minor importance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "minor importance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not significant or of little consequence in a particular context. Example: "While the details of the report are interesting, they are of minor importance compared to the overall findings."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The answers were graded in four levels: not important, of minor importance, important, and very important.

BMC Veterinary Research

Household characteristics were of minor importance, and class affiliation proved more important than school affiliation.

Family Practice

Subsequent settlement was of minor importance.

Encyclopedia Britannica

All other considerations are of minor importance.

The New York Times

Manufacturing is of only minor importance.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But the details are of minor importance.

The Guardian

Stress relaxation is of minor importance.

Polymer Foams Handbook Engineering and Biomechanics Applications and Design Guide

"I would say it had some minor importance, yes".

The Guardian - Film

Her few compositions for piano are of minor importance.

Britannica

Before World War II, Bulgarian industries were of minor importance.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Air traffic at Linz airport is of minor importance.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "minor importance", ensure the context clearly establishes what is considered important to provide a balanced perspective. For example, "While funding is a factor, it is of minor importance compared to the team's expertise."

Common error

Avoid using "minor importance" when something is truly insignificant or irrelevant. Choose stronger terms like "irrelevant" or "negligible" to accurately reflect the level of insignificance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "minor importance" functions as a qualifier, typically used to describe a noun or concept. It indicates that the subject being described has a low level of significance or relevance. Ludwig's examples showcase the phrase's role in downplaying the importance of certain aspects relative to others.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

Encyclopedias

22%

News & Media

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "minor importance" is a widely recognized and grammatically correct way to describe something that is not particularly significant. According to Ludwig, the phrase appears most often in scientific, encyclopedic and news-related contexts, highlighting its utility in formal communication. While there are many alternative phrases that can be used, it is important to select the one that best reflects the specific context and desired nuance. Overall, this phrase is a valuable tool for expressing degrees of importance and guiding the reader's attention appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

secondary significance

Replaces "importance" with "significance" and "minor" with "secondary", indicating a lower level of relevance.

relatively unimportant

Uses the adjective "unimportant" modified by "relatively" to express a similar meaning of reduced significance.

of little consequence

Emphasizes the lack of significant impact or effect, rather than direct importance.

not a major factor

Focuses on the role something plays in influencing an outcome, highlighting its limited influence.

subsidiary importance

Subsidiary implies a supporting or secondary role, indicating a lower level of importance.

tangential relevance

Highlights that something is only indirectly related or pertinent to the main issue.

marginally significant

Uses "significant" instead of "important" and modifies it with "marginally" to express a slight degree of relevance.

of scant consideration

Focuses on the lack of attention or thought given to something, implying its unimportance.

peripherally relevant

Similar to tangential, but emphasizes that something lies on the outskirts of the main focus.

inessential nature

Highlights the non-essential characteristic of something, indicating it's not crucial or necessary.

FAQs

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

Use "minor importance" to indicate that something has a relatively small impact or significance compared to other factors. For example, "The color of the brochure is of "minor importance"; the content is what truly matters."

What is a good alternative to "minor importance"?

You can use alternatives like "secondary significance", "relatively unimportant", or "of little consequence" depending on the specific context.

Is it ever inappropriate to use the phrase "minor importance"?

Yes, avoid using "minor importance" if something is completely irrelevant. In such cases, terms like "irrelevant" or "negligible" might be more accurate.

How does "minor importance" differ from "major importance"?

"Minor importance" indicates something is not very significant, while "major importance" signifies that something is highly significant and influential. They are antonyms representing opposite ends of the importance spectrum.