a critical source of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a critical source of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that is essential or vital for a particular purpose or outcome. Example: "The research provided a critical source of information for understanding climate change impacts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The property tax is a critical source of revenue for the city.

The New York Times

Television production is expensive, and stations say retransmission deals create a critical source of revenue.

The New York Times

With the pipeline open, a critical source of oil is flowing again to the global market.

The New York Times

The Diamond Mountain tour had been a critical source of hard currency for the North.

The New York Times

Too much control can be a bad thing, particularly when innovation is a critical source of competitive advantage.

The New York Times

The loan market, although it receives little publicity, is a critical source of financing for corporate borrowers of all stripes.

The New York Times

Canadian and other foreign banks have been a critical source of capital for United States lenders since the financial crisis.

The New York Times

"Meanwhile, our drought-parched public lands are deprived of a critical source of water that is instead being bottled for profit".

The Guardian

Climate change may contribute to the decline of the white bark pine nut, a critical source of food, as it has for the Yellowstone grizzlies.

The New York Times - Science

And the pipelines are a critical source of revenue for the economic development of newly independent states in Central Asia and the Caucasus.

The New York Times

Mr. Frank said the companies' investment portfolios, which are lucrative in normal times, were a critical source of funding for things like the affordable housing fund.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a critical source of", ensure that the noun following "of" clearly indicates what is being sourced. For instance, specify "a critical source of funding", "information", or "support" for better clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a critical source of" when a simpler phrase like "essential for" or "vital to" would suffice. Redundancy can weaken your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a critical source of" functions as a noun phrase that identifies something as an essential or indispensable provider. Ludwig confirms its wide applicability in various contexts, emphasizing its role in denoting fundamental support or origin.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a critical source of" is a versatile phrase used to emphasize the essential nature of a particular source. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across diverse contexts like news, science, and business. While highly useful, it’s important to avoid redundancy and ensure clarity by specifying what exactly is being sourced. Alternatives such as "a vital resource for" or "an essential origin of" can be used to add variety to your writing. By following these guidelines, you can effectively leverage "a critical source of" to enhance your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a vital resource for

Replaces "source" with "resource" and "critical" with "vital", emphasizing the importance and helpfulness of the source.

an essential origin of

Uses "origin" instead of "source" and "essential" instead of "critical", highlighting the foundational nature of the source.

a key contributor to

Shifts the focus to the contribution the source makes, rather than its mere existence.

a primary driver of

Emphasizes the source's role in driving or causing something.

a fundamental component of

Highlights that the source is a basic and necessary part of something.

an indispensable element in

Stresses that the source is absolutely necessary.

a crucial foundation for

Focuses on the source providing a base or groundwork for something else.

a significant provider of

Highlights the act of providing something important.

a major wellspring of

Replaces "source" with "wellspring", suggesting an abundant and continuous supply.

a lifeline for

Implies the source is essential for survival or continued operation.

FAQs

How can I use "a critical source of" in a sentence?

Use "a critical source of" to describe something essential or vital. For example: "For many species, wetlands are "a critical source of" food and shelter".

What can I say instead of "a critical source of"?

You can use alternatives like "a vital resource for", "an essential origin of", or "a key contributor to" depending on the context.

Is it okay to use "critical" when describing a source?

Yes, using "critical" emphasizes the importance and necessity of the source. The phrase ""a critical source of"" is correct and widely understood in formal and informal contexts.

What's the difference between "a critical source of" and "an important source of"?

While both phrases indicate significance, ""a critical source of"" suggests that the source is essential or indispensable, while "an important source of" simply implies that it is significant.