less of a priority

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less of a priority" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the relative importance of tasks or issues, indicating that something is not as important as other items. Example: "While the project is important, addressing the budget concerns is less of a priority at this moment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Business

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Jones, is less of a priority for the club.

The New York Times - Sports

Personally benefiting is far less of a priority than ensuring that the appropriate people are losing.

The Guardian - Opinion

Only when a crisis first arises does Stringer make coaching less of a priority.

The New York Times - Sports

Along the way, he said, playing chess became less of a priority for them.

The New York Times

Living close to the city center is less of a priority without a work commute.

The New York Times

The president's remarks suggested that the United States puts less of a priority on schooling.

The New York Times

But early childhood was much less of a priority, and according to Inter-American Development Bank (I.D.B).

The New York Times - Magazine

The Sun's is just a generic showbiz shot, as if the paper's political coverage is less of a priority nowadays.

The Guardian

So is Ryan suggesting that fund-raising should become less of a priority for the House Republicans?

The New Yorker

"It's less of a priority to say, 'O.K., now here's our menu for the Strategic National Stockpile,' " Fauci said.

The New York Times - Magazine

The period "bonnet" dramas for which the BBC is world-famous will become less of a priority.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less of a priority", ensure the context clearly establishes what is a higher priority to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "Customer service is less of a priority", specify "Customer service is less of a priority than product development this quarter".

Common error

While "less of a priority" is generally acceptable, overuse in highly formal writing can make your prose sound less authoritative. Opt for alternatives like "subordinate to" or "of lesser significance" in such instances to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less of a priority" functions as a predicate adjective phrase. It indicates that a particular task, issue, or concern holds diminished importance relative to others. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Sports

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Wiki

2%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less of a priority" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to express a relative decrease in importance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news, sports, and business. When using this phrase, clarity is crucial; ensure the higher priorities are clearly defined. While widely accepted, consider using more formal alternatives like "subordinate to" in highly professional settings. By understanding its nuances and contexts, you can effectively integrate "less of a priority" into your writing and communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lower priority

Directly indicates a reduced level of importance.

not a primary concern

Emphasizes the reduced level of worry or attention.

secondary importance

Highlights that something is of second-tier significance.

not as pressing

Indicates a reduced sense of urgency.

subordinate to

Shows a relationship of being under the importance of something else.

of lesser significance

Formally expresses reduced importance.

not a high-ranking item

Points out a lower position in a list of priorities.

minor consideration

Highlights something is just a small factor.

not at the top of the list

Indicates a lower position in ranked priorities.

a reduced focus

Emphasis shifts from the original focus.

FAQs

How can I use "less of a priority" in a sentence?

Use "less of a priority" to indicate that something is not as important as something else. For example, "While completing the report is important, addressing the immediate customer complaints is "more of a priority" right now".

What are some alternatives to "less of a priority"?

You can use alternatives like "lower priority", "secondary importance", or "not a primary concern" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "less of a priority" or "lower priority"?

Both are correct, but "lower priority" is more concise and may be preferred in formal writing. "Less of a priority" is generally acceptable and widely understood.

What's the difference between "less of a priority" and "not a priority"?

"Less of a priority" means something is still important but not as important as other things. "Not a priority" means something is currently unimportant and can be ignored or postponed indefinitely.