importantly

USAGE SUMMARY

"importantly" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is used to emphasize the significance of something, often in the context of giving advice or making a point. For example: "Importantly, don't forget to bring your passport on the trip."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Let me assure you that my government is committed to working closely with you and your government during your tenure and most importantly, in pursuit of our bilateral relations.

The Guardian

"Your comprehensive win... was demonstrably a true indication of the trust, confidence and support the Australian constituents have in your leadership qualities and, more importantly, the political, social and economic policies of the Liberal party," O'Neill said.

The Guardian

Importantly for Clark he now carries nothing like the weight of expectation he had at Melbourne, for whom – no matter what anyone says of his departure – he always tried valiantly.

The Guardian - Sport

Steve Brickell, the police coroner's officer, said: "On behalf of the coroner we are investigating this woman's death and I am keen to speak to witnesses to the incident and more importantly the cyclist involved.

The Guardian

"And perhaps most importantly, he has bragging rights in the Blair household – Cherie's Speaking for Myself sold 3,877 in its first week," he added.

The Guardian - Books

Most importantly, with Tywin dead and Varys gone does that leave Cersei, as Queen Regent, in charge?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Even more importantly, she abandoned Mutharika's autocratic tendencies.

The Guardian

Germany's dealing with its two difficult pasts – the East German state socialist dictatorship and, much more importantly, Nazism and the Holocaust – has almost universally been considered a success, even a model for others to emulate.

The Guardian - Opinion

Related: As Apple Watch launches, smartwatch app makers explore new interfaces Libin has owned his Apple Watch for three weeks at the time he meets the Guardian, and says he's finally figured out exactly what it's for, and just as importantly, what it's not for.

The Guardian - Tech

GRAN CANARIA If wrapping up warm for wintry romance isn't your thing, escape for a week in the Canary islands, where winter temperatures are usually around 20C. Gran Canaria, with its rolling sand dunes and lush palm plantations, has a stark beauty and, perhaps more importantly, a smattering of slick spa hotels.

The Guardian - Travel

He started taking care of his health, he found a new girlfriend and, most importantly, he went back to school to become a teacher.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When contrasting levels of significance, use "more importantly" or "most importantly" to clearly indicate the primary point.

Common error

Avoid starting every sentence with "importantly", as it can become repetitive and diminish the impact of the word. Instead, vary your sentence structure and use it strategically to highlight key information.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "importantly" primarily functions as a sentence adverb, modifying the entire clause or sentence rather than a specific word. It signals to the reader or listener that the information being presented is of particular significance. Ludwig's examples illustrate this function in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "importantly" is a versatile adverb used to highlight the significance of a statement. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its primary function is to modify entire clauses, emphasizing their importance. Commonly found in news and media, it conveys a neutral to formal tone. While grammatically correct and widely used, avoid overusing it to maintain its impact. Consider alternatives like "significantly" or "crucially" to vary your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more importantly

Specifies a higher degree of importance relative to something else.

significantly

Focuses on the degree of importance or impact.

crucially

Highlights the essential or decisive nature of something.

essentially

Emphasizes the fundamental or intrinsic aspect.

fundamentally

Points to the basic or foundational importance.

primarily

Indicates the main or principal aspect.

principally

Similar to 'primarily', emphasizing the chief aspect.

notably

Draws attention to a noteworthy or remarkable detail.

markedly

Highlights a noticeable or distinct difference or importance.

of great importance

Expresses high significance using a phrase rather than a single word.

FAQs

How can I use "importantly" in a sentence?

"Importantly" is typically used at the beginning of a sentence or clause to emphasize the significance of the information that follows. For example, "Importantly, remember to back up your data regularly."

What can I say instead of "importantly"?

You can use alternatives like "significantly", "crucially", or "essentially" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to start a sentence with "importantly"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and a common practice to begin a sentence with "importantly" to highlight the significance of the statement.

What's the difference between "importantly" and "more importantly"?

"Importantly" emphasizes the general significance of a point, while "more importantly" indicates that the following point is of greater significance than a previously mentioned one.