simple but important

USAGE SUMMARY

"simple but important" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to emphasize the significance of something that is straightforward or uncomplicated. For example, you could say "Learning to properly use a computer is a simple but important skill."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Very simple, but important.

The Guardian - Tech

Seems it's very simple, but important.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"It's a simple but important discovery," Dr. Blass said.

The New York Times - Health

"They can think about it from simple but important ways".

The New York Times

These, he told The Daily, are based on a simple but important idea — navigation.

The New York Times

THE level is a simple but important tool that should be a part of every do-it-yourselfer's tool kit.

The New York Times

A seemingly simple but important aspect of demonstrating your humanity is just being present, physically and emotionally.

Harvard Business Review

To give a simple but important example of the application of statics, consider the two situations shown in Figure 20.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Some simple, but important, cases of surface state mediated exchange are reviewed in the framework of the model.

Electrochimica Acta

Since being elected last May, I have repeatedly sought to understand the government's lack of progress on this simple but important reform.

The Guardian - Opinion

Participants say the meetings provide something simple but important: a place where they can meet top executives without the usual pressure of being outnumbered by whites.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "simple but important" to highlight fundamental concepts that have significant impact, especially when explaining complex topics.

Common error

Avoid dismissing something as unimportant simply because it appears "simple but important". Its simplicity might be the key to its effectiveness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "simple but important" functions as an adjectival phrase used to describe a noun, emphasizing that despite its lack of complexity, the subject is of great significance. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression is indeed correct and suitable for use in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "simple but important" effectively underscores the value of concepts or actions that, while straightforward, have considerable impact. As Ludwig AI notes, it's grammatically correct and widely used. Its prevalence across various sources—from news media to scientific publications—demonstrates its versatility. While seemingly basic, the phrase's function is to emphasize the often-overlooked significance of uncomplicated elements. Therefore, it serves as a reminder to not underestimate the power of simplicity in achieving meaningful outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

straightforward yet significant

Replaces 'simple' with 'straightforward' and 'important' with 'significant', maintaining the core meaning.

basic but crucial

Substitutes 'simple' with 'basic' and 'important' with 'crucial', highlighting the fundamental and critical nature.

elementary but vital

Replaces 'simple' with 'elementary' and 'important' with 'vital', emphasizing the fundamental and essential aspects.

modest yet essential

Uses 'modest' instead of 'simple' and 'essential' in place of 'important', focusing on the unassuming but necessary quality.

uncomplicated but key

Replaces 'simple' with 'uncomplicated' and 'important' with 'key', stressing the ease of understanding and its critical role.

easy but consequential

Swaps 'simple' with 'easy' and 'important' with 'consequential', emphasizing the ease and resulting impact.

clear but critical

Replaces 'simple' with 'clear' and 'important' with 'critical', emphasizing the clarity and high importance.

fundamental yet impactful

Replaces 'simple' with 'fundamental' and 'important' with 'impactful', highlighting the foundational nature and its powerful influence.

small but meaningful

Substitutes 'simple' with 'small' and 'important' with 'meaningful', emphasizing the modest size and significant value.

accessible but significant

Uses 'accessible' instead of 'simple' and 'significant' in place of 'important', focusing on the ease of access and its importance.

FAQs

How can I use "simple but important" in a sentence?

You can use "simple but important" to emphasize that something, though not complex, has significant value or impact. For example, "Remembering to say thank you is a "simple but important" gesture."

What phrases are similar to "simple but important"?

Similar phrases include "basic but crucial", "fundamental yet impactful", and "straightforward yet significant". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say something is "simple but important"?

No, it's not necessarily redundant. The phrase "simple but important" is used to highlight that something's significance isn't diminished by its lack of complexity; in fact, its simplicity might contribute to its importance.

In what contexts is "simple but important" most appropriate?

This phrase works well in contexts where you want to emphasize the value of something that might be easily overlooked due to its straightforward nature. It's suitable in academic, business, and everyday communication.