not critical

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not critical" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is not essential or does not require immediate attention. Example: "The report is due next week, but the feedback from the team is not critical at this stage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"But it's not critical".

The New York Times - Sports

It's not critical of the government's policies.

The New York Times

They're important; they're just not critical.

The New York Times

But grape sources are not critical here.

The New York Times

But the difference is not critical.

The New York Times - Food

Dinkins? "I am not critical of David Dinkins.

The New Yorker

I'm not critical of him, it's history.

Independent

Trooper Jones said their injuries were serious but not critical.

The New York Times

However, Ms Gampell was not critical of the Diana fund.

The Guardian

I'm not critical of the drama we've got.

The Guardian

"I'm not critical of the work that he has done.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not critical" when you want to downplay the urgency or importance of something. This can help manage expectations and prioritize tasks effectively.

Common error

Avoid using "not critical" to brush aside legitimate concerns or issues. Doing so can create a dismissive tone and undermine the validity of others' perspectives. Ensure you acknowledge the issue before qualifying its criticality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not critical" primarily functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun, indicating that the noun it describes is not essential or indispensable. Ludwig AI indicates that this is a common phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

39%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not critical" is a versatile adjective phrase used to indicate that something lacks urgency or essentiality. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news, scientific, and general contexts. While it's beneficial for prioritizing and managing expectations, be mindful of potential misinterpretations. Alternatives like "not essential" or "not vital" may offer more precise nuances depending on the specific message you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not essential

Focuses on the lack of necessity.

not vital

Emphasizes that something is not indispensable for survival or success.

not crucial

Highlights that something is not a deciding factor.

not important

Indicates a general lack of significance.

not significant

Stresses the lack of notable effect or consequence.

not paramount

Suggests that something isn't of utmost importance or priority.

not indispensable

Highlights that something isn't absolutely necessary.

secondary

Denotes a lower level of priority or importance.

minor

Indicates that something is small in scale or importance.

of little consequence

Emphasizes the lack of significant impact or outcome.

FAQs

What does "not critical" mean?

The phrase "not critical" indicates that something is not essential, urgent, or of utmost importance. It suggests that the matter does not require immediate action or is not a deciding factor.

When should I use "not critical"?

Use "not critical" when you want to convey that something is secondary in importance or doesn't require immediate attention. For example, "The feature is nice to have, but "not essential" for the initial release."

What are some alternatives to "not critical"?

Alternatives to "not critical" include "not essential", "not vital", "not crucial", "not important", or "minor". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "not critical" or "unimportant"?

While both convey a lack of significance, "not critical" often implies a conditional lack of urgency or necessity, whereas "unimportant" suggests a more general lack of value. The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.