The English language uses a wide variety of grammatical structures and terminologies. Let us explore this specific topic in further detail with the aid of the word “important”.
The word “important” may be employed as an adjective, noun, or verb, depending on the situation, the word choice, the form, or where it comes in a sentence.
Now, let us take a closer look at this topic using some facts, concrete example sentences, and explanations.
When is “important” an adjective?
There are many scenarios wherein a word like “important” is used in many different grammatical forms. Let us take a look at one of them.
“Important” is regarded as an adjective when it is used in a way that it precedes a noun or is used as a qualifier for one and acts as a determiner too.
Example: This is an important piece of paper so make sure not to lose it.
Explanation: The word “important” has been placed as a descriptor before the noun ‘piece’. In this case the given adjective means; something that is of great value and significance. This meaning can minutely vary from context to contexts and we shall see glimpses of that in more examples.
Is “important” a descriptive adjective?
The adjective form has various sub-types that different words tend to function under. Let us look at one of them.
“Important” is a descriptive adjective since it describes the state of the noun it comes before or refers to it directly.
Example: This will be one of the most important decisions of your life so think soundly and long and hard about this.
Explanation: In the above written statement the adjective “important” is used to describe the noun ‘decisions’, therefore making it a descriptive adjective. This is because the term “important” gives the reader further information about the term ‘decisions’, therefore acting as its qualifier and determining the nouns quality as a word.
When is “important” a descriptive adjective?
The adjective “important” is regarded as a descriptive adjective when it aids in elaborating on the state or quality of the noun it is intended to describe.
Now let us examine a few more uses of the descriptor “important” that have also been discussed on the side to gain a better understanding of this.
| Examples | Explanations |
| 1. There is not a more important situation at hand than the one we are in right now so please leave everything else and begin to brainstorm some ideas. | The comparative form “more important” has been used to describe the noun ‘situation’. Over here the main adjective denotes that a certain situation holds higher value than another. |
| 2. He is the most important person at this part so make sure all his needs are tended to this evening. | The superlative form “most important” has been used to describe the noun ‘person’. In this example, the adjective denotes that the noun that is being described has the most significance within the narrative that has been put forth. |
| 3. I am emailing you some important information about the assignment so please read all of it carefully. | The adjective “important” is used to describe the noun ‘information’, therefore making it a descriptive adjective. The adjective over here, simplistically alludes to the valuable data that needs to be shared with the person in question. |
| 4. There is no task more important than cleaning out our house right now. | The comparative form “more important” has been used as a descriptive adjective in front of the noun ‘task’. Even though the said adjective has not been placed directly before the noun it is still used in reference to the noun, that is, it acts as a qualifying agent to given noun, thus keeping its form as a descriptive adjective |
| 5. The final draft is the most important one so please keep it safe in a pen-drive as we cannot afford to lose it. | The superlative form “most important” has been used as a descriptive adjective in front of the noun ‘one’. Over here the adjective is describing the nouns ‘final’ as well as ‘one’. The latter noun has been used as a substitute for the former one, thus making the adjective extend its determiner qualities to both those terms. |
| 6. Please excuse me as I need to take an important call from my boss. | In this written statement the term “important” has been used in front of the noun ‘call’, therefore making it an adjective. Once again, the adjective term denotes the high significance of the noun it is describing. |
| 7. I have to attend an important meeting first, so I will meet you at the coffee shop after that. | In the this given example, the term “important” has been used in front of the noun ‘meeting’, therefore making it an adjective. One last time, the adjective, true to its nature has denoted the value of the noun. |
Is “important” a noun?
The term “important” functions as a noun but only under a certain form. Let us look into what that is.
“Important” in and of itself cannot be used as a noun but it can be used as a noun in different grammatical form, which is; “importance”.
Example: The importance of this lecture is immense; therefore, I cannot miss it under any circumstances.
Explanation: A noun like “importance” is usually regarded as an abstract noun since it expands on the meaning of an intangible concept.
When is “important” a noun?
“Importance” is considered as a noun and is treated as one when it is used as a subject or object of a sentence, as most nouns are.
Let us take a look at some extra examples of “importance” being put to use as a noun that have also been explained in the next column as they provide a better understanding of this.
| Examples | Explanations |
| 1. It is of utmost importance that we get through this time of hardship for the sake of our entire group. | “Importance” here has been used as the subject of the given sentence which automatically makes it a noun. |
| 2. The importance of this book dawned on me when I was in a situation similar to the one the protagonist goes through. | In this particular instance, the word “importance” has been used as the object of the sentence, making it a noun. |
| 3. The teacher gave his students a lecture on the importance of education | The noun “importance” denotes an idea rather than a thing or object, making it an abstract noun, but a noun nonetheless. |
| 4. We must gauge the importance of a situation based on how pressing the issue at hand seems to be. | The abstract noun “importance” over here has been put to use as an object of the written sentence. |
| 5. The importance of this course has been explained in the brochure so just take a look and let us know if anybody has any questions. | The term “importance” in this sentence can be seen as a noun, specifically an uncountable noun. |
Conclusion
Thus, it can be concluded that as long as terms like “important” are put to use appropriately according to what grammatical function a statement calls for, they can quite possibly function as adjectives, nouns and even verbs.
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