In 15 Seconds
- Used to highlight something that is very significant or impactful.
- Common in professional, academic, or serious personal contexts.
- Pairs best with 'of' as in 'of great importance'.
Meaning
This phrase describes something that is very significant or has a big impact on a situation. It is like saying something is 'a big deal' but in a more polished, serious way.
Key Examples
3 of 6In a high-level business meeting
This contract is of great importance to our firm's future.
This contract is of great importance to our firm's future.
A teacher talking to a student
Your final exam is of great importance for your grade.
Your final exam is of great importance for your grade.
Discussing family history
This old photograph is of great importance to my grandmother.
This old photograph is of great importance to my grandmother.
Cultural Background
In American business culture, 'great importance' is often used to signal that a project is a 'high priority'. It is a way to cut through the usual office small talk and indicate that resources should be allocated here. British speakers may use 'great importance' in a slightly more understated way. If a British official says something is 'of some importance', they might actually mean it is of 'great importance'. However, in formal writing, they use the phrase directly. When Japanese professionals use English, they often prefer 'great importance' because it matches the formal tone of Japanese business culture (Keigo). It feels more respectful than 'very important'. In the global academic community, 'great importance' is the 'currency' of research. To get published, you must prove your topic is of 'great importance' to the field.
The 'Of' Rule
If you use 'great importance' after a be-verb (is/are/was), you almost always need the word 'of' before it. 'This is of great importance' sounds 10x more natural than 'This is great importance'.
Don't Overuse It
If everything is of 'great importance', then nothing is. Save this phrase for things that actually matter to avoid sounding like you're crying wolf.
In 15 Seconds
- Used to highlight something that is very significant or impactful.
- Common in professional, academic, or serious personal contexts.
- Pairs best with 'of' as in 'of great importance'.
What It Means
Great importance is a way to highlight that something really matters. It is more than just 'important.' It suggests that the subject has weight, value, or serious consequences. Think of it as the difference between a snack and a five-course meal. One is nice; the other is a big event.
How To Use It
You usually pair this with the verb to be or to have. For example, you can say 'This meeting is of great importance.' It sounds smooth and professional. You can also use it to describe a person's role or a specific document. It acts like a spotlight, making the subject stand out from the crowd. Don't overthink the grammar; just treat it as a strong adjective phrase.
When To Use It
Use this when you want to sound serious and respectful. It is perfect for workplace emails or when discussing family traditions. If you are at a job interview, use it to show you value the company's mission. It works well in academic writing too. It tells the reader, 'Hey, pay attention to this part!'
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using this for tiny, everyday things. Don't say your choice of socks is of great importance unless you are a fashion mogul. It can sound a bit dramatic or 'extra' in casual texts. If you are just grabbing pizza with friends, stick to 'important' or 'cool.' Using it too much makes you sound like a 19th-century poet. Save it for the moments that actually deserve the hype.
Cultural Background
In English-speaking cultures, we love to rank things. We use phrases like this to create a hierarchy of tasks. It stems from a formal tradition of showing deference to authority or law. In the UK and US, using this phrase signals that you are a serious person. It shows you understand the 'gravity' of a situation. It is a linguistic 'suit and tie' for your sentences.
Common Variations
You might hear people say utmost importance for even more drama. Some prefer paramount importance if they want to sound very fancy. In casual talk, people just say 'it's a big deal.' If you want to be slightly less formal, try significant importance. Each one changes the 'volume' of the importance slightly. Stick to great importance for a safe, high-quality middle ground.
Usage Notes
This is a formal collocation. It is most frequently found in written documents or professional speeches rather than casual street slang.
The 'Of' Rule
If you use 'great importance' after a be-verb (is/are/was), you almost always need the word 'of' before it. 'This is of great importance' sounds 10x more natural than 'This is great importance'.
Don't Overuse It
If everything is of 'great importance', then nothing is. Save this phrase for things that actually matter to avoid sounding like you're crying wolf.
Email Etiquette
Using this in an email subject line (e.g., 'Of Great Importance: Meeting Update') will definitely get people to open it, but use it sparingly!
Examples
6This contract is of great importance to our firm's future.
This contract is of great importance to our firm's future.
Shows the high stakes of a business deal.
Your final exam is of great importance for your grade.
Your final exam is of great importance for your grade.
Emphasizes the weight of a specific task.
This old photograph is of great importance to my grandmother.
This old photograph is of great importance to my grandmother.
Expresses deep sentimental value.
Listen, what I'm about to tell you is of great importance!
Listen, what I'm about to tell you is of great importance!
Used slightly dramatically to grab attention.
Oh yes, choosing the right emoji is of great importance.
Oh yes, choosing the right emoji is of great importance.
Using a formal phrase for a silly topic creates humor.
We attach great importance to your feedback.
We attach great importance to your feedback.
A standard way to show a customer they are valued.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing words to complete the formal sentence.
The safety of our employees is ______ ______ importance to this company.
The standard formal pattern is 'is of great importance'.
Which sentence is the most appropriate for a business report?
Choose the best option:
'Of great importance' is the correct formal collocation.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form.
Manager: 'Why should we invest in this?' Employee: 'Because it ______ great importance to our long-term strategy.'
While 'is of' is common, 'holds great importance' is also a valid and sophisticated variation.
Match the phrase to the correct context.
Where would you most likely see the phrase 'of great importance'?
The phrase is highly formal and suited for legal or national documents.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesThe safety of our employees is ______ ______ importance to this company.
The standard formal pattern is 'is of great importance'.
Choose the best option:
'Of great importance' is the correct formal collocation.
Manager: 'Why should we invest in this?' Employee: 'Because it ______ great importance to our long-term strategy.'
While 'is of' is common, 'holds great importance' is also a valid and sophisticated variation.
Where would you most likely see the phrase 'of great importance'?
The phrase is highly formal and suited for legal or national documents.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt's grammatically possible but redundant. 'Great' already means 'very', so it's better to just say 'great importance' or 'utmost importance'.
Only if you are being serious or a bit dramatic. For example, 'It's of great importance that you don't forget the wine!' is okay as a joke, but 'really important' is better for normal texts.
They are very similar. 'High importance' is often used in technical settings (like 'high importance email' or 'high importance task'), while 'great importance' is more common in general formal writing.
Yes, significantly. 'Very important' is neutral and can be used anywhere. 'Great importance' is specifically for formal or professional contexts.
No. 'Importance' is uncountable here. You should say 'This is of great importance'.
Common verbs include: be (is of), attach, place, assign, hold, and possess.
It is used equally in both, especially in professional and academic circles.
Usually, we use it for things, ideas, or events. If you say 'He is of great importance', it sounds like he is a very high-ranking official or a key witness in a trial.
In formal speech, pronounce it clearly. In casual American speech, it often becomes a glottal stop (a catch in the throat).
Not necessarily 'better', just different. 'Crucial' is more concise and works well in fast-paced environments. 'Great importance' is more elegant and rhythmic.
Related Phrases
of the essence
similarExtremely important and urgent.
utmost importance
specialized formThe highest possible level of importance.
a matter of life and death
similarSomething that is critically important.
trivial matter
contrastSomething of no importance.
