less than important

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less than important" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is not very significant or has low priority compared to other matters. Example: "While the details of the event are less than important, we should still ensure everything runs smoothly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Through the baseball playoffs, Mike Tanier will provide Bats with updates on less than important developments from around the league.

The New York Times

The details of their petty lives naturally blur and seem less than important.

Huffington Post

And there she was, fighting for her life and yet she never made us once feel like our child's illness was anything less than important.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Through the baseball playoffs, Mike Tanier will provide the Bats blog with daily updates on less-than-important developments from around the league.

The New York Times

All through the baseball playoffs, Mike Tanier will provide Bats with daily updates on less-than-important developments from around the league.

The New York Times

All through the baseball playoffs, Mike Tanier will provide the Bats blog with daily updates on less-than-important developments from around the league.

The New York Times

You're dealing with nothing less than that all-important first break.

The Guardian

Once others are degraded -- in this case, the woman's weight and appearance were used against her -- individuals sometimes give themselves permission to treat another individual as less important than themselves and less important than a human being.

Huffington Post

Ignoring the individual humanity of another allows him to treat them as less: less deserving, less important, less than himself.

Huffington Post

It's no less important than space.

The New York Times

Abstraction is less important than physicality.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less than important", ensure the context clearly establishes what is important for contrast. This provides a clearer understanding of the relative significance.

Common error

Avoid using "less than important" when you mean something is entirely unimportant or irrelevant. The phrase implies a degree of importance, however small. For complete irrelevance, use terms like "irrelevant" or "inconsequential".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less than important" functions as a qualifier, indicating that a particular element, detail, or consideration is not as significant or crucial as others within a given context. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less than important" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that indicates something is not particularly significant or has low priority, as stated by Ludwig. While less common, its presence in news sources like The New York Times and The Guardian demonstrates its acceptability in professional writing. When using the phrase, consider what is important to provide clear context, and ensure it accurately reflects the intended degree of insignificance. Alternatives like "not very significant" or "of little consequence" may offer greater clarity or impact depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not very significant

This alternative directly replaces "less than important" with a simpler synonym.

of little consequence

This option emphasizes the lack of impact or effect.

relatively insignificant

This highlights the comparison to other, more significant matters.

minor importance

This uses a more direct noun phrase to convey the lack of importance.

not a priority

This focuses on the lower ranking of the item in terms of importance.

secondary consideration

This highlights that the item is only important after other things are addressed.

of marginal relevance

This suggests the item is barely connected or applicable.

inconsequential

This emphasizes the lack of importance in a more absolute way.

not essential

This focuses on the non-critical nature of the item.

tangential detail

This emphasizes the item being a side issue, not directly pertinent.

FAQs

What does "less than important" mean?

The phrase "less than important" means something is not very significant or has low priority compared to other matters.

How can I use "less than important" in a sentence?

You can use "less than important" to describe details, aspects, or considerations that are secondary to the main point. For example: "While the details of the event are "less than important", we should still ensure everything runs smoothly."

What can I say instead of "less than important"?

You can use alternatives like "not very significant", "of little consequence", or "relatively insignificant" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "not as important as" instead of "less than important"?

Yes, "not as important as" is a grammatically correct and often more direct way to express that something has lower priority or significance compared to something else.