minimizing the importance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "minimizing the importance" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of downplaying or reducing the significance of something in a conversation or text. Example: "By minimizing the importance of the issue, we risk overlooking its potential consequences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Does he come from a tradition of minimizing the importance of age because school is not important for ballplayers who hope to be signed at 16?" If George Steinbrenner signs Danny Almonte in two years, will that mean his dad did the right thing for his boy?

The New York Times - Sports

Other economists, minimizing the importance of the decrease, cited the cold weather and seasonal distortions.

The New York Times

For Kim, there can be no minimizing the importance of his debut on the PGA Tour.

The New York Times - Sports

So, I'm kind of minimizing the importance of the topic of my lecture, because stocks aren't that valuable.

Yale University

Her delivery was pointedly dry, minimizing the importance of her more powerful lines and, unfortunately, curdling her wit into something rather more jokey.

The New York Times - Arts

Like Francona, Cleveland's Eric Wedge also read from the managerial script that stresses minimizing the importance of the most recent game.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

Other officials sought to minimize the importance of his remarks.

The New York Times

We do not minimize the importance of that disclosure.

Cornell University

The world's best female skier, Kostelic has long minimized the importance of these championships.

The New York Times - Sports

In 1989, it was not murder, but a natural disaster that minimized the importance of sport.

The New York Times - Sports

Phillips minimized the importance of the meeting and said that the Mets did this often.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "minimizing the importance", ensure that the context clearly indicates why the importance is being reduced and what the potential consequences might be. It is often used when discussing strategic decisions or risk assessments.

Common error

Avoid "minimizing the importance" without providing a valid reason or context. Ensure the reduction in importance is logically supported and doesn't lead to misinterpretation or dismissal of crucial aspects.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "minimizing the importance" functions as a verbal phrase, specifically a gerund phrase. It often acts as a noun, describing the act of reducing the perceived significance of something. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

33%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "minimizing the importance" is a grammatically correct and commonly used way to describe the act of reducing the perceived significance of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, especially in news, science, and academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clarifies why the importance is being reduced, and consider alternatives like "downplaying the significance" or "reducing the emphasis on" to fine-tune your message. Avoid using it without a clear rationale to prevent misinterpretations or the trivialization of genuinely important issues.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

downplaying the significance

Focuses on reducing the apparent significance.

understating the importance

Emphasizes a subtle reduction in perceived importance.

reducing the emphasis on

Shifts focus away from something deemed important.

trivializing the relevance

Suggests making something important seem unimportant.

de-emphasizing the value

Highlights the reduction of value associated with something.

belittling the significance

Implies making something seem less significant or serious.

playing down the impact

Focuses on reducing the perceived effect or influence.

discounting the merit

Suggests disregarding the value or worth of something.

devaluing the contribution

Emphasizes the reduction in perceived contribution.

undermining the gravity

Implies weakening the seriousness or importance of something.

FAQs

How can I use "minimizing the importance" in a sentence?

You can use "minimizing the importance" to describe the act of downplaying something's significance. For example, "The company is "minimizing the importance" of the security breach to avoid alarming investors."

What are some alternatives to "minimizing the importance"?

Alternatives include "downplaying the significance", "understating the importance", or "reducing the emphasis on", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "minimizing the importance"?

No, it's important to ensure that you are not using the phrase to dismiss or trivialize something that is genuinely important. Use it judiciously and with clear justification.

What is the difference between "minimizing the importance" and "ignoring the importance"?

"Minimizing the importance" suggests acknowledging the importance but reducing its perceived significance, while "ignoring the importance" implies a complete disregard for its significance.