ENGLISH
REFERENCE

the important thing

fixed phr..
A2 Elementary Oxford

fixed phr.. you use this to point out the most necessary or meaningful part of a situation.

fixed phr.. a pragmatic marker used to introduce a focal point or to prioritize a specific piece of information within a discourse.


SIMPLE

The important thing is that you are safe.

CONTEXTUAL

We lost the game, but the important thing is that we all had fun together.

COMPLEX

While the technical details are fascinating, the important thing remains the project's ability to provide clean water to the local community.

Usage

usually followed by 'is' and a 'that' clause or an infinitive phrase.

Teaching tip

this phrase acts as a 'signpost' to help listeners identify the speaker's main priority; it is often used to offer comfort or refocus a conversation.

Pitfall

The important thing it is to try.The important thing is to try.do not add an extra 'it' before the verb 'is' because 'the important thing' is already the subject.

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