how significant is it

USAGE SUMMARY

"How significant is it?" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is commonly used when asking about the importance or gravity of a particular situation or event. For example: "Given the current economic climate, how significant is the GDP growth we've seen this past year?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

It's a commendable idea – but how significant is it?

The Guardian

How significant is it that he didn't lose his focus?

The New York Times

How significant is it that the aircraft continued in the same direction when the descent began?

Independent

How? –How significant is it that John Kerry invited Mr. Sharpton to speak at the Democratic National Convention?

The New York Times

How significant is it?" She said it was possible that criminal offences had occurred in the alteration of the statements.

Independent

Macpherson admits you can lose something in the translation — the Pasadena City Council Webcast that the Indian reporters now watch once missed two African-American lawmakers walking out in protest — but says the question is, how significant is it?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

How significant was it that they both came from fin-de-siecle Vienna, both born into assimilated Jewish families, but with a great gulf of wealth and influence between them?

The Guardian - Books

How significant was it to defining who Amanda Lepore is today?

Huffington Post

How significant is her assertion that it's not important?

The New Yorker

How significant is this?

The New Yorker

How significant is this run?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "how significant is it", ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity. Specify what "it" refers to directly before or after the question for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "how significant is it" in casual conversation where simpler alternatives like "how much does it matter" or "is it a big deal" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how significant is it" functions as an interrogative expression, used to inquire about the level of importance, impact, or consequence of a particular subject or event. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "how significant is it" is a grammatically sound and commonly used interrogative expression, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to inquire about the degree of importance, impact, or relevance of a particular subject. While generally neutral in register, it is most frequently encountered in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, clarity is key; ensure that the "it" being referenced is explicitly defined. Remember, while Ludwig provides numerous examples of its usage, simpler alternatives may be more appropriate for casual conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how important is it

Direct synonym, emphasizing importance.

what is the importance of it

Focuses on the importance rather than the degree of significance.

how critical is it

Highlights the criticality of something.

what is the magnitude of it

Highlights the scale or extent of something.

what is its degree of importance

Formal phrasing emphasizing the level of importance.

how relevant is it

Shifts the focus to the pertinence or applicability.

how much does it matter

Expresses significance in terms of consequence or impact.

to what extent is it crucial

Emphasizes the essential nature or criticality.

what impact does it have

Focuses on the effect or influence.

what is the weight of it

Emphasizes the influence or importance of something.

FAQs

How can I use "how significant is it" in a sentence?

Use "how significant is it" to inquire about the importance or impact of something. For example, "The study showed a correlation, but "how significant is it" statistically?"

What's a more casual way to ask "how significant is it"?

In informal settings, you can use phrases like "how much does it matter?", "is it a big deal?", or "does it really matter?"

Is "how significant is that" interchangeable with "how significant is it"?

Yes, "how significant is that" is often interchangeable with "how significant is it", especially when "that" refers to a previously mentioned topic. The choice depends on the specific context.

What is the difference between "how significant is it" and "why is it significant"?

"How significant is it" asks about the degree of importance or impact, while "why is it significant" asks for the reasons behind its importance. They seek different types of information.