Hopper November 8, 2017 Hello, all — Serious Conservative Writer Man here to discuss a matter of grave importance.

The New Yorker

Few challenge the grave importance of terrorism as an over-arching issue that will define the 2004 campaign.

The New York Times

Remember that humor is a powerful tool, even (perhaps especially) when you are confronting issues of grave importance.

The New York Times

No, he wasn't there this time, she replied, but she had something of grave importance to discuss with me.

The New York Times - Magazine

A writ of certiorari was granted by this Court as the decision was said to be of grave importance to the administration of the revenue laws.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

As soon as we abandon the idea that ill-health is the concern only of the sufferer and regard it as an evil certain to extend in ever-widening circles, the present condition of three million of our school children will be recognised as a matter of the gravest importance.

The Guardian

And now for a question of grave national importance: Why does "Saturday Night Live" think Eric Trump is the dumb one?

The Washington Post

It was a moment of grave historic importance when Frederick's hatred coloured his judgment and blocked all possibilities of a peaceful settlement.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But he said incarceration was necessary because Papadopoulos had lied on a matter of grave national importance and the public needed to understand that lying to the FBI is a serious matter.

The Washington Post

It did say in its brief that the 11th Circuit's decision striking down the central piece of a comprehensive regulatory scheme created "a matter of grave national importance".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "grave importance", ensure the context genuinely warrants a serious and weighty tone. Overuse can dilute its impact, so reserve it for situations where the consequences are genuinely significant.

Common error

Avoid using "grave importance" in contexts that are only mildly important or where a lighter tone is more appropriate. Using it for trivial matters diminishes its impact when you need it for truly serious issues.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grave importance" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "grave" modifies the noun "importance". It emphasizes the high degree of seriousness or significance attributed to something. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

18%

Science

16%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grave importance" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to emphasize the seriousness or critical nature of a subject. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It is frequently found in news, academic and scientific contexts, signaling its suitability for formal communication. Related phrases include "critical significance" and "paramount importance", offering alternative ways to express the weight of a matter. When using this phrase, consider whether the context genuinely warrants a serious tone to ensure its appropriate and impactful application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

critical significance

Replaces "importance" with "significance" and "grave" with "critical", emphasizing the crucial nature of the matter.

paramount importance

Substitutes "grave" with "paramount", highlighting the supreme or overriding importance.

vital importance

Replaces "grave" with "vital", stressing the essential and necessary nature of something.

utmost importance

Uses "utmost" instead of "grave", emphasizing the highest degree of importance.

extreme importance

Replaces "grave" with "extreme", indicating a very high level of significance.

serious consequence

Shifts the focus from "importance" to "consequence", highlighting the potential serious outcomes.

major significance

Employs "major" instead of "grave", indicating substantial significance.

substantial weight

Uses "weight" as a metaphor for importance, indicating the heaviness or seriousness of the matter.

high priority

Focuses on the prioritization aspect of importance, suggesting that something needs immediate attention.

pressing nature

Highlights the urgent and compelling quality of the matter.

FAQs

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

You can use "grave importance" to emphasize the seriousness of a situation, such as, "The doctor stressed the "grave importance" of following the prescribed medication regimen" or "The treaty's "critical significance" cannot be overstated.

What phrases are similar to "grave importance"?

Similar phrases include "paramount importance", "vital importance", "utmost importance", or "critical significance". Each conveys a high degree of significance.

Is "grave importance" too formal for casual writing?

While generally suitable for formal contexts, "grave importance" can feel overly dramatic in casual writing. Consider alternatives like "very important" or "essential" for less formal situations.

What's the difference between "grave importance" and "great importance"?

"Grave importance" implies a more serious and potentially dire situation, whereas "great importance" simply suggests that something is highly significant but not necessarily threatening. The choice depends on the specific context and the level of seriousness you wish to convey.