What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
vital
Example
Water is vital for human survival. [vital: adjective]
Example
The timely completion of this report is vital to the success of the project. [vital: adjective]
important
Example
It's important to get enough sleep every night. [important: adjective]
Example
The CEO stressed the importance of meeting the sales targets. [importance: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Important is more commonly used than vital in everyday language. Important is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while vital is less common and is typically used in more urgent or critical situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between vital and important?
Both vital and important can be used in formal and informal contexts, but vital is often associated with a more serious and urgent tone, making it more suitable for formal situations.
