little importance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "little importance" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is not very important or significant. For example: - "The details of the color scheme were of little importance to the overall design." - "His apology, though heartfelt, seemed to hold little importance in her eyes." - "The decision seemed to have little importance at the time, but it ended up shaping the course of their relationship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is of little importance.

The Economist

But such complaints are of little importance.

The Economist

Stoneworts are of little importance to humans.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Even his contradictions seem of little importance".

The New York Times - Books

Chechens, Palestinians, Iraqis, Afghans, Pakistanis are of little importance.

The Guardian - Opinion

She attaches very little importance to that kind of thing.

The Guardian

Oxo aldehydes are of little importance themselves as final products.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Fishing is of little importance except near the coast.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Twenty years ago, it was of little importance.

The Economist

In Ofcom's words, a good range of enjoyable programmes, country of origin of little importance.

The Guardian

These days, the best squash player of the year was of little importance.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "little importance", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject lacks significance in relation to. For example, "The cost is of little importance compared to the benefits."

Common error

Avoid using "little importance" when the subject actually has significant negative consequences. "The error was of little importance" is misleading if the error caused substantial damage.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "little importance" functions as a qualifier, indicating a low degree of relevance or significance. Ludwig examples illustrate its use across diverse contexts, highlighting items or concepts with minimal impact or consequence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

39%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "little importance" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression signifying minimal significance or relevance. As supported by Ludwig, this phrase is commonly found in news articles, encyclopedias, and scientific publications, reflecting its broad applicability. While "little importance" is generally suitable, ensure that the context aligns with the intended meaning of minimal impact to avoid misrepresentation. Alternatives like "minor significance" or "limited impact" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. Remember to consider the overall context when selecting the most appropriate phrase. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and frequent usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited impact

Uses "impact" instead of "importance" and "limited" instead of "little", indicating a restriction in influence.

minor significance

Replaces "importance" with "significance" and "little" with "minor", indicating a slight change in emphasis.

slight relevance

Replaces "importance" with "relevance" and "little" with "slight", focusing on the connection to a specific matter.

minimal bearing

Replaces "importance" with "bearing" and "little" with "minimal", emphasizing a reduced effect on something.

negligible consequence

Substitutes "importance" with "consequence" and "little" with "negligible", suggesting an even smaller impact.

trivial consequence

Substitutes "importance" with "consequence" and "little" with "trivial", highlighting the insignificance of the outcome.

small value

Uses "value" instead of "importance" and "small" instead of "little", emphasizing a reduced worth.

secondary concern

Shifts from "importance" to "concern", framing the matter as less of a priority.

inconsequential matter

Replaces the entire phrase with a noun phrase indicating something that is not important.

of no great moment

Uses a more formal and emphatic way of saying something is not important, replacing "little" with "no great".

FAQs

How can I use "little importance" in a sentence?

Use "little importance" to describe something that is not very significant or impactful. For example: "The specific date is of "minor importance"; the overall concept is what matters."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "little importance"?

Alternatives include "limited impact", "minor significance", and "slight relevance", which all convey a similar meaning of something not being very important.

Is it always appropriate to use "little importance", or are there cases when it's unsuitable?

It's unsuitable when the subject actually has significant consequences or implications. In such cases, using phrases like "considerable importance" or "major significance" would be more accurate.

What's the difference between "little importance" and "no importance"?

"Little importance" suggests a minimal level of significance, while "no importance" indicates a complete lack of significance. Using "no importance" implies that something is entirely irrelevant or inconsequential.