is less important than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is less important than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the significance or value of two different subjects or ideas, indicating that one holds a lower importance than the other. Example: "While the details of the project are crucial, the timeline is less important than the quality of the work produced."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Abstraction is less important than physicality.

The New York Times - Arts

Lifestyle is less important than social stratification.

Landscape and Urban Planning

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

The New York Times - Arts

The food is less important than the company, though.

The New York Times - Food

But style is less important than finding a good teacher.

The New York Times - Health

But the food is less important than the cooking.

The New York Times

Where they're going is less important than how they're going.

The New York Times

But the process is less important than outcomes.

The New Yorker

The length of renewal is less important than the quality.

Harvard Business Review

Some groups think diversity is less important than others.

The Washington Post

Dedicated space, we think, is less important than dedicated time.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is less important than" to clearly establish a hierarchy between two elements, ensuring your audience understands which aspect should be prioritized. For instance, in project management, you might state, "Meeting the initial deadline is less important than ensuring the quality of the final product."

Common error

Avoid using "is less important than" to dismiss an element entirely. The phrase implies relative importance, not complete irrelevance. Saying "customer feedback is less important than profit" can be misleading; instead, clarify the specific context in which feedback might be secondary, such as in short-term financial decisions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is less important than" serves as a comparative construction, indicating that one element or factor holds a lower degree of significance or priority compared to another. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Academia

13%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is less important than" is a grammatically correct and widely used comparative expression that establishes a hierarchy between two items, signifying that one holds less value or priority. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's prevalent in various contexts, particularly in news, academic writing, and business communications. When using the phrase, remember to focus on relative importance and avoid dismissing elements entirely. Alternatives include "is secondary to" or "is not as crucial as". The phrase’s versatility and clarity make it a valuable tool for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

matters less than

A more concise way to express reduced importance.

is of lesser significance than

Formally states the reduced importance of something.

is not as crucial as

Directly states that something lacks the critical nature of something else.

is not as vital as

Emphasizes the lower level of necessity or essentiality.

takes a backseat to

Suggests that one thing is deliberately given less attention or priority.

is secondary to

Indicates that something is of lower priority or importance.

pales in comparison to

Highlights the insignificance of one thing when juxtaposed with something far more significant.

is overshadowed by

Indicates that something is less noticeable or impactful because of something else.

is subordinate to

Implies a hierarchical relationship where one thing is under the authority or control of another, thus less important on its own.

is second-tier compared to

Positions something as being of a lower class or rank in terms of importance.

FAQs

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

Use "is less important than" to compare two things, indicating one has lower priority or significance. For example, "Speed "is less important than" accuracy in medical diagnoses."

What are some alternatives to "is less important than"?

You can use phrases such as "is secondary to", "is not as crucial as", or "pales in comparison to" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct: "is less important than" or "is not important as"?

"Is less important than" is the grammatically correct and standard way to express that one thing has lower significance compared to another. "Is not important as" is not a standard construction.

What's the difference between "is less important than" and "is not as important as"?

While both phrases express a similar meaning, "is less important than" directly compares two elements, while "is not as important as" can sometimes imply a broader comparison. In most contexts, they are interchangeable, but "is less important than" is often more concise and direct.