lower priority

USAGE SUMMARY

"lower priority" is a valid phrase in English and is often used when describing the importance of something relative to other things.
For example: "Organizing the office was a lower priority than completing the report."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Killing bad guys was relegated to a lower priority.

The New Yorker

That office's needs were simply a lower priority, officials said.

The New York Times

When AIDS seems to threaten, consistency is a lower priority.

The New York Times

Simply put: academic investments are a lower priority.

The New York Times

It means a determination to cut waste, cut cost – and cut lower priority budgets".

The Guardian

"Even those who want the system put it at a lower priority".

The New York Times

Arresting Anderson was a lower priority than protecting her identity as her source, Cocking said.

The Guardian

In the last few decades it has become a much lower priority in government policy.

The Guardian

"And sadly, expenditures on safety and security had been a lower priority.

The New York Times

Next in line among creditors are bondholders, with stockholders having lower priority and assuming more risk.

The New York Times

Sutton made it clear that he would give a lower priority to protecting players' feelings.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lower priority" to strategically manage expectations, setting realistic timelines and resource allocation.

Common error

Avoid using "lower priority" when something is truly unimportant or irrelevant. "Lower priority" implies it still requires attention, just not immediately. Use phrases like "not a concern" or "irrelevant" if the item can be disregarded altogether.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lower priority" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. According to Ludwig, it is a valid phrase in English and describes the importance of something relative to other things. The examples show its use in various contexts to indicate reduced importance or urgency.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

39%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lower priority" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate that something is less important or urgent than other things. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s frequently used across various contexts, including news, science, and business. When using this phrase, it’s crucial to clarify what the higher priority items are to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "less critical" or "secondary consideration" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to avoid using "lower priority" when something is genuinely unimportant; instead, opt for terms like "not a concern".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduced importance

Emphasizes a decrease in the level of importance.

less critical

Focuses on the diminished level of criticality or urgency.

subordinate concern

Highlights that the item is of secondary importance.

secondary consideration

Indicates something is considered after the primary issues.

less pressing

Stresses the reduced urgency or demand for immediate action.

deferred attention

Suggests attention is postponed or given at a later time.

lower down the list

Implies placement on a ranking system, with less importance.

back burner

Idiomatic expression indicating something is temporarily set aside.

minor issue

Describes the topic as a problem of limited importance.

less vital

Highlights that the subject isn't essential for survival or success.

FAQs

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

You can use "lower priority" to indicate that something is less important than something else, for example: "Organizing the office is a "lower priority" than completing the report."

What's the difference between "low priority" and "lower priority"?

"Low priority" describes something that is generally not very important. "Lower priority" is used to compare the importance of two or more things, indicating one is less important than the others.

What can I say instead of "lower priority"?

Alternatives to "lower priority" include "less critical", "subordinate concern", or "secondary consideration", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "lower priority should be given"?

Yes, the phrase "lower priority should be given" is grammatically correct and indicates that less importance or urgency should be assigned to something.