less important

USAGE SUMMARY

"less important" is a correct and usable phrase written English.
This phrase could be used to contrast the importance of two different things or to indicate that one item is less important than another. For example, "In the grand scheme of life, what I do in my job is less important than the relationships I build with others."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Individuals became less important.

The New York Times

Is music less important?

The New Yorker

I feel less important".

The New York Times - Magazine

Sheep raising is less important.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Daddy is less important.

The New Yorker

Majority control is now less important.

The Economist

No less important is Saudi Arabia.

The New York Times

It is no less important for that.

The Economist

Yet, paradoxically, it is less important.

The Economist

She is outsourcing services deemed less important.

The New York Times - Tech

We could make agents less important.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing the importance of two elements, use "less important than" to clearly establish the relationship and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While acceptable in most contexts, in formal writing, consider stronger alternatives like "secondary" or "subordinate" to convey a more precise and sophisticated meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less important" functions primarily as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun, indicating that the noun's significance or priority is lower relative to something else. As Ludwig AI shows, this phrase often appears in contexts where comparisons are being drawn.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less important" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something holds a lower priority or significance compared to something else. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's frequently used in news and media, but also appears in scientific and formal business contexts. While generally neutral, the phrase can be replaced with alternatives like "secondary" or "of minor consequence" depending on the desired level of formality. Remember to use "less important than" for clear comparisons and avoid overusing the phrase in highly formal writing for a more sophisticated tone. The phrase is mostly used in News & Media, Science, Formal & Business.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less significant

Emphasizes a reduced level of meaning or impact.

not as crucial

Directly contrasts the degree of importance with something else.

of secondary importance

Directly indicates that something is subordinate to other factors.

relatively insignificant

Highlights the small impact or value.

lower priority

Indicates a ranking where other things are more important.

of minor consequence

Emphasizes that something has little impact or effect.

not paramount

Indicates that something is not the most important factor.

not a priority

Highlights that something is not urgent or essential.

subsidiary

Implies a supporting or auxiliary role.

tangential

Suggests a connection that is indirect or not essential.

FAQs

How do I use "less important" in a sentence?

Use "less important" to indicate that something has a lower priority or significance compared to something else. For example, "While deadlines are crucial, employee well-being is no "less important"".

What are some alternatives to saying "less important"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "secondary", "minor", "insignificant", or "of secondary importance" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to say "less important than"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Less important than" is used to compare the relative importance of two things. For example, "Efficiency is "less important" than accuracy in this particular task".

What's the difference between "less important" and "unimportant"?

"Less important" implies a relative comparison, indicating something is not as vital as something else. "Unimportant" suggests something has no significance or value at all.