important compared to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "important compared to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the significance or relevance of one thing in relation to another. Example: "The results of this study are important compared to previous research in the field."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sex just didn't seem terribly important compared to that.

The New Yorker

"It's just not important compared to what's happening there right now," she told BBC 6 Music.

The Guardian - Music

One player is not so important compared to all the other players.

The Guardian - Sport

"I feel like I'm doing something valuable and important compared to if I was in Brighton, living a normal life, having a normal job.

The Guardian

For a volumetric source, its dimension along the groundwater flow direction became less important compared to its other two dimensions.

Journal of Contaminant Hydrology

Because of this, aside from the order in which issues are listed, the trend - if voters now view an issue as more or less important compared to how they did previously - is as significant.

The Guardian

Fifty-three percent (in all age groups) think abortion "is not that important, compared to other issues," up from 48 percent in 2009 and 32 percent in 2006.

The New York Times

Only 16% of people who say they are "not knowledgeable" think that saving to generate income from interests or dividends is important or very important, compared to 39% of "very knowledgeable" people.

University of California, Berkeley

Device lifetimes and times to wearout are less important compared to the experience of an early or infant failure in the warranty period.

Microelectronics Reliability

Therefore, the knowledge about the real contact state in these areas in micro forming is much more important compared to conventional "macro" length scale.

4M 2006 - Second International Conference on Multi-Material Micro Manufacture

The manufacturing of low-carbon technologies is important compared to their operation, indicating that it is important to choose the most desirable technologies from the outset.

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "important compared to", ensure you clearly identify both elements being compared to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "This is important compared to that", specify "This result is important compared to previous findings in the field".

Common error

Avoid using "important compared to" when a simpler comparison would suffice. Instead of "Having the latest model is not as important compared to a smartphone", consider "Having the latest model is less important than a smartphone" for greater conciseness and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "important compared to" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to assess the relative significance of one element in relation to another, as shown by Ludwig where many examples from news, scientific, and academic domains are available. The phrase often introduces a clause that clarifies the basis for comparison.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

35%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "important compared to" is a grammatically correct and frequently used comparative phrase that serves to highlight the relative significance of one element over another. As evidenced by Ludwig, its presence in news, scientific, and academic contexts underscores its versatility. The analysis reveals that while alternatives like "more significant than" or "outweighs in importance" exist, "important compared to" maintains its unique emphasis on the act of comparison. To enhance clarity, it's best practice to explicitly state both elements being compared. Recognizing its neutral yet slightly formal register helps ensure its appropriate usage in diverse communication scenarios. Considering Ludwig's assessment, this phrase is a valuable tool for nuanced expression when executed thoughtfully.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

outweighs in importance

Highlights that one thing surpasses another in terms of importance.

more significant than

Focuses on the elevated level of significance rather than a direct comparison.

is of higher priority than

Focuses on the ordering of importance or urgency.

of greater consequence than

Stresses the more considerable result or effect compared to something else.

holds more significance than

Highlights the higher level of meaning or relevance.

carries more weight than

Emphasizes the influence or impact something has in contrast to something else.

takes precedence over

Indicates that one thing is prioritized or comes before another.

is secondary to

Indicates that the other thing is more important.

is paramount compared to

This expresses the absolute highest level of importance

trumps

This expresses the absolute highest level of importance compared to something else, but with less formality.

FAQs

How can I use "important compared to" in a sentence?

Use "important compared to" to highlight the relative significance of one thing over another. For example, "In real-life conditions, control accuracy can be vitally "important" compared to the time spent."

What are some alternatives to "important compared to"?

You can use alternatives such as "more significant than", "carries more weight than", or "outweighs in importance" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "important compared to" or "more important than"?

Both "important compared to" and "more important than" are grammatically correct, but "more important than" is often considered more concise and standard. "Important compared to" is acceptable and emphasizes the act of comparison.

What’s the difference between "important compared to" and "significant in relation to"?

"Important compared to" directly contrasts the importance of two elements, while "significant in relation to"/<s/significant+in+relation+to> emphasizes the relevance or impact within a specific context. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight a direct comparison or contextual relevance.