not so critical

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not so critical" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is not as important or urgent as other matters. Example: "While the deadline is approaching, the quality of the presentation is not so critical as the content itself."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

But that is not so critical.

The Guardian

For MCC, the impact of the compactor scales on the process was not so critical.

Powder Technology

I am sure the Tories would like someone who is more compliant and is not so critical of their policies".

Independent

Because of its quick-reaction nature, Google frequently launches projects that seem very important at the time, but later turn out to be not so critical after all.

The Guardian - Tech

"For these reasons we generally use engines with a higher mileage on their third race as power sensitivity is not so critical," he added.

The New York Times - Sports

The Nature Conservancy, he said, is trying to encourage the growers to use low-lying tracts that are not so critical to the region.

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

"Those problems arose at a different moment in the history of the global economy, when banks around the world were not so intertwined and when the financial sector wasn't so critical to global growth," Mr. Garten said.

The New York Times

Dheepan's hero is a Sri Lankan Hindu, not an Arab or a Muslim, though, to be fair, Audiard said he wrote the story five years ago, "when it wasn't so critical".

The Guardian - Film

Also, when we made Poultrygeist, people weren't so critical of fast food.

Vice

Trailer for Return to Nuke 'Em High: Volume 1. Also, when we made Poultrygeist, people weren't so critical of fast food.

Vice

But everything is a priority to me, whether returning a not-so-critical phone call, promoting my own books, editing my blogging interviews, developing my coaching practice, applying to give my workshop at Chicago locations, reading psychology and self-help books, checking my social media stats, researching an interesting concept for Coach's Corner, you name it.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not so critical", ensure the context clearly indicates what aspects are more important. Providing a contrasting element enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "not so critical" without specifying what is more important. This can leave the reader unsure of the priorities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not so critical" functions as a qualifier, modifying a noun or idea by diminishing its importance or urgency. Ludwig AI examples demonstrate it clarifies priorities, showing what is comparatively less vital.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

42%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not so critical" serves to downplay the importance of something in relation to other factors. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in diverse contexts, from news and media to scientific literature. When using "not so critical", it's important to provide context to what is more important. Alternatives include "less important" or "not essential", which may be more appropriate depending on the specific meaning you wish to convey. Avoiding overuse without context ensures clarity and prevents reader confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not essential

Indicates something is unnecessary, differing by emphasizing lack of requirement.

not vital

Highlights the absence of crucial importance, suggesting something can be done without.

not crucial

Stresses the non-critical nature, focusing on the absence of decisiveness.

less important

Directly states a lower level of significance, differing by using a comparative form.

secondary

Implies a supporting role rather than a leading one, indicating reduced importance.

of minor importance

Emphasizes the small degree of relevance, differing by using a more descriptive structure.

not a priority

Indicates something is not at the top of the list, differing by focusing on prioritization.

not paramount

Signifies the absence of supreme importance, suggesting other things take precedence.

not pressing

Indicates the absence of urgency, differing by emphasizing the time sensitivity.

dispensable

Highlights that something can be done away with without consequence, differing by its stronger implication of removability.

FAQs

How can I use "not so critical" in a sentence?

You can use "not so critical" to indicate that something is less important than something else. For example, "While meeting the deadline is important, the presentation's design is "not so critical".".

What are some alternatives to "not so critical"?

Alternatives to "not so critical" include phrases like "less important", "not essential", or "secondary", depending on the specific context.

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

Whether "not so critical" or "unimportant" is better depends on the nuance you want to convey. "Not so critical" suggests that something has some value but is not essential, while "unimportant" suggests it has little to no value.

What's the difference between "not so critical" and "not critical"?

"Not so critical" implies a degree of importance, whereas "not critical" suggests a complete lack of importance. The addition of "so" softens the statement, indicating it's less crucial but still potentially relevant.