nothing of import

USAGE SUMMARY

"nothing of import" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to express that something is not worth consideration or is insignificant. For example, "I said nothing of import when the discussion turned to politics."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

As a result it's easy to get the impression that nothing of import is ever done by short people.

The Guardian

Anarchy's fine to celebrate when you're a teenager and nothing of import is at stake.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

They think nothing of importing a Canadian to run their central bank, or a succession of continental Europeans to manage the English football team.

The Economist

After that, Boyer said nothing much of import, beyond seeming agreeable and encouraging respectful disagreement, which at least constitutes a victory over cretinism.

The New Yorker

But it is interesting that we have said nothing of any import about the war and we have said nothing of any import about enlargement itself.

EU Parlament

There is nothing of greater import in this world.

Unicef

They think nothing, for example, of importing pedigree dogs (a subtle badge of opposition to Islam).

The Guardian - Opinion

The directive will do nothing, of course, to restrict cheap US imports.

BBC

Most countries desperately need oil exports to fund government spending, to provide employment and to pay for imports, to say nothing of servicing their huge foreign debts.

Forbes

Films of import.

The Guardian - Film

It fits a mold, regardless of import.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When clarity is paramount, consider using more common alternatives like "unimportant" or "insignificant", especially in everyday conversation.

Common error

Avoid using "nothing of import" in casual conversation or informal writing. Its formal tone can sound stilted or pretentious in such settings. Opt for simpler phrases like "it's not important" or "it doesn't matter".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nothing of import" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject or object within a sentence. It denotes the absence of significance or value. As indicated by Ludwig, this phrase is considered grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "nothing of import" is a grammatically correct expression used to denote the absence of significance or value. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's usable and understood in written English. While not extremely common, it finds its niche in formal and semi-formal contexts, often within News & Media sources. Alternatives like ""nothing of significance"" or ""nothing of consequence"" can provide similar meanings with slightly different registers. When using this phrase, consider the context and audience to ensure the level of formality aligns appropriately. Although correct to use it, remember that it is considered rare.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nothing of consequence

Replaces "import" with "consequence", maintaining the meaning of insignificance.

nothing of significance

Substitutes "import" with "significance", offering a slightly more common alternative.

nothing of importance

Replaces "import" with "importance", a very common and readily understood phrase.

not important

Simplifies the phrase to a more direct and concise expression.

of no consequence

Changes the structure to an adjective phrase, emphasizing the lack of impact.

of no significance

Similar to 'of no consequence' but using the term 'significance'.

inconsequential matters

Focuses on the matters being inconsequential.

trivial matters

Highlights the trivial nature of the matters in question.

minor detail

Singular focus to the fact that the matter is a detail and therefore unimportant.

petty issue

Stresses how the matter in question is of less importance.

FAQs

How can I use "nothing of import" in a sentence?

You can use "nothing of import" to indicate that something is not significant or worth considering. For example, "I said "nothing of import" during the meeting, as I had little to contribute to the discussion."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "nothing of import"?

Similar phrases include "nothing of consequence", "nothing of significance", or simply "not important". The best choice depends on the desired level of formality.

Is "nothing of import" formal or informal?

"Nothing of import" leans towards the formal side. For more casual settings, consider using alternatives like "doesn't matter" or "it's not a big deal".

What's the difference between "nothing of import" and "nothing of importance"?

While both convey a lack of significance, "nothing of import" is slightly more formal and literary. "Nothing of importance" is more commonly used in everyday speech and writing.