a key attribute of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a key attribute of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing an important characteristic or feature of something, often in analytical or descriptive contexts. Example: "One key attribute of successful leaders is their ability to communicate effectively."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Lots of them now offer courses on ethics, surely a key attribute of professionalism.

The Economist

"Elegance was a key attribute of the courtly natural philosopher".

BBC

As such, consistency is a key attribute of coding.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

A key attribute of many successful independent evaluations is a curated data set.

Image and Vision Computing

Robustness is a key attribute of spread spectrum (SS) watermarking scheme.

Pattern Recognition Letters

Evidence suggests that SoA might contribute towards higher-order feelings of personal control – a key attribute of powerful individuals.

Consciousness and Cognition

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

The intent is to provide a pragmatic help for OHIP score interpretation – a key attribute for quality of life measures [ 29] and one of the most important steps to make OHRQoL findings clinically relevant.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Fish size appeared to be a key attribute for the distribution of species across gradients of Ū and macro-epibenthic change.

Continental Shelf Research

A key attribute for any measure of quality and safety is that it should be able to describe opportunities for improvement.

BMJ Quality and Safety

This is shown in Fig. 2: the student has modelled 'Isbn' as a simple attribute instead of a key attribute so the prompt is asking about the basics of simple attributes.

Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning

Payments, he said, will be "a key attribute to getting value out of those mobile web apps".

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a key attribute of", ensure that the attribute you are describing is genuinely essential and not merely a desirable but non-critical feature. Be specific in explaining why the attribute is key.

Common error

Avoid using "a key attribute of" to describe minor or insignificant characteristics. This weakens the impact of the phrase and can mislead your audience. Instead, reserve it for truly defining features.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a key attribute of" functions as a determiner phrase that modifies a noun, specifying that the attribute being described is essential or vital. This usage is supported by numerous examples provided by Ludwig, indicating its widespread acceptance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

22%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a key attribute of" is a widely used and grammatically sound way to highlight the essential characteristics of something. As demonstrated by Ludwig, this phrase appears frequently in science, news, and media sources, indicating its versatility and broad applicability. When using this phrase, make sure the attribute you're describing is indeed vital to avoid overstating its importance. You can also consider alternatives like "a primary characteristic of" or "a crucial feature of" to add nuance to your writing. Remember to focus on clarity and precision, ensuring your audience understands why the specified attribute is truly key.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a primary characteristic of

Replaces "attribute" with "characteristic", emphasizing a distinctive feature.

a crucial feature of

Replaces "attribute" with "feature", stressing a significant aspect.

a fundamental aspect of

Substitutes "key" with "fundamental", stressing the underlying importance.

a vital aspect of

Substitutes "attribute" with "aspect", focusing on a particular part or feature.

a major characteristic of

Replaces "key" with "major", indicating significant importance.

an essential element of

Uses "element" instead of "attribute", highlighting a necessary component.

a defining trait of

Replaces "attribute" with "trait", focusing on a distinguishing feature.

a significant property of

Employs "property" instead of "attribute", indicating a quality or trait.

a notable quality of

Substitutes "attribute" with "quality", emphasizing a distinctive characteristic.

a central component of

Uses "component" instead of "attribute", highlighting an integral part.

FAQs

How can I use "a key attribute of" in a sentence?

Use "a key attribute of" to highlight an essential characteristic or feature. For example, "A key attribute of effective leadership is clear communication."

What can I say instead of "a key attribute of"?

You can use alternatives like "a primary characteristic of", "a crucial feature of", or "an essential element of" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a key attribute of" or "the key attribute of"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "a key attribute of" is used when you're discussing one of several key attributes. "The key attribute of" suggests there's only one most important attribute.

What's the difference between "a key attribute of" and "a common attribute of"?

"A key attribute of" emphasizes importance and essentialness, while "a common attribute of" simply indicates that something is frequently observed or shared. The key is about importance rather than frequency.