it was important that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'it was important that' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to express the idea that something is necessary. For example: "It was important that everyone stayed behind for the emergency meeting so that we could all receive the important updates."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Holten said it was important that ENO worked out its problems and survived.

The Guardian

"It was important that I hung around.

Independent

It was important that they believe me.

The New York Times

It was important that he did so.

The Guardian - Sport

It was important that I knew that.

The New York Times - Magazine

It was important that these recordings were of spontaneous speech.

University of California, Berkeley

"And it was important that everything be centralized.

The New York Times - Arts

It was important that she stay involved when she could".

The New York Times - Sports

It was important that he not get too drunk.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

"It's important that she be defeated".

The New York Times

"It's important that we double down".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was important that", ensure the clause following 'that' is in the subjunctive mood if expressing a requirement or suggestion (e.g., "It was important that he be present"). However, the indicative mood is also correct and widely accepted (e.g., "It was important that he was present").

Common error

Avoid unnecessary or incorrect use of the subjunctive mood after "it was important that". While the subjunctive (e.g., "It was important that she be on time") is grammatically correct, the indicative mood (e.g., "It was important that she was on time") is equally acceptable and often sounds more natural in modern English.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was important that" functions as a sentence introducer to express the significance or necessity of a subsequent action or state. Ludwig provides numerous examples that confirm its usage in various contexts, emphasizing its role in highlighting the importance of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Academia

21%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was important that" is a highly versatile phrase used to underscore the significance or necessity of something. Grammatically correct and exceedingly common, as Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently in diverse contexts like news, academia, and scientific writing. While the phrase itself is neutral in tone, the specific implication of the statement depends heavily on the subsequent clause. When using "it was important that", consider whether the situation necessitates the subjunctive mood, although the indicative is generally acceptable in modern usage. Exploring alternatives such as "it was crucial that" or "it was essential that" can add nuance to your writing, ensuring your message resonates with precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was crucial that

Replaces "important" with "crucial", indicating a higher degree of necessity.

it was essential that

Substitutes "important" with "essential", stressing the fundamental nature of the requirement.

it was vital that

Uses "vital" instead of "important" to highlight the life-or-death importance of the matter.

it was necessary that

Replaces "important" with "necessary", focusing on the indispensability of the action.

it was imperative that

Substitutes "important" with "imperative", conveying a sense of urgency and command.

it was significant that

Shifts the focus to the significance or consequence rather than just the importance.

it was critical that

Emphasizes the criticality of the matter, suggesting potential negative outcomes if neglected.

it was paramount that

Replaces "important" with "paramount", indicating the highest level of importance or priority.

it was key that

Uses "key" to emphasize that something is a central factor in achieving a particular outcome.

it was advisable that

Replaces "important" with "advisable", suggesting a recommendation rather than a strict requirement.

FAQs

How can I use "it was important that" in a sentence?

Use "it was important that" to emphasize the necessity or significance of something. For example, "It was important that everyone understood the new safety regulations."

What are some alternatives to saying "it was important that"?

You can use alternatives such as "it was crucial that", "it was essential that", or "it was vital that" depending on the context and the level of emphasis you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to use the subjunctive mood after "it was important that"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to use the subjunctive mood (e.g., "It was important that he be there"). However, using the indicative mood (e.g., "It was important that he was there") is also widely accepted and considered correct in modern English.

What's the difference between saying "it was important that" and "it is important that"?

Saying "it was important that" indicates something was important in the past, while "it is important that" indicates something is currently important. The choice depends on the timeframe you're referring to.