Essential element

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Essential element" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a fundamental or necessary part of something, often in discussions about components or features. Example: "Trust is an essential element in any successful relationship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Even here, art is an essential element.

The New York Times - Travel

Is art an essential element?

Princeton University

So that's another essential element I'm exploring.

The New Yorker

Confidence is cool's most essential element.

The Washington Post

"It is an essential element of our heritage".

The New York Times - Food

Nurses are an essential element of our health care system.

The New York Times

This was an essential element of the Leveson Report.

The Guardian

Listening, she implied, is an essential element of speech.

The New Yorker

This painting is an essential element in the show.

The New York Times - Arts

The audience could tell that an essential element was missing.

The New Yorker

Sulfur is a ubiquitous and essential element for plants70.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Essential element" to emphasize the critical importance of a specific component or aspect within a larger context. This phrase effectively communicates that something is indispensable and fundamental to the subject being discussed.

Common error

Avoid using "Essential element" in situations where simpler terms like "important" or "necessary" would suffice. Overusing this phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "essential element" primarily functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It serves to identify or describe something that is fundamentally necessary or indispensable. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "essential element" is a widely used and grammatically sound expression for highlighting indispensable components across various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. As shown by the examples, it is frequently used in news, science, and academic writing to emphasize critical aspects. Alternatives such as "key component" or "fundamental aspect" can be used for variety. When writing, use "Essential element" to stress necessity, but avoid overuse in simple contexts to maintain clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Key component

Focuses on the part that constitutes the whole, changing the emphasis from necessity to composition.

Fundamental aspect

Highlights the foundational nature, shifting from essential to basic and underlying.

Crucial factor

Emphasizes the importance of influence and decisive role.

Vital ingredient

Uses a metaphor of a recipe, implying a required part to achieve the intended result.

Core element

Highlights the centrality and importance, suggesting something at the very heart of the matter.

Necessary feature

Focuses on a required attribute, changing the emphasis to a characteristic.

Integral part

Indicates that something is indispensable for completeness.

Indispensable attribute

Underlines necessity and ineliminability.

Significant component

Highlights the importance of a contributing element, moving from essential to considerable.

Critical piece

Implies a pivotal role in a larger puzzle or operation.

FAQs

How can I use "Essential element" in a sentence?

The phrase "Essential element" is used to describe a component that is absolutely necessary or fundamental. For example, "Trust is an essential element of any successful relationship."

What phrases can I use instead of "Essential element"?

You can use alternatives like "key component", "fundamental aspect", or "crucial factor" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "essential element" or "important factor"?

While both phrases convey significance, "essential element" suggests something is indispensable and absolutely necessary, whereas "important factor" simply indicates something that is of considerable value or influence.

What's the difference between "essential element" and "integral part"?

"Essential element" highlights a necessity, while "integral part" emphasizes completeness. You might say "Communication is an essential element of a good relationship" to mean it's needed; or "Communication is an integral part of a good relationship" to emphasize it makes it complete.