were more important

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were more important" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the significance or value of two or more things in the past. Example: "In the context of the project, the initial findings were more important than the later results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

There were more important issues.

The New York Times

Other issues were more important, he says.

The Guardian

There were more important things, unfortunately".

The New York Times

"We knew there were more important things at hand".

The New York Times - Sports

There were more important things to worry about.

The Guardian - Sport

He suggested that the state tests were more important.

The New York Times

But there were others who were more important.

The Guardian

Military bases were more important than moral principles.

The New York Times

To their minds, class and regional differences were more important.

The Economist

I'm being revered – people are saying: "You were more important than you were given credit for".

The Guardian - Arts

There were more important artists of the era, with less interesting lives.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were more important", ensure that the comparison is clear and the context provides a basis for understanding the relative importance. For example, 'For the success of the project, clear communication and rigorous testing "were more important" than strict adherence to the initial timeline'.

Common error

Ensure that when you say something is "more important", you specify what it is more important than. A statement like 'Teamwork "were more important"' is incomplete. Instead, specify 'Teamwork "were more important" than individual brilliance'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were more important" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, indicating that certain entities or factors held greater significance or value than others in a past context. Ludwig provides numerous examples across diverse fields illustrating its use in contrasting priorities and evaluating past situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were more important" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression for comparing the significance of different elements in a past context. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples from reliable sources. The phrase is versatile, fitting into neutral and formal registers across various domains. Pay attention to the subject-verb agreement to maintain clarity and make sure the comparison is well-defined. Remember that "held greater significance", "were of greater consequence", and "carried more weight" can serve as alternatives depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

held greater significance

Emphasizes the importance by focusing on the significance something possesses.

were of greater consequence

Highlights the impact and results something has.

carried more weight

Suggests the influence or impact was stronger.

were more influential

Focuses on the power to affect or change something.

were paramount

Indicates the highest level of importance, suggesting something is crucial.

took precedence

Implies something was given priority or came before other things.

were superior

Highlights a higher quality or better standing.

were more valuable

Focuses on the worth or benefit something provided.

were more critical

Emphasizes the crucial nature of something.

were more significant

Highlights the notable or meaningful aspect of something.

FAQs

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

The phrase "were more important" is used to compare the relative significance of two or more things in the past. For example, "In that era, social connections "were more important" than technological skills".

What are some alternatives to saying "were more important"?

You can use alternatives such as "held greater significance", "were of greater consequence", or "carried more weight" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "was more important" instead of "were more important"?

The choice between "was" and "were" depends on the subject's number. Use "was" with singular subjects (e.g., 'The decision was more important') and "were" with plural subjects (e.g., 'The discussions "were more important"').

What's the difference between "were more important" and "are more important"?

"Were more important" refers to a past comparison, while "are more important" refers to a present comparison. For instance, 'In the past, formal qualifications "were more important", but now, practical experience "are more important"'.