a key device

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a key device" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an important tool or mechanism that plays a significant role in a particular context or situation. Example: "In the development of the new software, a key device was the integration of machine learning algorithms to enhance user experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

"And it then became a key device in the production, and indeed in how the audience understands it".

The Guardian

A failure of a key device on the car-sized rover's jaunt through the red desert of Gale Crater, its landing site, could have devastating consequences, they acknowledge.

The Guardian

This novel, with its reliance on literary parody, was a turning point: serious use of parody thereafter became a key device in Nabokov's art.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Metaphor is a key device for suggesting worth (a reciter might call himself a ferocious animal), and poetic license is granted for coining new words.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Optical modulators (OMs) are a key device in modern optical systems.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Polyethylene-based microporous membrane separators are a key device for lithium-ion secondary batteries (LIBs).

Encyclopedia of Electrochemical Power Sources

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Consider purchasing a hide-a-key device, which is a small box with a powerful magnet that attaches to the bottom on your vehicle frame.

WikiHow

Leave a copy of your key with a neighbor, or discuss hiding it somewhere on their property, rather than leaving an obvious hide-a-key device with your key next to the door.

WikiHow

A comparative analysis of key device parameters is discussed for the Triple Material Gate (TMG), Dual Material Gate (DMG) and the Single Material Gate (SMG) structure HEMTs by considering the same device dimensions.

Superlattices and Microstructures

Raman spectroscopy and optical contrast are used to determine the number of graphene layers as well as their stacking order (see Table 1 and Supporting Information for a summary of the key device parameters).

ACS Nano

A systematic, quantitative investigation of key device metrics for DMG DG device is presented and a comparison with SMG DG device is done for a wide range of gate and underlap lengths.

Superlattices and Microstructures

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a key device", ensure the context clearly indicates the device's specific function and importance within the system or process being described.

Common error

Avoid using "a key device" when the device's role is only minor or peripheral; this can mislead readers about its actual significance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a key device" functions as a noun phrase that identifies an important instrument or tool. Ludwig AI shows its use in diverse contexts, underlining its descriptive capability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a key device" is a noun phrase used to emphasize the importance of a particular device. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts, particularly in scientific and technical writing. Its register varies, ranging from formal and scientific to neutral, depending on the source. When using this phrase, ensure that the device's significance is clearly established within the given context, and consider alternatives such as "an essential mechanism" or "a crucial tool" for nuanced meaning. Overstating the device's importance should be avoided to maintain accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an essential mechanism

Emphasizes the necessity and function as a mechanism.

a crucial tool

Highlights the importance of the device as a tool.

a vital instrument

Stresses the importance and precision of the device.

an important apparatus

Focuses on the significance of the device as a piece of equipment.

a central component

Highlights its role as a necessary part of a system.

a principal element

Emphasizes the fundamental role of the device.

a significant contrivance

Highlights the ingenuity and importance of the device.

a critical apparatus

Emphasizes the decisive role of the apparatus.

an integral gadget

Shows the device is an indispensable gadget.

a foundational instrument

Stresses the fundamental role of the device as an instrument.

FAQs

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

Use "a key device" to highlight an important tool or mechanism that plays a critical role in a system or process. For example, "The microchip is "a key device" in modern electronics."

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

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

Which is the correct way to describe a gadget, "a key device" or "a main device"?

"A key device" emphasizes importance and necessity, while "a main device" simply suggests centrality or frequency of use. Choose based on the intended emphasis.

What's the difference between "a key device" and "a central device"?

"A key device" implies that the device is essential for a particular function or system to work, whereas "a central device" simply suggests that it is located in the center or is a focal point.