The Import of Important and Importantly

 

          What is the difference between the words “important” and “importantly”? No one seems to know anymore, and everything is “more importantly” this or that, and not “more important” than that or this. The difference is that “important” is an adjective, and “importantly” is an adverb. Adjectives modify substantives, that is, nouns or pronouns: “He was an important person.” Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs: “He spoke more importantly than was necessary.” “It was not important that he speak more importantly.”

important |imˈpôrtnt|

adjective

of great significance or value; likely to have a profound effect on success, survival, or well-being : important habitats for wildlife | it is important to avoid monosyllabic answers | [ sentence adverb ] the speech had passion and, more important, compassion.

• (of a person) having high rank or status.

• (of an artist or artistic work) significantly original and influential.

ORIGIN late Middle English : from medieval Latin important- ‘being of consequence,’ from the verb importare (see import).

 

importantly |imˈpôrtnt-lē|

adverb

1 [ sentence adverb ] used to emphasize a significant point or matter: a nondrinking, nonsmoking, and, importantly, nonpolitical sportsman.

2 in a manner designed to draw attention to one's importance: Kruger strutted forward importantly.

         If we are going to keep both words, we ought to distinguish between their usages. Otherwise, it’s important that we just dump one or, perhaps more importantly, the other.