How Do You Spell Important? — a Quick Spelling Guide

Before we dive into the topic “how do you spell important?“, let’s properly define the term “important.”

The term “Important” refers to the essential parts of something. Important means that something has significant value, carrying great consequences. It can be used in cases of valuable interpersonal connections.

Synonyms for important include major, meaningful, weighty, significant, ample, etc. Some antonyms for important are trivial, small, insignificant, minor, etc.

In this article, we will look at its spelling and etymology and comparing the derivatives of ‘important’. This is to give you a well-rounded view of the subject.

Shall we start? Let’s dive!

 The English word
How Do you Spell Important?

How Do You Spell Important?

How do you spell important? We pronounce and spell the English word “important” as [ɪmpˈɔːtənt], [ɪmpˈɔːtənt], [ɪ_m_p_ˈɔː_t_ə_n_t]. The derived form of important is ‘Importantly’. We spell important as i-m-p-o-r-t-a-n-t.

Let’s break ‘important’ into three syllables for easy recall.

– important (Port and ant are relatively easy. Just add ‘im’ as prefix).

You can also use mnemonics to remember how to spell important. Let’s try this: 

– I’m in Port for Ant (Cancel ‘in,’ ‘for’ and the apostrophe before ‘m’). I hope I haven’t confused you! Easy right?

Origin of Important

(1400-1500) French Old Italian importante, from Medieval Latin importāre to signify, be of consequence, from Latin: to carry in; 

Difference Between Important and Importance

There’s a lot of overlap between the terms: important and importance.

As a verb, importance refers to the fact that something is significant enough to warrant attention. The significance, value, or necessity of something in a specific circumstance is its importance.

To use the term important, we mean that something is relevant and necessary.

Sentence Examples of Important

  • Sleep, diet and exercise are important for good health. 
  • In the editorial review, several important points were highlighted. 
  • Archeologists have discovered an important and rare material.

Grammar: “More Important” or “more Importantly?”

Different well-known writers use both “more important” and “more importantly” in the same way, so there’s no reason not to use “importantly.” Grammar-wise, both forms are correct. 

Most American grammarians object to the adverb (importantly) and favor the adjective (important).

It is fine to use the words “more important” and “more importantly” in a sentence without altering the meaning. 

As far as we know, it’s impossible to tell which one came first. Search results indicate that “more important” is older, but experts insist “more importantly” is entirely standard and at least as popular as “more important,” 

“More important” and “more importantly” are both categorized as “sentence adjectives.” 

To use the example of “most importantly,” is like the prepositions “thankfully” and “surprisingly.” They can be found at the beginning of a phrase. They don’t change a single word but the statement’s meaning as a whole.

If you write, “Thankfully, we didn’t lose the tournament,” you’re thankful for the entire sentiment of the rest of the sentence.

The phrase “more importantly” is criticized time to time. Be careful not to use it when drafting a cover letter or other document where your character will be judged in your absence.

Which Is Correct: “Most Important” or “Most Importantly”?

There is a great deal of uncertainty surrounding the most important and most important terms. You may observe that some people always use the phrase most importantly, while others only use the phrase most important.

The distinction between these two brief statements depends on the context in which you speak. Most importantly is an adverb, whereas the term most important is an adjective. The usage will depend on the intended meaning of the communication.

This expression shows that something is much superior to other things. The phrase is an adjective.

If you consider using ‘most important,’ you should say it out loud to ensure that it is grammatically proper.

For example, if you were to say, 

  • (Wrong) Most important, the traditionalists didn’t mind the foreign music we played.” 
  • You aren’t wounded, and that’s what is most important. (right)
  • The most important thing is that you are taking action against him. (right)

The phrase ‘most importantly’ expresses anything superior to or beyond everything else. The expression ‘most importantly’ is an adverb.

‘Most importantly’ is used far less frequently than ‘most important’. However, one of the most frequent uses of this phrase is “but most importantly.” If you use this expression, it is acceptable to begin a sentence with “but” and still be grammatically accurate.

Examples

  • When electricity is restored, everyone will benefit, but most importantly you.
  • Most importantly, how do we ascertain she’s telling the truth?

The same principles apply to both more important and more importantly. More importantly is an adverb, while more important is an adjective.

To Wrap Up

The word “important” is a frequently used English word. It can be a noun and an adjective, among other possible meanings. 

It is essential to ensure that you use its derivatives in the proper context to avoid misinterpretation. Say the words aloud to check for ‘flow’ when in doubt.

Pam is an expert grammarian with years of experience teaching English, writing and ESL Grammar courses at the university level. She is enamored with all things language and fascinated with how we use words to shape our world.

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