Site icon Hot Pepper Communications

Why “it’s important to note” is redundant

I was recently editing a large document for a client, and I encountered the phrase “it’s important to note”.

I’ve seen this phrase several times over the years, and it’s nearly always unnecessary. Take the following examples I found:

If you’re making the point, that means it’s important. So there’s no need to tell people it’s important. The reader will assume it’s important merely by the fact that it’s present in the text.

Each of the above examples can easily be rewritten without losing any of the meaning.

Actually, on that note, using “it’s important to”—even without the note—can also be redundant. Here are some more examples.

And like the previous examples, these, too, can be rewritten without losing meaning:

When you’re writing, you should be including only important points, so telling your reader that the points are important just wastes your readers’ time.

So if you’re tempted to use important while you’re writing—or any of its equally problematic synonyms, such as importantly, interestingly, please note, it should be pointed out, and it is important to keep in mind—then try to remember to catch it early. And cut it out.

Exit mobile version