Cool MateThis is important vs This isn't a game
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
This is important
Top 1,000 (very common)
This isn't a game
Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Most common: This is important
| This is important | This isn't a game | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ðɪs ɪz ɪmˈpɔːtənt//🇺🇸 //ðɪs ɪz ɪmˈpɔrtənt// | 🇬🇧 //ðɪs ˈɪzənt ə ɡeɪm//🇺🇸 //ðɪs ˈɪzənt ə ɡeɪm// |
| Meaning | This is necessary or has a lot of value. | This is serious and not for fun. |
| Example | This is important because it affects our future. | In this situation, remember, this isn't a game. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| Collocations | important decision, important issue, important information, important role, important factor | take seriously, serious situation, not a joke |
| Antonyms | - | This is serious, This is not a joke, This is reality, This is for real |
| Common mistakes | Using 'importantly' instead of 'important', Confusing with 'significant', Overusing in casual conversation | Often confused with 'this isn't a joke'., Used in playful contexts when it shouldn't be. |
| Usage notes | Used to emphasize the significance of a topic. Appropriate in most contexts but avoid excessive use to maintain impact. | Use in situations where you want to emphasize the seriousness of a matter. Avoid in light-hearted contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: This is important vs This isn't a game
What's the difference between This is important and This isn't a game?
This is important: This is necessary or has a lot of value. This isn't a game: This is serious and not for fun.
Which is more common: This is important and This isn't a game?
This is important is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
This is important: This is important because it affects our future. This isn't a game: In this situation, remember, this isn't a game.
Can I use This is important and This isn't a game interchangeably?
Not always. This is important and This isn't a game 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.