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Prepositions before nouns

Of importance or in importance?

Of importance is a standard expression meaning important. In importance is uncommon and usually appears only in comparisons or rankings.

Quick answer

Which phrase is correct?

Use of importance to mean important or significant: a matter of importance. In importance is mainly used when comparing levels of importance: The issue grew in importance over time.

This is a matter of importance to the community.
The topic increased in importance after the election.
Nothing of importance was discussed.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
of importance

Describing significance

Use this phrase to say that something is important or valuable.

Her advice was of importance to the project.
Several issues of importance remain unresolved.
2
increase in importance

Describing change in status

Use in importance after verbs such as increase, rise, or decline to compare importance over time.

The role has grown in importance recently.
These skills declined in importance after automation.
3
importance of + noun

Naming what matters

Use importance of to identify the thing that is important.

They discussed the importance of communication at work.
Teachers stress the importance of sleep for children.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
of importance
The document is of great importance.
Standard expression meaning important or significant.
in importance
The issue increased in importance.
Used in comparisons or changes in degree of importance.
importance of
We understand the importance of trust.
Names the thing considered important.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using in importance as a general description

In importance is not usually used alone to mean important.

✕ This topic is in importance. ✓ This topic is of importance.

Forgetting the comparison context

In importance normally follows verbs showing change or comparison.

✕ A meeting in importance was held. ✓ A meeting of importance was held.

Omitting of after importance

Importance commonly takes of before the related noun.

✕ the importance teamwork ✓ the importance of teamwork

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. This is a question ___ importance.
2. The issue grew ___ importance after the report.
3. They discussed the importance ___ safety.

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Paste the complete sentence below. Linguix checks the preposition together with grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style.

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Frequently asked questions

Is of importance formal?

Yes. It is common in formal writing and speeches.

Can I say very of importance?

No. Use very important or of great importance instead.

Is in importance common in everyday English?

No. It mainly appears in comparative contexts such as increase in importance.

of, about, against, to or for racism? of, about, for, in or on friendship? of, about, for, on or to thing? of, about, for, to or with sex? of, about, on, to or for moon? "of access" or "with access"? "of accommodation" or "for accommodation"? "of accuracy" or "for accuracy"? "of action" or "in action"? "of actor", "with actor" or "by actor"? "of address" or "to address"? "of administration" or "in administration"?

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