less priority

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less priority" is correct and can be used in written English.
Example Sentence: When deciding how to allocate resources, I gave the new project less priority than the existing initiatives.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But if a choice has to be made, deficit reduction will have less priority.

The New York Times

Often the struggle in higher education is seen as having less priority than the devastating impact of austerity nationally.

The Guardian - Opinion

Rousseff appeared to give less priority to foreign policy and some of the achievements of Lula's administration stagnated under her.

The Guardian

They give much less priority to "better pay for staff", "better buildings" and "giving academics more time for research".

The Guardian

But as Western governments (including America's) give less priority to human rights, NGOs seem likely to play a bigger role.

The Economist

The project, facing pressure to demonstrate impacts in a short time frame, switched strategy and placed less priority on small businesses.

The Guardian

It's that people in the north feel their needs have consistently been given less priority than those of people in the south and London.

The Guardian - Opinion

Similarly, the Greek asylum system gives Afghans much less priority than Somalians and Yemenis – but the latter can't now get into Macedonia, while the former still can.

The Guardian - Opinion

And individuality was often given less priority than style; that is, some of the numbers were more identifiable as blues ballad or Broadway-style showstopper than as illustrative of a specific dramatic context.

The New York Times - Arts

Richard J. Codey has been criticized for proposing major investments in stem-cell research because some New Jerseyans give it less priority than other immediate pressing issues, like property tax relief.

The New York Times

Elected officials from the city have questioned whether their communities were given less priority than others -- particularly in Manhattan, where some neighborhoods were without electricity for 28 hours or more.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less priority", clearly state what it is being compared to. This provides context and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "less priority" when you actually mean "no priority". "Less priority" means it's still considered, just not as important as something else.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less priority" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It indicates a reduced level of importance or urgency compared to something else. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a grammatically correct and widely used phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

53%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less priority" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate reduced importance or urgency. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correct and applicable in diverse writing scenarios. Its usage is particularly prevalent in news, scientific, and business contexts, showing its versatility across various domains. When employing this phrase, clarity is paramount; always ensure the comparison is explicit to avoid ambiguity. Remember, using "less priority" implies consideration, albeit at a lower level, distinguishing it from "no priority".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Lower importance

Replaces "priority" with "importance", focusing on the degree of significance.

Reduced emphasis

Shifts the focus from order of importance to the level of attention given.

Secondary consideration

Indicates something is not the primary concern.

Subordinate status

Implies a hierarchical ranking where something is lower in the order.

De-prioritized

A more direct term meaning to lower the priority.

Less significant

Highlights the reduced level of importance.

Lower down the list

Informal way of saying something is not a high priority.

Not a primary concern

Emphasizes the lack of immediate worry or focus.

Given less weight

Focuses on the impact or influence something has.

Of lesser consequence

Highlights the reduced importance of the outcome or result.

FAQs

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

You can use "less priority" to indicate that something is not as important as something else. For example, "Deficit reduction will have "less priority" than health care."

What are some alternatives to "less priority"?

Alternatives include "lower importance", "reduced emphasis", or "secondary consideration". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "fewer priority" instead of "less priority"?

No, the correct phrase is "less priority". "Fewer" is used for countable nouns, while "less" is used for uncountable nouns like "priority" in this context.

What's the difference between "less priority" and "no priority"?

"Less priority" means something is still considered, but not as important. "No priority" means something is not considered at all. Using the right phrase is crucial for clarity.