is less important

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'is less important' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to show that something is of lesser importance than something else, for example: "Having an organized workspace is important, but having an organized drawer is less important."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Sheep raising is less important.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Daddy is less important.

The New Yorker

Yet, paradoxically, it is less important.

The Economist

Honestly, this is less important.

The Guardian - Arts

Abstraction is less important than physicality.

The New York Times - Arts

Where they come from is less important.

The New York Times - Arts

It's not that soccer is less important.

The New York Times - Sports

(The length of the flight is less important).

The New York Times - Travel

Whether this will "risk China's ire" is less important.

The New York Times

"Meaning is less important than how cool it sounds".

The New York Times - Arts

I think the White House correspondent is less important today.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Using "is less important" effectively helps prioritize information, focusing the reader's attention on the most critical aspects of your argument.

Common error

A common mistake is stating something "is less important" without specifying what it is less important than. Always provide a clear point of reference to avoid confusing the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is less important" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, modifying a noun or concept to indicate a lower degree of significance. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it correctly communicates a reduced level of relevance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

19%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is less important" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression for indicating reduced significance. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples across various domains. The phrase is prevalent in news and media, science, and encyclopedic sources, maintaining a neutral register suitable for broad application. Remember to specify the point of comparison for clarity, and consider alternatives like "is of lesser significance" for more formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is of lesser significance

Replaces "important" with "significance", emphasizing the reduced value or consequence.

is not as crucial

Substitutes "important" with "crucial", highlighting that it's not essential or vital.

holds less weight

Uses a metaphorical expression to indicate reduced influence or relevance.

is of secondary concern

Indicates that it is important, but must be considered after primary matters have been resolved.

is not a priority

Directly states that it doesn't need immediate attention.

is subsidiary

Replaces the whole phrase with one word that means secondary.

is comparatively minor

Uses "minor" to express a low degree of relevance or size comparatively.

pales in comparison

Uses vivid language to explain that another matter outshines it.

takes a backseat

Suggests that another issue comes first.

is relegated in importance

Uses "relegated" to show that the importance has been shifted down.

FAQs

How can I use "is less important" in a sentence?

You can use "is less important" to indicate that one thing has a lower priority or significance than another. For example, "While both factors are relevant, cost is less important than safety in this decision."

What's a more formal way to say "is less important"?

More formal alternatives to "is less important" include phrases like "is of lesser significance" or "holds less weight". These options provide a more sophisticated tone for formal writing.

What words can I use instead of "important"?

Instead of "important", you could use words like "significant", "crucial", "essential", "vital", or "critical", depending on the specific context. Consider alternatives such as "is less crucial" or "is less vital".

Is it always necessary to specify what something is less important than?

While not always grammatically required, specifying what something "is less important" than greatly improves clarity. Omitting this comparison can leave the reader confused or needing to guess your intended meaning. Always ensure the context makes the comparison obvious if you choose to omit it.