Meaning & use
little importance
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Meaning
phrasefixed phrase
not important; having almost no value or effect
Grammar: Usually used after be or verbs like seem or become, often with "of": of little importance.
Patterns
- be of little importance
- seem of little importance
- attach little importance to something
The exact color of the folder is of little importance; what matters is the information inside.
To a child, a broken toy can seem of little importance to adults, but it may feel huge to them.
The committee attached little importance to the timing of the announcement.
Common combinations
- of little importance
- Whether we meet on Monday or Tuesday is of little importance.
- seem of little importance
- The mistake seemed of little importance at first.
- attach little importance to
- She attaches little importance to what strangers think.
Synonyms and how they differ
- unimportant
- A single adjective that is more direct and common in everyday speech than the phrase "of little importance."
- minor
- Suggests something is small or not serious, often used for problems or changes; "of little importance" is more about value or significance.
- insignificant
- Stronger and more formal, suggesting something is too small to matter at all.
Opposites
Word family
- importance noun
- The quality of being important.
- important adjective
- Having great value or effect.
- importantly adverb
- In a way that shows something matters.
Commonly confused: little importance or a little importance?
little importance vs a little importance
"A little importance" means some, but not much, importance; "little importance" means almost none. The article changes the meaning.
Practice
The difference in price was ______, so we chose the cheaper option.
Choose one answer.
"Of little importance" is the correct fixed phrase after "was." "Little importance" without "of" is not used in this position, and "a little importance" would mean it had some importance, which does not fit the logic of choosing the cheaper option.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “little importance”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.