more important than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more important than" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to compare two or more things and emphasize that one thing is more essential or crucial than another. For example, "The health and safety of employees is more important than any cost-saving measure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He's more important than me".

The New York Times - Sports

It's more important than that.

The New York Times - Books

It's more important than money".

The New Yorker

"That's more important than rugby.

Independent

Is there anything more important than life?

The Economist

Exercise was more important than imagination.

The New Yorker

Nothing is more important than my characters.

The New York Times

Often possession is more important than fact.

The Economist

"Position is much more important than gender".

The New York Times

Is one life more important than another?

The New York Times

Windows can be more important than height.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing two concepts using "more important than", ensure both elements are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify what makes one aspect "more important than" the other.

Common error

Avoid using "more important than" without specifying the context or criteria for comparison. For example, instead of saying "experience is more important than education", clarify the context: "In this role, practical experience is often more important than formal education."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more important than" functions as a comparative, establishing a hierarchy of value or relevance between two entities. As Ludwig AI shows, this phrase is frequently used to emphasize the greater significance of one thing over another in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "more important than" is a common and grammatically sound way to express relative importance, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to prioritize and emphasize certain aspects over others in various situations. While versatile and suitable for neutral to formal communication, ensuring clarity by specifying the criteria for comparison remains crucial. Its widespread use across news, business, and general contexts underscores its significance in everyday language. Always define your terms when you use the phrase to avoid ambiguity and strengthen your argument. Remember that context matters and the more similar phrases listed above are not always intercheagable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more essential than

Replaces "important" with "essential", emphasizing necessity.

more crucial than

Substitutes "important" with "crucial", highlighting decisiveness.

more significant than

Replaces "important" with "significant", focusing on consequence.

more paramount than

Uses "paramount" instead of "important" to suggest ultimate importance.

outweighs

Uses a verb to indicate that one thing has greater value or impact than another.

takes precedence over

Indicates that something has a higher priority or comes before something else.

supersedes

Suggests that one thing replaces or overrides another in importance.

ranks higher than

Expresses a hierarchical order where one thing is considered above another.

is of greater consequence than

Replaces "important" with a longer phrase emphasizing the results or effects.

carries more weight than

Uses a metaphor to convey that something has a stronger influence or value.

FAQs

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

Use "more important than" to compare the significance of two or more things. For example, "The safety of our customers is "more important than" profit."

What are some alternatives to saying "more important than"?

Alternatives include phrases like "more essential than", "more crucial than", or "more significant than", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to specify why something is "more important than" something else?

While not always grammatically required, providing context or reasoning strengthens your argument and prevents misinterpretation. Clearly stating the basis of comparison enhances clarity.

What is the difference between "more important than" and "as important as"?

"More important than" indicates a higher degree of significance, while "as important as" suggests equal significance. For example, "Teamwork is "as important as" individual skill", means that they share the same importance level.