a key linchpin

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a key linchpin" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the importance of a person or thing that plays a crucial role in a situation or system. Example: "In our project, Sarah is a key linchpin, ensuring that all team members are aligned and working towards the same goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In the strange web of interconnected shareholding that defines Korean chaebol conglomerate structure, the proposed merger of Cheil with C&T is considered by analysts a key linchpin for the Lee family to effectively gain leverage over Samsung Electronics.

TechCrunch

Those numbers are all important because SpaceX is planning Falcon Heavy as a key linchpin in its Mars plan, setting the stage for a system that can ferry goods and people between Earth and the red planet.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

As a close Saudi ally and key linchpin of the U.S./Israel/Saudi Arabia axis, the future of the Hashemite kingdom is a central consideration for the Saudi authorities.

Huffington Post

This is going to be, to me, the key linchpin of whether or not organizations survive and succeed.

Cornell University

"In the global slowdown, China's domestic market is the key linchpin," says Yuwa Hedrick-Wong, economic adviser for MasterCard Worldwide.

Forbes

As Devin described on TechCrunch in an overview earlier this year, the technology, which has been around for decades, has become one of the key linchpins to successfully building L4 and L5 fully-autonomous vehicles.

TechCrunch

Black Widow will play a "key part that's a linchpin to future films" in next year's The Avengers: Age of Ultron, after she first debuted in 2010's Iron Man 2. As for Hulk, Feige was keen to assure fans that the iconic green humanoid is not "absent from the timeline".

Independent

Payers serve as the linchpin for market access; a key bridge between drug/diagnostic development and clinical adoption.

Nature

Like Joyce, the Book of Kells is a linchpin of Irish identity and thus a key element in the political matrix of its nationhood.

The New Yorker

Agriculture remains the linchpin of the Haitian economy, employing 60percentt of the workforce, and the United States has targeted the sector as a key to stimulating economic growth and development nationwide.

Huffington Post

To become a linchpin, a worker must seek opportunities to do more than what is assigned.

Duke University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a key linchpin" to underscore the irreplaceable and vital nature of a component within a complex system. It suggests that removing it would cause the entire system to fail.

Common error

Avoid using "a key linchpin" in simple situations where the importance isn't paramount. Simpler terms like "important aspect" or "crucial element" are more appropriate for less critical contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a key linchpin" functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or object complement. It identifies or describes something of critical importance. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a key linchpin" is used to emphasize the critical and irreplaceable role of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While it appears across diverse contexts, its use is relatively rare. When using "a key linchpin", ensure the context warrants such emphasis, as simpler alternatives may be more appropriate in less crucial situations. While it is grammatically sound, be aware of possible stylistic issues from the inherent redundancy, as "linchpin" itself indicates central importance. Consider alternatives like "a critical component" or "a vital element" to broaden your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a critical component

Replaces "linchpin" with a more general term for an essential element.

a vital element

Substitutes "key linchpin" with a phrase emphasizing necessity.

a central figure

Focuses on a person as the essential element.

an essential factor

Highlights the importance of something contributing to a result.

a crucial aspect

Emphasizes importance as a part of a bigger picture.

an integral part

Highlights the inseparability and necessity of something.

a cornerstone

Implies fundamental support, similar to "linchpin".

a backbone

Suggests structural support and essential function.

a keystone

Similar to cornerstone, referring to a crucial element.

a pivotal point

Highlights the point of central importance.

FAQs

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

You can use "a key linchpin" to describe something essential for success. For instance, "Effective communication is "a key linchpin" for any successful project".

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

You can use alternatives like "a critical component", "a vital element", or "an essential factor" depending on the context.

Is "a key linchpin" redundant?

While "linchpin" already implies importance, "key" emphasizes the critical nature, and is acceptable, however, be aware that the repetition of meaning can be stylistically awkward in certain contexts.

What's the difference between "a key linchpin" and "a cornerstone"?

"A cornerstone" refers to something fundamental on which everything else is built. "A key linchpin", while also essential, often implies a more active role in holding other parts together. Both are important, but their roles differ subtly.