How to use "they are significant"

What Does "they are significant" Mean?

• What it expresses: degree, importance, noteworthiness
• What part of the sentence it typically modifies: whole clause, noun phrase
• Register: neutral

How to Use It

• Typical sentence positions: final is the most natural, but also initial and mid-sentence are possible depending on the context.
• What it modifies and how it changes the meaning of a sentence: It modifies the preceding or following clause, emphasizing the importance or impact of the subject being discussed.
• Grammatical flexibility: It can be fronted for emphasis, used with adverbs like "very" or "quite," but generally not with negation unless modifying the "significant" part (e.g., "they are not significant"). Questions would typically rephrase the sentence.
• What sounds unnatural or incorrect: Using it in a way that breaks the flow of the sentence or disrupts the logical connection between ideas would sound unnatural.

Real-World Examples

These examples are sourced from they are significant on Ludwig.guru.

"Still, they are significant." — The New York Times

"Nevertheless they are significant players in militancy." — The Guardian

"Although Mr Li's stakes are small, they are significant." — The Economist

"The changes afoot may be patchy, but they are significant and accelerating." — The Economist

"The awards are not London's most prestigious – that belongs to the Oliviers – but they are significant and highly prized." — The Guardian

Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/they+are+significant

Similar Phrases and Alternatives

Phrase	Context
they are important	A more basic and common alternative.
they matter	Implies consequence or relevance.
they are noteworthy	Emphasizes deserving attention.
they count	Suggests they have an impact or influence.
they are considerable	Highlights the size or extent of their impact.
they are of consequence	More formal, emphasizing importance.
they carry weight	Suggests authority or influence.

Common Mistakes

• Incorrect word order can disrupt the meaning. For instance, placing "significant" before "are" is grammatically incorrect.
• Overusing the phrase in close proximity can make writing repetitive.
• Learners might confuse this with a fixed idiom if the context suggests a non-literal meaning, but without further context, it is a general statement of significance.

Quick-Reference Summary

Expression	Function	Register	Typical Position
they are significant	Indicates importance or noteworthiness	Neutral	Final, but also initial or mid-sentence

FAQs

Where does "they are significant" typically appear in a sentence?

They are significant most naturally appears at the end of a sentence or clause, providing a concluding assessment of importance. However, it can also appear at the beginning for emphasis or in the middle to connect two related ideas, depending on the desired flow and focus of the sentence.

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How does "they are significant" differ from saying "they are important"?

While both phrases convey a sense of value, "they are significant" often implies a deeper or more lasting impact than simply being important. "Significant" suggests a notable effect or consequence, whereas "important" can be a more general statement of value.

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How can I avoid misusing "they are significant" as an idiom when it's meant to be a literal statement?

Ensure the surrounding context clearly indicates that you are making a direct assessment of the subject's importance. Avoid using the phrase in situations where a more figurative or idiomatic expression might be expected; if there's any ambiguity, rephrase to make your literal meaning explicit. Remember that they are significant is a general statement of significance, not a fixed idiom without further context.