relatively unimportant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "relatively unimportant" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not significant or crucial in comparison to other factors or elements. Example: "While the details of the report are interesting, they are relatively unimportant to the overall findings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Here's your chance to celebrate a relatively unimportant Jewish Holiday by sharing this video with your relatively unimportant relatives!

Huffington Post

The titles are relatively unimportant.

The Guardian - Arts

He gets pretty runs, relatively unimportant runs.

The Guardian - Sport

The groom-to-be (John Lund) is relatively unimportant.

The New York Times

But such issues, it is now claimed, were relatively unimportant.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A slow, relatively unimportant frame can be a cure for insomnia.

The Guardian - Sport

I couldn't risk our chances being affected by something so relatively unimportant.

The Guardian - Opinion

For other e-businesses, proximity to large airports seems relatively unimportant.

The New York Times

"The prospect of preparing for an emergency that may or may not happen is relatively unimportant.

The New York Times

Even Powell's best-known biographer, Wallace Stegner, called the 1869 voyage "relatively unimportant".

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Nevertheless, he suited up and started a relatively unimportant Thanksgiving Day game against the comically inept Cincinnati Bengals.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "relatively unimportant", ensure the context clearly establishes what the comparison is being made against. This provides clarity and prevents misinterpretation of the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "relatively unimportant" when the subject is, in fact, completely irrelevant. "Relatively unimportant" implies some level of relevance, however small. Choose stronger terms like "irrelevant" or "inapplicable" when something has no bearing at all.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "relatively unimportant" functions as an adjectival modifier, specifying the degree of importance of a noun. It indicates that something is not entirely without importance, but its significance is lower in comparison to other factors or elements. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Encyclopedias

17%

Science

28%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "relatively unimportant" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something has a lower degree of significance when compared to other factors. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it's usable across various contexts, primarily appearing in news, encyclopedias, and scientific sources. When using "relatively unimportant", ensure you provide enough context for the comparison to be clear. While alternatives like "comparatively insignificant" or "somewhat trivial" exist, it's important to avoid overstating the insignificance if the subject has absolutely no bearing at all.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

comparatively insignificant

Emphasizes a lack of importance when compared to something else.

somewhat trivial

Suggests a minor or trifling nature.

moderately inconsequential

Highlights the lack of impact or consequence.

marginally immaterial

Indicates a lack of relevance or pertinence.

fairly negligible

Implies that something is so small as to be not worth considering.

rather secondary

Indicates a supporting or less important role.

not particularly significant

Expresses a lack of noticeable importance.

of little consequence

Emphasizes the lack of importance regarding the outcome.

not especially crucial

Indicates a lack of critical or decisive importance.

of minor concern

Suggests something is not a primary worry or problem.

FAQs

How can I use "relatively unimportant" in a sentence?

You can use "relatively unimportant" to describe something that has a small impact or influence compared to something else. For example: "The cost was "relatively unimportant" compared to the potential benefits."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "relatively unimportant"?

Similar phrases include "comparatively insignificant", "somewhat trivial", or "moderately inconsequential". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever wrong to use the phrase "relatively unimportant"?

While grammatically correct, using "relatively unimportant" might be misleading if the item is truly irrelevant or completely insignificant. In such cases, using words like "irrelevant" or "insignificant" might be more accurate.

What's the difference between "relatively unimportant" and "absolutely unimportant"?

"Relatively unimportant" means something has a low level of importance compared to something else. "Absolutely unimportant" means something has no importance at all. The former implies a comparison, while the latter is a definitive statement of irrelevance.