Cool MateThis is important vs Vital
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
This is important
Top 1,000 (very common)
Vital
Top 2,000 (common)B2adjective
Most common: This is important
| This is important | Vital | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ðɪs ɪz ɪmˈpɔːtənt//🇺🇸 //ðɪs ɪz ɪmˈpɔrtənt// | 🇬🇧 //ˈvaɪ.təl//🇺🇸 //ˈvaɪ.təl// |
| Meaning | This is necessary or has a lot of value. | very important or necessary |
| Example | This is important because it affects our future. | It's vital to drink enough water every day. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | B2 |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | important decision, important issue, important information, important role, important factor | vital importance, vital signs, vital role, vital organs |
| Antonyms | - | unimportant, insignificant, trivial |
| Common mistakes | Using 'importantly' instead of 'important', Confusing with 'significant', Overusing in casual conversation | 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 | Used to emphasize the significance of a topic. Appropriate in most contexts but avoid excessive use to maintain impact. | 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: This is important vs Vital
What's the difference between This is important and Vital?
This is important: This is necessary or has a lot of value. Vital: very important or necessary
Which is more common: This is important and Vital?
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. Vital: It's vital to drink enough water every day.
Can I use This is important and Vital interchangeably?
Not always. This is 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.