a critical device

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a critical device" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an essential tool or mechanism that plays a significant role in a particular context, such as literature, technology, or analysis. Example: "In her analysis of the novel, she identified irony as a critical device that enhances the theme of deception."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

She had no interest in the first person as a critical device, and that avoidance of the personal pronoun is part of what could make her negative reviews feel so lacerating.

The New Yorker

NASA's long-planned mission to rescue the aging Hubble Space Telescope will be delayed by months due to the failure of a critical device onboard the observatory, NASA science chief Edward Weiler told reporters yesterday.

Science Magazine

Bias temperature instability has impacted scaling of conventional poly-Si/SiON CMOS technologies and remains a critical device reliability mechanism for metal gate/high-k stacks in planar and FinFET device architecture.

Microelectronics Reliability

Indeed, it could be a critical device for cities like Cape Town, where water reservoirs recently went completely dry.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

With the evolution of sub-20 nm FinFET technology, line edge roughness (LER) has been identified as a critical problem and may result in critical device parameter variation and performance limitation in the future VLSI circuit application.

Superlattices and Microstructures

Details of G.M.'s decision-making process almost 20 years ago, which has not been reported previously, suggest that a quest for savings of just a few dollars per airbag compromised a critical safety device, resulting in passenger deaths.

The New York Times

Tasks include adding a new primary camera, replacing the telescope's electricity-generating solar arrays, replacing the main power switching controller, replacing a critical pointing device and installing an experimental cooling system in hopes of reviving a dormant instrument.

The New York Times - Science

In a 1997 brief, the agency's chief lawyer wrote that "even the most thorough regulation of a product such as a critical medical device may fail to identify potential problems".

The New York Times

A former worker on the Deepwater Horizon oil rig testified Monday that he had used an abnormal way of testing a critical emergency device that failed on the day of the explosion.

The New York Times

Earlier in the day at an investigative hearing in Kenner, La., a BP official testified that in the final days before the disaster, the company continued drilling for oil despite internal reports of a leak on a critical safety device on the rig.

The New York Times

It finally did, thanks all those caps and domes and junk shots and robots — and what one could call the most critical device: public rage.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the importance of something technical or abstract, use "a critical device" to emphasize its necessity and indispensable role.

Common error

Avoid using "a critical device" in casual conversation or informal writing. The phrase carries a level of formality that may sound out of place in relaxed settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a critical device" functions as a noun phrase, where "critical" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "device". It identifies a specific tool or mechanism that is essential or indispensable. The Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a critical device" is used to denote an essential tool or mechanism. It is grammatically correct and suitable for formal or technical contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig. While alternatives exist, such as "an essential instrument" or "a vital mechanism", "a critical device" effectively emphasizes the importance and necessity of the item being described. It’s common in news, media and scientific writings. Remember to use this phrase when you need to highlight the indispensable role of something, but avoid it in casual conversation where simpler terms might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an essential instrument

Replaces "critical" with "essential" and "device" with "instrument", focusing on the necessity of the tool.

a vital mechanism

Substitutes "critical" with "vital" and "device" with "mechanism", emphasizing the life-sustaining or crucial nature of the component.

a key component

Emphasizes the role of the device as a fundamental part of a system or process.

a crucial tool

Highlights the importance of the device as a necessary means to achieve a specific goal.

an indispensable apparatus

Replaces "critical" with "indispensable" and "device" with "apparatus", stressing the irreplaceable nature of the tool.

a necessary gadget

Substitutes "critical" with "necessary" and "device" with "gadget", focusing on the required nature of the item.

a fundamental implement

Emphasizes the role of the device as a basic and essential tool for a task.

a central element

Highlights the device's significance as a core aspect within a larger system.

a significant contrivance

Replaces "critical" with "significant" and "device" with "contrivance", focusing on the important and cleverly designed nature of the device.

a pivotal instrument

Substitutes "critical" with "pivotal", emphasizing the device's role in influencing or determining an outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "a critical device" in a sentence?

Use "a critical device" to describe a tool, instrument, or mechanism that is essential for a specific purpose or operation. For example: "The sensor acted as "a critical device" in monitoring the patient's vital signs."

What are some alternatives to "a critical device"?

You can use alternatives like "an essential instrument", "a vital mechanism", or "a key component" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a critical device" in everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, "a critical device" is more suitable for formal or technical contexts. In everyday conversation, simpler terms might be more appropriate.

What makes something "a critical device"?

A "critical device" is something deemed essential because its failure or absence would significantly impair or halt a process, operation, or system.