to be important

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be important" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the significance or value of something in various contexts. Example: "It is essential to be important in your role to ensure the success of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Those friendships are likely to be important.

The Economist

That turned out to be important.

The New Yorker

Mr. Kundi wanted badly to be important.

The New York Times

That's going to be important to recovery".

The New York Times

The first goal figured to be important.

The New York Times - Sports

He's going to be important for us".

The Guardian - Sport

That decision turned out to be important.

The Guardian - Sport

A dog turned out to be important.

The Guardian - Books

"That's going to be important," he said.

The New York Times

It's going to be important and exciting for us.

The New York Times

Can you manage your need to be important?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to be important", consider the specific nuance you want to convey. Synonyms like "essential" or "crucial" can add more emphasis or urgency, depending on the context.

Common error

Avoid using "important" as a catch-all term. Be specific about why something is important. Instead of saying "This meeting is important", try "This meeting is crucial for securing the new contract."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be important" functions as an infinitive phrase, typically serving as a complement to a verb or adjective. According to Ludwig AI, it denotes the quality of being significant or consequential. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in expressing necessity, value, or impact.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

26%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be important" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to convey the significance or value of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is employed across diverse contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and formal settings. While versatile, it's crucial to consider the specific nuance you aim to convey, as synonyms like "essential" or "crucial" can provide added emphasis. Avoid overusing "important" as a catch-all term and instead, specify why something holds importance for more effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be essential

Emphasizes necessity and critical importance; slightly stronger in tone.

to be significant

Focuses on the notable or consequential aspect; more neutral.

to be crucial

Highlights the decisive importance; emphasizes a turning point.

to be vital

Indicates indispensable importance for survival or success; carries a sense of urgency.

to be paramount

Stresses the highest level of importance or priority; more formal.

to be indispensable

Highlights that something is absolutely necessary or essential.

to be of consequence

Focuses on the result or effect; suggests a notable impact.

to carry weight

Implies influence or importance in a decision-making process.

to hold significance

Highlights the deeper meaning or importance; more reflective.

to play a key role

Emphasizes the part someone or something has in contributing to a larger action or event.

FAQs

How can I use "to be important" in a sentence?

You can use "to be important" to express the significance or value of something. For example, "It is going "to be important" to understand the context before making a decision."

What are some alternatives to "to be important"?

Some alternatives to "to be important" include "to be essential", "to be significant", or "to be crucial", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "to be important" or "to being important"?

"To be important" is the correct infinitive form. "To being important" is grammatically incorrect in most contexts, unless used in specific gerund phrases.

What's the difference between "to be important" and "to become important"?

"To be important" describes a current state of significance, while "to become important" describes a change over time towards greater significance.