is not a priority

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is not a priority" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is not considered important or urgent in a given context. Example: "While we appreciate your suggestions, improving the website's design is not a priority at this time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"It is not a priority for us.

The New York Times

But even he says this is not a priority.

The Economist

In America, by contrast, rail is not a priority.

The Economist

So fining negligent smokers is "not a priority," he said.

The New York Times

"Of course, sometimes fashion is not a priority.

The New York Times

A black, dead boxer is not a priority.

The Guardian - Sport

Clearly, this is not a priority for me".

The New Yorker

There is not a priority to set a tone".

The New York Times - Sports

Crossrail is not a priority, cross-Pennines is.

The Guardian - Opinion

But sexual harassment, he said, is not a priority.

The New York Times

"This regime clearly understand that for the United States, democracy is not a priority, freedom of speech is not a priority," Mr. Beshimov said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is not a priority", clearly state what is a priority to provide context and avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of just saying "Marketing is not a priority", say "While marketing is not a priority, product development is our main focus this quarter".

Common error

Avoid stringing together multiple sentences that use negative phrasing like "is not a priority". It can make your writing sound unnecessarily negative and unclear. Reframe some sentences positively to create a more balanced tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is not a priority" functions as a predicate adjective, indicating that a particular subject lacks importance or urgency in a given context. It is commonly used to manage expectations and allocate resources effectively. Ludwig AI identifies the phrase as grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is not a priority" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to indicate that something lacks importance or urgency. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across diverse contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal business settings. While it is suitable for neutral registers, clear communication requires stating what is a priority to avoid ambiguity. Remember to use alternative phrasing and avoid overuse to maintain clarity and a positive tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not paramount

Replaces "priority" with "paramount", suggesting something is not of utmost importance.

is not a key concern

Substitutes "priority" with "key concern", focusing on the lack of worry or attention given to something.

is not at the top of the list

Emphasizes that something is lower in order of importance compared to other items.

is secondary

Uses the adjective "secondary" to indicate that something is less important than something else.

is not essential

Replaces "priority" with "essential", meaning something is not absolutely necessary.

is less significant

Indicates reduced importance using the term "less significant".

is not a focus

Uses "focus" instead of "priority", implying that attention is directed elsewhere.

is of minor importance

States directly that something has little importance.

is not a pressing matter

Replaces "priority" with "pressing matter", highlighting the lack of urgency.

is not a chief consideration

Indicates that something is not a primary factor in decision-making.

FAQs

How can I rephrase the sentence "This task is not a priority"?

Consider using alternatives like "This task "is secondary"", "This task "can wait"", or "This task "is on hold"" depending on the context.

What does it mean when someone says something "is not a priority"?

It means that the item or task being discussed "is less important" than other things and will not receive immediate attention or resources.

In what situations is it appropriate to say something "is not a priority"?

It's appropriate when you need to manage expectations, allocate resources, or explain why something cannot be addressed immediately. Be sure to explain why something "is not essential" to avoid misunderstandings.

What's the difference between saying something "is not a priority" and saying it's "unimportant"?

Saying something "is not a priority" implies it has some value but is being deferred. Calling something "unimportant" suggests it lacks value entirely and may never be addressed. "Is not a priority" is a more diplomatic phrase than "unimportant".