Crucial vs That's important

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Crucial

Top 1,000 (very common)B2adjective

That's important

Top 3,000 (common)
Most common: Crucial
 CrucialThat's important
Pronunciation🇬🇧 /["/ˈkruːʃl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈkruːʃl/"]/🇬🇧 //ðæts ɪmˈpɔːtənt//🇺🇸 //ðæts ɪmˈpɔrtənt//
Meaningvery importantThis matters a lot.
ExampleIt is crucial to finish your homework before the deadline.It's crucial to remember that **that's important** in our discussion.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 1,000 (very common)Top 3,000 (common)
CEFR levelB2-
Part of speechadjective
Collocationsbe, prove, seem, really, very, absolutely, for, tothat's crucial, that's significant, that's essential, that's vital, that's necessary
Antonymsunimportant, trivial, insignificant-
Common mistakesUsing 'crucial' in place of 'critical' in all contexts., Saying 'crucial for to' instead of just 'crucial for'., Confusing 'crucial' with 'crucifix'.Using it in overly formal contexts., Confusing 'that's important' with 'that's necessary', which may imply obligation.
Usage notesUse 'crucial' for situations that are significantly important, especially in formal contexts. Avoid using it in casual conversations where simpler words like 'important' might fit better.Use when emphasizing the significance of something. Appropriate in both casual and serious conversations.

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That's important

Frequently asked questions: Crucial vs That's important

What's the difference between Crucial and That's important?

Crucial: very important That's important: This matters a lot.

Which is more common: Crucial and That's important?

Crucial is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Crucial: It is crucial to finish your homework before the deadline. That's important: It's crucial to remember that **that's important** in our discussion.

Can I use Crucial and That's important interchangeably?

Not always. Crucial and That's important are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.