Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

that's not important
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Alternative expressions(7)

of no consequence

immaterial

that's not relevant

that's beside the point

it's of no consequence

it's insignificant

it carries no weight

Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

You remember everything that's not important".

News & Media

The New Yorker

If something comes into your inbox that's not important, just move it to your @SaneLater folder.

News & Media

TechCrunch

It's something that's not important, but is important to me.

News & Media

Huffington Post

A virus usually tries to target something that's important, rather than something that's not important.

News & Media

Vice

Cross off your accomplishments and take off anything that's not important.

News & Media

Huffington Post

Test this on a document or paper that's not important, so that you can see the effect.

Wiki

WikiHow

The last bit sounds like every girl's nightmare, but that's not important now.

News & Media

The Guardian

But that's not important".

News & Media

The New York Times

But that's not important now".

News & Media

The New York Times

"That's not important," she replied.

News & Media

The New York Times

But that's not important right now.

News & Media

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In dialogue, this phrase can effectively characterize a person as being focused, dismissive, or mysterious by withholding information.

Common error

Be cautious when using this phrase in interpersonal communication. While it is grammatically correct, telling a colleague or friend that what they said is "not important" can be perceived as belittling. In professional feedback, consider using "less relevant here" instead.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

94%

Authority and reliability

4.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that's not important" functions as a declarative clause used to negate the significance of a preceding statement or object. In the examples provided by Ludwig, it often acts as a transitional element, allowing a speaker to acknowledge a fact while simultaneously dismissing it to maintain focus on a different subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

10%

Personal & Narrative

Less common in

Science

Encyclopedias

Legal

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "that's not important" is a highly versatile and frequently used phrase in modern English. Based on data from Ludwig, it is a staple of journalistic prose, used to create narrative tension or simplify complex explanations. While perfectly acceptable in most contexts, writers should be mindful of its potentially dismissive tone in sensitive dialogues. Its strength lies in its simplicity and its ability to act as a powerful verbal pivot, ensuring that the most critical information remains at the forefront of the audience's mind.

More alternative expressions(10)

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that doesn't matter

Shifts the focus away from the significance of an event or detail.

that's irrelevant

More formal and specifically denotes that the point has no connection to the current topic.

that's beside the point

Idiomatic way to say a detail is distracting from the main argument.

it's of no consequence

Highly formal expression suggesting a detail will not affect the outcome.

it's insignificant

Emphasizes the small scale or lack of value of the subject.

that's not a priority

Suggests the item might be important later but is not the current focus.

it carries no weight

Metaphorical way to say a point lacks influence or importance.

that's trivial

Suggests the point is minor, common, or even slightly silly.

it's negligible

Implies the importance is so small it can safely be ignored.

that's a minor detail

Explicitly categorizes the information as secondary to the main narrative.

FAQs

How do I use "that's not important" in a sentence?

You can use it to dismiss a side detail and return to the main topic. For example: "I lost my keys, but "that's not important" right now; we need to leave immediately."

What can I say instead of "that's not important"?

You can use alternatives like "that doesn't matter", "that's irrelevant", or "that's incidental" depending on the context.

Is "that's not important" considered formal?

It is generally neutral. In very formal academic or legal writing, it is often replaced by more precise terms like "of no consequence" or "immaterial".

What is the difference between "that's not important" and "that's not relevant"?

While similar, "that's not important" refers to the value or weight of the information, whereas "that's not relevant" specifically means the information does not apply to the current situation or logic.

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Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Source & Trust

94%

Authority and reliability

4.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences:

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that's not importantGrammar usage guide and real-world examples

that's not important
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples