- Have you ever wondered whether you should “give,” “make,” or “attach” importance to a task?
- Do you find yourself repeating the word “important” because you aren’t sure how to use the noun form correctly?
- Are you looking for more professional ways to emphasize the value of your ideas in business meetings or academic essays?
Mastering importance collocations is a vital step toward English fluency. Instead of relying on simple adjectives, using the noun “importance” with the correct verbs and modifiers allows you to express nuance, sound more professional, and reduce the “translation lag” that happens when you try to map your native language directly onto English.
Essential Collocations using Importance as a Noun
In English, “importance” functions exclusively as a noun. To use it naturally, you must pair it with the correct “partner words.” Below, we break these down by how they are used in modern, everyday English.
Adjectives that Describe Degree
These adjectives tell the reader how much importance something has. In 2024 English, we avoid “big importance” in favor of more precise terms.
- Paramount importance: Used for things that are more important than anything else. (Example: In aviation, safety is of paramount importance.)
- Crucial / Vital importance: Used for things that are necessary for success. (Example: Speed of delivery is of crucial importance to our customers.)
- Utmost importance: Often used in formal requests or warnings. (Example: This matter is of the utmost importance and requires immediate action.)
- Secondary importance: Used when something is less important than the main goal. (Example: The cost is of secondary importance compared to the quality.)
- Growing importance: Used for trends that are becoming more significant over time. (Example: There is a growing importance placed on mental health in the workplace.)
Verbs Used with Importance
These verbs describe the action of giving or recognizing value. Choosing the wrong verb is a common marker of a non-native speaker.
- Attach importance to: To believe that something is significant. (Example: Different cultures attach importance to different social rituals.)
- Stress / Emphasize the importance: To highlight why something matters. (Example: The teacher stressed the importance of checking your work for typos.)
- Underscore / Highlight the importance: To show or prove that something is important. (Example: The recent power outage underscores the importance of backup generators.)
- Downplay the importance: To make something seem less significant than it is. (Example: The company tried to downplay the importance of the negative reviews.)
- Assume importance: When a situation starts to become significant. (Example: This small detail assumed great importance during the trial.)
Prepositional Patterns
The “math” of English grammar often involves which preposition follows the noun.
- Of importance: Used after the verb “to be.” (Example: This document is of great importance to the legal team.)
- Importance of [something]: Identifying the subject. (Example: We discussed the importance of sleep.)
- Importance to [someone]: Identifying who cares about it. (Example: Family traditions are of great importance to her.)
The Master Summary Table
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Paramount importance | Adjective + Noun | The highest possible importance. |
| Attach importance to | Verb + Noun + Prep | To consider something significant. |
| Of great importance | Prep + Adj + Noun | Very important (formal). |
| Underscore the importance | Verb + Noun | To prove or emphasize the value. |
| Secondary importance | Adjective + Noun | Less important than other things. |
| Minimal importance | Adjective + Noun | Very little significance. |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| It has a big importance. | It is of great importance. |
| I give importance to exercise. | I attach importance to exercise. |
| This is very importance. | This is very important (Adj) OR This is of great importance (Noun). |
| Make importance on the rules. | Stress the importance of the rules. |
Contextual Story
“During the project kickoff, the manager wanted to emphasize the importance of meeting our deadlines. While some team members felt the aesthetic design was of paramount importance, the director argued that user functionality should never be of secondary importance. The recent feedback from our clients underscores the importance of a simple interface. We must attach great importance to the user experience if we want this launch to succeed.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Importance Collocations
Is it correct to say “very importance”?
No. “Very” is an adverb used to modify adjectives (e.g., “very important”). If you want to use the noun “importance,” you should use the adjective “great” (e.g., “of great importance”).
What is the difference between “important” and “of importance”?
“Important” is an adjective used in common speech (e.g., “This is important”). “Of importance” is a prepositional phrase that functions as an adjective and is typically used in formal writing or professional contexts (e.g., “This matter is of great importance”).
Can I say “give importance”?
Should I use “importance of” or “importance for”?
We almost always use “importance of [something]” (e.g., the importance of water). We use “importance to [someone]” to show who values it (e.g., “This is of great importance to me”). Avoid “importance for” in most cases.
What does “paramount importance” mean?
“Paramount” means supreme or above all others. If something is of “paramount importance,” it means it is the number one priority and more important than everything else in that context.
This article is fantastic! I'll be sharing this with my advanced students. The explanation of 'importance' as exclusively a noun and the need for correct 'partner words' is such a clear way to address common errors.
We're so pleased to hear that, Niamh! Providing clear guidelines for common pitfalls is precisely our goal. We hope your students find the breakdown of 'importance' as a noun and its specific collocations invaluable for their journey towards fluency. Thank you for being such an dedicated educator and sharing our resources!
In Italian, 'importanza' (importance) is very direct, but the verbs we use with it vary. It's interesting how English also has specific 'partner words' to make it sound natural, just like we do. Great comparison opportunity!
Is 'attach importance' generally more formal or used in different contexts than 'give importance'? I tend to use 'give' more often but want to diversify.
Excellent question, Aisha! You're right to notice a difference. 'Attach importance' often implies a more deliberate, considered, or even official assigning of value or significance, making it slightly more formal or academic than 'give importance.' While both are correct, 'give importance' is more versatile and common in everyday conversation. For diversifying your language in professional settings, 'attach importance' is a perfect choice to add that nuanced, formal touch!
The examples for business meetings are particularly useful for me. I'm often in international meetings and want to sound more professional and articulate. This article is a treasure!
My teacher used to tell us not to say 'big importance.' Is 'great importance' also incorrect or is it just less common/less formal than 'paramount' etc.?
That's a great follow-up question, Kim! While 'great importance' is not incorrect grammatically, it is generally considered less precise and less formal than terms like 'paramount,' 'crucial,' or 'vital importance' in modern professional or academic contexts. It's more of a general intensifier. For expressing the highest degree of necessity or significance, the other collocations are indeed preferred for their specificity and stronger impact. Your teacher was guiding you towards more advanced usage!
I always just said 'it's very important.' Now I feel so much more confident using the noun form with these precise adjectives. This is a game-changer for my writing!
That's wonderful to hear, Sofia! Moving from simple adjectives to nuanced noun phrases like 'of crucial importance' significantly enhances your linguistic sophistication. You're developing a richer, more expressive style, and that confidence will shine through in your writing and speaking. Keep up the excellent work!
What about lesser degrees of importance? For example, can I say something is of 'minor importance' or 'secondary importance' using similar structures?
The concept of 'translation lag' is so real! This article has given me a lot to think about and practice. Thank you for making English learning so practical and insightful!
You're most welcome, Priya! We aim to provide insights that directly address the challenges English learners face. Overcoming 'translation lag' is a significant step towards fluency, and mastering collocations like these is a key strategy. Keep practicing, and you'll notice a remarkable improvement in your natural expression!
Really appreciate the 'In 2024 English, we avoid big importance' note. It's so helpful to get current usage advice like this. Keeps us from sounding outdated!
I'm curious about the subtle difference between 'crucial importance' and 'vital importance.' Do they have slightly different connotations, or can they be used interchangeably in most cases?
That's a very perceptive question, Olga! While 'crucial importance' and 'vital importance' are often interchangeable and both convey high significance, there can be a subtle difference. 'Crucial' often emphasizes a decisive or critical turning point – something that is absolutely essential for a successful outcome. 'Vital' tends to emphasize something being absolutely necessary for existence, life, or continued function – without it, something cannot survive or operate. For example, 'It's *crucial* to make the right decision at this junction,' versus 'Oxygen is *vital* for human life.' However, in many contexts, especially general ones, they are indeed very close!