neither more important

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "neither more important" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing two or more items to indicate that one is not of greater significance than the other. Example: "In this discussion, the budget is neither more important than the timeline nor the quality of the work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

What is on display is one small facet of what it takes to make a movie, one of the many gears involved in the mechanism, neither more important nor less … simply as important".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"Neither one is more important than the other," Mr. Patterson said.

The New York Times - Food

They also put forth the view that, when justice and care conflict, considerations of impartiality should trump considerations of partiality: my children's fundamental rights and basic needs are neither more nor less important than anyone else's children's.

SEP

There was no significant difference, according to hand preference, in mean left or right TMT, considered in isolation, suggesting that neither hemisphere was more important in determining the relationship of hand preference with TMTL at baseline.

Plosone

Relationships are all about equality, neither should be more important than the other, you deserve respect and support just as much as he does.

WikiHow

Neither Arafat nor Sharon has the political will to make the necessary compromises; more important, neither the government of Israel nor the Palestinian Authority has the political capacity.

The New Yorker

More important, neither did the Americans themselves.

The New York Times

More important, neither committed a turnover.

The New York Times - Sports

More important, neither do you consider alternative climate-change scenarios, which are crucial in this analysis.

The Economist

As to which parent is right, the answer may be neither and both, because more important than all the rest, Christopher seems to be as happy as a clam.

The New York Times

It was a holiday and, more important, neither of them particularly matter.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "neither more important", ensure the context clearly defines the two or more elements being compared to avoid ambiguity. For example, "In project management, meeting deadlines is "neither more important" than ensuring quality; both are crucial for success."

Common error

Avoid using "neither more important" when comparing items in a list where relative importance isn't the central point. For example, instead of saying, "For a healthy lifestyle, exercise is "neither more important" than diet, nor sleep," consider rephrasing as "For a healthy lifestyle, exercise, diet and sleep are all equally essential."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "neither more important" functions as a comparative conjunction, indicating that two or more items or concepts hold equal significance. According to Ludwig, it is used to emphasize that one element should not be considered superior to another. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its role in various contexts, such as filmmaking and relationships.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "neither more important" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression to convey the equivalent significance of multiple elements. As confirmed by Ludwig, its function is to establish balance and prevent prioritization. The phrase finds common usage across various contexts, notably in News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources, adopting a neutral to professional tone. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity in defining the elements being compared to avoid ambiguity. For alternatives, consider phrases such as "equally important" or "of equal importance" depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

equally important

This phrase directly states that both items have the same level of importance, offering a more concise alternative.

of equal importance

This phrase emphasizes the equivalent significance of the items being compared, using a slightly more formal tone.

not more significant

This alternative focuses on the lack of superior significance, highlighting the comparable value of each item.

no more vital

This phrase underscores that neither element is more critical or essential than the other.

not of greater consequence

This emphasizes that both things have the same level of consequence, with one not being more important.

of similar value

The change focuses on value instead of importance but with the same intention of equalizing the value of items.

not higher priority

Focuses specifically on the priority level assigned to each item, indicating they are equally prioritized.

of equivalent status

This alternative highlights that the items hold the same standing or rank, lacking hierarchical difference.

no preferential treatment

This explicitly states that neither item should be favored over the other, ensuring impartiality.

not paramount over

This option clearly indicates that neither element takes precedence or supersedes the other in importance.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "neither more important"?

Use "neither more important" when you want to emphasize that two or more elements have equal significance and that one should not be prioritized over the others. It's useful in contexts where balanced consideration is crucial.

What are some alternatives to saying "neither more important"?

Alternatives include "equally important", "of equal importance", or "not more significant". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.

How does "neither more important" differ from "less important"?

"Neither more important" indicates that two or more things are equal in value, while "less important" suggests that one thing has a lower priority or significance than another. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize equality or hierarchy.

Is it grammatically correct to say "not more important" instead of "neither more important"?

While "not more important" can be grammatically correct, it lacks the specific emphasis on equality that "neither more important" provides. Using "neither" implies that you are considering two or more specific items and stating that none of them is superior in importance.