Do we say "something is of the second/third importance"?

[thincat]

Hello, everyone!
I know that in English, especially in formal situation, we can say "something is of the utmost importance." But, if I would like to arrange three items in descending order with reference to their degree of importance, can I say that the second the the third item are of "the second/third importance"? If not, what is the correct expression to be used?

Thank you very much!

 

[Grumpy]

You could refer to them, respectively, as being of "secondary" and then "tertiary" importance - but that would be extremely formal, even pompous. More common, in grading 3 items, would be to say "A is most important, followed by B, and then C".

 

[Barb_D]

I don't think "secondary" sounds pompous. I confess that I use "tertiary" myself, though not many do. But while someone might roll their eyes over "tertiary" I don't think they do over "secondary."