Cool MateThat's important vs Vital
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
That's important
Top 3,000 (common)
Vital
Top 2,000 (common)B2adjective
Most common: Vital
| That's important | Vital | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ðæts ɪmˈpɔːtənt//🇺🇸 //ðæts ɪmˈpɔrtənt// | 🇬🇧 //ˈvaɪ.təl//🇺🇸 //ˈvaɪ.təl// |
| Meaning | This matters a lot. | very important or necessary |
| Example | It's crucial to remember that **that's important** in our discussion. | It's vital to drink enough water every day. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | B2 |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | that's crucial, that's significant, that's essential, that's vital, that's necessary | vital importance, vital signs, vital role, vital organs |
| Antonyms | - | unimportant, insignificant, trivial |
| Common mistakes | Using it in overly formal contexts., Confusing 'that's important' with 'that's necessary', which may imply obligation. | Confused with 'vitality'; the former means essential, the latter refers to energy or liveliness., Overusing in trivial contexts when less intense descriptors suffice., Mixing it up with 'critical' without understanding the nuances. |
| Usage notes | Use when emphasizing the significance of something. Appropriate in both casual and serious conversations. | Use 'vital' when emphasizing importance in both formal and informal contexts. It may not fit in casual conversations. |
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Frequently asked questions: That's important vs Vital
What's the difference between That's important and Vital?
That's important: This matters a lot. Vital: very important or necessary
Which is more common: That's important and Vital?
Vital is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
That's important: It's crucial to remember that **that's important** in our discussion. Vital: It's vital to drink enough water every day.
Can I use That's important and Vital interchangeably?
Not always. That's important and Vital 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.