Collocations with “Important” and “Significant”
Collocations with “Important” and “Significant” explains how to use these commonly confused words correctly in English. Many learners use important and significant in the wrong context. This article highlights common collocations such as important decision, important role, significant change, and significant impact. With clear explanations and simple examples, it helps students understand the difference in meaning and usage. This post is ideal for academic writing, exams, and formal communication. Written in easy English, it supports ESL learners and students who want to write more clearly and professionally.
What Are Collocations?
Before we get into the specific word pairs that go with “important” and “significant,” let’s take a moment to understand what collocations are. A collocation is a set of words that usually go together.
They might sound perfectly normal to people who speak the language fluently, but they can be confusing for those who are learning. For instance, we say “strong coffee” instead of “powerful coffee.”
Even though “powerful” and “strong” mean similar things, “strong” is the word that fits best with “coffee.” These combinations of words are what we refer to as collocations.
Collocations with “Important”
Let’s start with some common collocations using the word “important.” We use “important” to describe something of great value, influence, or significance.
Here are some popular collocations:
1. Important decision
- Making important decisions is part of everyday life.
- An important decision can change the course of your future.
Meaning: A decision that has a big effect on the outcome of a situation or life.
2. Important issue
- Climate change is an important issue that affects everyone.
- Health care is an important issue in many countries.
Meaning: A topic or matter that needs attention because it affects a lot of people or has serious consequences.
3. Important role
- Teachers play an important role in shaping young minds.
- She has an important role in the company’s success.
Meaning: A key part or responsibility in a situation or activity.
4. Important factor
- Trust is an important factor in any relationship.
- The cost is an important factor when deciding which phone to buy.
Meaning: An element or condition that has a strong effect on the outcome of something.
5. Important person
- He is an important person in the business world.
- The meeting was attended by several important people.
Meaning: A person who has power, influence, or authority.
6. Important event
- The wedding was an important event in their lives.
- The discovery of electricity was an important event in history.
Meaning: A special or significant occurrence, often with a lasting impact.
7. Important information
- Please read the important information on the form.
- The doctor gave me important information about my treatment.
Meaning: Details or facts that are crucial to understanding something or making a decision.
8. Important step
- Signing the contract is an important step in the process.
- Taking small steps is an important part of improving your skills.
Meaning: A crucial action or phase in a series of events.
9. Important meeting
- We have an important meeting with the client tomorrow.
- It’s important to prepare well for important meetings.
Meaning: A meeting that requires attention and has significant consequences.
10. Important change
- The company made an important change to its policy.
- Moving to a new country can be an important change in a person’s life.
Meaning: A change that has a significant effect on a situation or process.
You can find all our key lessons on the important links page.
Collocations with “Significant”
Now let’s look at some common collocations using the word “significant.”
“Significant” is often used in a similar way to “important,” but it tends to focus more on the size, amount, or effect of something.
It can describe things that are meaningful or impactful in a noticeable way.
1. Significant difference
- There is a significant difference between these two products.
- The new law will make a significant difference to the economy.
Meaning: A noticeable or important variation between two things.
2. Significant impact
- The new technology had a significant impact on the industry.
- His actions had a significant impact on the team’s success.
Meaning: A strong or important effect on something.
3. Significant change
- There has been a significant change in the way we communicate.
- The country saw a significant change in its leadership.
Meaning: A big or important shift that alters something in a noticeable way.
4. Significant contribution
- She made a significant contribution to the project’s success.
- His research has made a significant contribution to the field of science.
Meaning: A valuable or important addition or effort that helps achieve something.
5. Significant improvement
- The company reported significant improvement in its sales figures.
- There has been significant improvement in his performance at work.
Meaning: A noticeable or important progress or betterment.
6. Significant amount
- A significant amount of time was spent on the preparation.
- He invested a significant amount of money in the project.
Meaning: A large or considerable quantity of something.
7. Significant progress
- We have made significant progress in our negotiations.
- The patient showed significant progress after the surgery.
Meaning: Meaningful or notable advancement in a task or process.
8. Significant result
- The research led to significant results that could change the industry.
- The election produced a significant result for the political party.
Meaning: An outcome that is important and worth noticing.
9. Significant proportion
- A significant proportion of the population is affected by this disease.
- A significant proportion of students failed the exam.
Meaning: A large or notable part of a whole.
10. Significant discovery
- The discovery of penicillin was a significant breakthrough in medicine.
- They made a significant discovery in the field of archaeology.
Meaning: An important or groundbreaking finding that has a big impact.
Differences Between “Important” and “Significant”
While both “important” and “significant” are used to describe things that matter, they do have subtle differences:
- Important tends to focus on things that matter in a general sense, often because they influence outcomes or decisions.
- Significant often emphasizes the degree or extent of importance, focusing on something that has a large or noticeable effect.
For example:
- “Making the right decision is important for your career.” (It matters, but the level of impact isn’t as emphasized.)
- “The decision to change careers had a significant impact on his life.” (The change had a big and noticeable effect.)
Tips for Using “Important” and “Significant” Correctly
- Use “important” when you want to stress that something has a direct impact or influence on a situation.
- Use “significant” when you want to highlight the size, amount, or degree of importance.
- Be careful with collocations—while “important decision” and “significant decision” are both correct, they carry slightly different nuances.
- If you’re unsure, think about whether you want to focus on something that just matters (important) or on something that has a noticeable or large effect (significant).
Conclusion
Mastering collocations with “important” and “significant” is an effective way to upgrade your English vocabulary and communication skills.
When you use these words with the correct noun combinations, your speaking and writing become more accurate and natural.
Keep practicing these collocations in sentences, essays, and conversations to build confidence and fluency.
Consistent exposure and usage will help you sound more professional and native-like in English.
