Vital

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Vital" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is essential or of utmost importance. Example: "Water is vital for all forms of life on Earth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Migrants who have permission to be in the UK are avoiding seeking vital medical treatment for fear of being arrested, a charity has warned.

The Guardian

"If you want to stop Ed Miliband and the SNP from getting into power and wrecking our economy... and if you want me back on work on Friday working through our long-term economic plan as your prime minister then it is vital that you vote Conservative," Cameron said.

The Guardian

"It is in our vital national interest that we avoid the fatal mistake that would be a no vote if a referendum is held in the next few years".

The Guardian

Better contact-tracing is vital to end the epidemic altogether.

The Guardian

We are now consulting regarding potential legal action and hoping against hope that the 12 libraries being thrown over to the community with the threat of volunteer-or-lose-it, will survive long enough for the future council members to realise their costly error and resume running this vital social and educational service.

The Guardian - Books

This stability is vital in attracting the business and international investment that delivers growth and jobs, and which keeps long-term interest rates low.

The Guardian - Opinion

There are only 110 beds in Freetown for Ebola patients and with the disease out of control in the capital, with almost 1,000 cases already confirmed, it is vital the unit's opening is not delayed.

The Guardian

"The current economic climate is very challenging for new house building in the short-term, but zero carbon homes, sustainable transport, a robust local economy and access to green space are all vital ingredients of new places fit for the 21st century.

The Guardian

We feel our participation in government is absolutely vital and that we are playing a very significant role.

The Guardian

Anthony Marra's debut novel A Constellation of Vital Phenomena (Hogarth) is set in war-torn Chechnya.

The Guardian - Books

Here Schürrle had a secondary role too, his acceleration and willingness to run behind Arsenal's high defensive line a vital quality in the absence of a genuinely pacy centre-forward.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "vital", consider the specific nuance you want to convey. "Essential" may be more appropriate for fundamental needs, while "crucial" emphasizes a decisive moment.

Common error

Avoid using "vital" in phrases where the importance is already implied, such as "vital necessity". Choose either "vital" or "necessity" for a more concise expression.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "vital" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something as essential, necessary, or of utmost importance. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in diverse contexts, signifying its versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "vital" functions as an adjective denoting something essential or necessary. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news, media, and formal business contexts. While versatile, it's important to avoid redundancy and consider nuances when choosing synonyms like ""essential"" or ""crucial"". Its high frequency and authoritative source usage underscore its relevance in formal communication, marking it as a reliable term to emphasize importance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Essential

Focuses on the fundamental and indispensable nature of something.

Crucial

Highlights a decisive or critical importance.

Indispensable

Emphasizes that something is absolutely necessary and cannot be done without.

Necessary

Indicates something is required or needed.

Critical

Stresses a turning point or a precarious situation where something is extremely important.

Fundamental

Highlights the basic and essential nature of something, forming a necessary base.

Key

Suggests something is of utmost importance in achieving a particular result or outcome.

Significant

Emphasizes the importance or consequence of something.

Paramount

Implies supreme importance or dominance over other factors.

Imperative

Stresses the urgent and compulsory nature of something.

FAQs

How can I use "vital" in a sentence?

"Vital" can be used to describe something that is essential or necessary. For example, "Water is "vital" for all living things" or "Education is "vital" for success".

What words can I use instead of "vital"?

You can use alternatives like "essential", "crucial", or "indispensable" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "vitally important"?

While "vitally important" isn't grammatically incorrect, it can be redundant. Using just ""vital"" often conveys the same meaning more concisely.

What is the difference between "vital" and "essential"?

Both words indicate importance, but ""vital"" often implies something is necessary for life or continued existence, while ""essential"" indicates something is fundamentally important but not necessarily life-sustaining.