substantially more important

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantially more important" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the significance or priority of one thing over another in a comparative context. Example: "In this project, the environmental impact is substantially more important than the cost of implementation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Denitrification rates became substantially more important than on Earth and ultimately resulted in 60%, 200% and 1200% higher emissions of NO, N2O and N2 gases, respectively.

Advances in Space Research

The boss of one large consumer-goods firm says, in private, that today his company makes two-thirds of its money from the poor and lower middle classes, but adds it is "not enough" to focus on them since "the portion of upper middle class will become substantially more important".

The Economist

Until 2010, the administrative framework for paying the introduction allowance towards newly arrived immigrants therefore did not stand out much from the regular social assistance system, and, until 2010, the rights for newcomers remained substantially more important than duties (Djuve & Kavli, 2007).

Comparative Migration Studies

The mid-terms are just as important, if not substantially more important, than the presidential election.

Huffington Post

So, while others were chatting about the top must-haves for next season, Madame Speaker was generously giving me seven pieces of advice that are substantially more important than the hottest styles.

Huffington Post

For the remaining three progenitors, the gaps are substantially more important.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Earlier that month, I had published a piece arguing that Apple needed to be less opaque about its security and privacy systems and policies, because they were substantially different and more important than a 'product reveal'.

TechCrunch

I fear that my company will lose substantially more business at this important time of the year for all businesses".

TechCrunch

"The first half was psychologically more important, but substantially, the Serbian elections matter more".

The New York Times

Salomone countered that race is substantially different from gender, and, more important, that a child would end up at T.Y.W.L.S., or another single-sex school, only by parental choice.

The New York Times - Magazine

The former makes for titillating and ever-changing media commentary, and marketing opportunity; the latter is vastly more important and substantially ignored.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "substantially more important" to clearly signal that one factor carries significantly greater weight or influence than another. This provides clarity and emphasis in your writing.

Common error

While "substantially more important" is grammatically sound, using it excessively in casual conversation or informal writing may sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "much more important" or "way more important" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantially more important" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, emphasizing the greater significance of one item over another. This construction serves to highlight a distinct difference in importance, as seen in Ludwig's examples where various factors are deemed "substantially more important" in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantially more important" is a phrase used to highlight a considerable difference in significance between two or more things. As shown by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and appears across a range of contexts, from science and news to formal business communications. While the phrase can be very impactful, it may come across as overly formal in casual contexts; choosing words with a similar meaning that reflect a specific level of tone is paramount. The most common environments that feature the expression are Science, News & Media, and Formal & Business. It's useful to signal a significant difference in importance, but bear in mind the potential for sounding overly formal in certain situations. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples of its application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significantly more crucial

Emphasizes the level of significance more directly.

considerably more vital

Highlights the life-or-death aspect of the importance.

markedly more essential

Focuses on the indispensable nature of the subject.

appreciably more critical

Stresses a decisive turning point in importance.

noticeably more paramount

Indicates a very high level of prominence.

materially more consequential

Highlights the impact and results of the importance.

demonstrably more pivotal

Stresses the central importance for outcomes.

distinctly more relevant

Highlights the applicability and connection to the topic.

measurably more valuable

Highlights the worth and benefit.

undeniably more significant

Emphasizes that importance cannot be challenged.

FAQs

How can I use "substantially more important" in a sentence?

Use "substantially more important" to compare the significance of two elements, highlighting that one has a considerably higher degree of importance. For example, "In crisis management, clear communication is "far more important" than immediate action."

What are some alternatives to "substantially more important"?

Alternatives include "significantly more crucial", "considerably more vital", or "markedly more essential". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "much more important" instead of "substantially more important"?

Yes, "much more important" is grammatically correct and conveys a similar meaning. However, "substantially more important" adds a degree of formality and emphasis, making it suitable for more formal or academic contexts, while "much more important" is perfectly correct in more casual scenarios.

What's the difference between "more important" and "substantially more important"?

"More important" indicates a difference in significance, while "substantially more important" emphasizes that the difference is considerable or significant. The latter is used when you want to stress that one thing is significantly higher in priority or impact than another.