how significant is that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "how significant is that" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when questioning the importance or impact of a particular point or piece of information. Example: "In light of recent events, how significant is that finding?" Alternative expressions include "how important is that" and "how relevant is that."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

How significant is that beyond south-west London?

The Guardian

How significant is that aspect of the story?

The New Yorker

By what degree did it increase among gay men, and how significant is that increase epidemiologically?

The New Yorker

But how significant is that omission measured against the actual influence of Locke, Newton and Hume on Enlightenment thought?

The New York Times - Books

How significant is that? A. I'm of that generation where that happened a lot.

The New York Times

How significant is that?

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

How significant was that poem to you when you were working on the story?

The New Yorker

How much did Robert's fame affect Less's sense of himself as a writer, and how significant was that age difference in forming the man we see in these pages?

The New Yorker

How good and how significant was that 75 for Whaley, who qualified for this event by beating 89 men and a woman last fall in the Connecticut Section P.G.A. Championship for club professionals?

The New York Times - Sports

The voice data recorder of the Germanwings jetliner that crashed in the French Alps How significant is it that the aircraft continued in the same direction when the descent began?

Independent

It is so far unclear how significant is the trail that appears to lead from the mountains of the North Caucasus - the scene of a simmering ongoing insurgency - to the boulevards and suburban houses of north America.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid overusing the phrase in close proximity within your writing. Varying your sentence structure and vocabulary will make your writing more engaging and avoid repetition.

Common error

A common mistake is using "how significant is that" without a clear antecedent for "that". This can confuse readers. Always ensure the context makes it obvious what you are referring to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how significant is that" functions as an interrogative expression, prompting an evaluation of the importance, impact, or consequence of a particular event, fact, or situation. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how significant is that" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase employed to question the degree of importance or impact of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is well-suited for news media, science, and other general contexts, though it is crucial to ensure that "that" has a clear reference. When rephrasing, consider alternatives like "how important is that", or "to what extent does that matter", depending on the desired nuance. Overall, the phrase is a useful tool for prompting evaluation and further discussion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how important is that

Replaces "significant" with "important", focusing on the degree of consequence.

what is the importance of that

Directly questions the level of importance of a particular thing.

how relevant is that

Substitutes "significant" with "relevant", highlighting the pertinence of something.

how consequential is that

Replaces "significant" with "consequential" which stresses the result or effect.

what is the magnitude of that

Uses "magnitude" to emphasize the size or extent of the impact.

how much does that matter

Focuses on the degree of consequence or relevance.

to what extent does that matter

Asks about the degree to which something is relevant or consequential.

what implications does that have

Shifts focus to the potential results or effects of something.

what impact does that have

Emphasizes the effect or influence of something.

what is the weight of that

Uses "weight" metaphorically to express importance or influence.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "how significant is that" to sound more formal?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases such as "To what extent is that significant?", "What is the magnitude of that?", or "What is the importance of that circumstance?" These alternatives offer a more elevated tone while maintaining the same core meaning.

Is "how significant is that" appropriate for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "how significant is that" might be considered too informal for some academic writing. More suitable options include "What is the significance of that?" or "To what degree is that consequential?"

What's the difference between "how significant is that" and "how important is that"?

While /s/how+important+is+that and "how significant is that" are often interchangeable, "significant" can imply a deeper or more far-reaching impact than "important". The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

How do I ensure the meaning of "how significant is that" is clear in my writing?

Always provide sufficient context so that the reader understands exactly what "that" refers to. Without clear context, the question loses its impact and may confuse the audience. You could also make use of other alternatives like "how relevant is that".