a key plank for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a key plank for" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe an essential component or element of a plan, strategy, or argument. Example: "The proposed tax reform is a key plank for the government's economic strategy moving forward."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Other parts of the strategy will streamline the teacher recruitment process, but a key plank for retention is to tackle the workload burden that has been a consistent complaint among teachers.

The Guardian

The "free silver" movement, a key plank for the party in 1896 and 1900, was popular among indebted Western farmers who felt that inflation would help them repay their debts.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Integrating health services and local authority-provided social care alongside voluntary services has become an increasing priority for the NHS, and is now a key plank of planning for health providers.

The Guardian

Shale gas is no more than a long-term possibility for the UK and should not be a key plank of energy policy for the next decade, one of the most senior Liberal Democrats in the cabinet has warned.

The Guardian

The idea that poor countries should switch from production for local consumption to food for export as a means to growth has been a key plank of aid policy for the international financial institutions.

The Guardian

While Vince Cable and Chris Huhne have chosen to hide their LVT credentials since joining the government, Andy Burnham has made it a key plank of his vision for future Labour party policy.

The Guardian - Opinion

When Congress wanted to understand how far deficit reduction would bring bond yields down, it demanded an answer from Greenspan, and his answer duly became a key plank of the case for moving towards budget balance.

The Guardian - Business

Under Labour's proposals – a key plank of its manifesto for government – the minimum wage would increase from 54% to 58% of median earnings by 2020 and then 60% in the following parliament.

The Guardian

Under Labour's proposals, a "key plank of its manifesto for government", the minimum wage would go from 54percentto58percentcent of that figure by 2020 and 60 percent five years later.

Vice

Kure Beach, North Carolina, doesn't seem a likely place to call itself "ground zero" for a key plank of Barack Obama's presidential legacy.

The Guardian

Today I want to start by telling you about how my party is going make discipline in our schools a key plank of our education policy for the next general election.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a key plank for", ensure the context clearly identifies what the plank supports. For example, "A strong educational system is "a key plank for" a thriving economy."

Common error

Avoid using "a key plank for" to describe minor details or insignificant aspects. This phrase should be reserved for elements that are truly essential and foundational to the overall plan or strategy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a key plank for" functions as a modifier that highlights the importance of a specific element in relation to a larger goal or strategy. As Ludwig AI confirms, it identifies something as an essential component. It connects a particular action, policy, or idea to its intended purpose or outcome.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a key plank for" is a useful tool for highlighting the essential nature of a component within a larger strategy or plan. As Ludwig AI explains, it's grammatically correct and signals that something is fundamentally necessary for success. While it is suitable for use in neutral contexts like news and media, be mindful of its frequency and consider using related phrases like "an essential component of" to avoid repetition. Ensure that when using this phrase, the connection between the "plank" and the objective it supports is clear and substantial.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an essential component of

Replaces "key plank" with a more general term for an important element.

a crucial element in

Substitutes "key plank" with a slightly stronger emphasis on importance.

a fundamental aspect of

Replaces "key plank" with a term highlighting the foundational nature.

a vital part of

Emphasizes the life-or-death importance of the element.

an integral feature of

Highlights the interconnectedness of the element within the whole.

a cornerstone of

Uses a metaphor of a foundational building block.

a central tenet of

More appropriate when discussing beliefs or principles.

a critical factor in

Highlights the element's impact on the outcome.

an important consideration for

Focuses on the element's role in decision-making.

a significant element of

A more neutral and less emphatic alternative.

FAQs

How can I use "a key plank for" in a sentence?

Use "a key plank for" to describe a fundamental element or component of a strategy, plan, or argument. For example: "Investment in renewable energy is "a key plank for" achieving sustainability goals."

What can I say instead of "a key plank for"?

You can use alternatives like "an essential component of", "a crucial element in", or "a fundamental aspect of" depending on the context.

Is "a key plank for" too cliché for formal writing?

While "a key plank for" is a common phrase, it's acceptable in formal writing as long as it accurately and effectively conveys the importance of the element being described. If you're concerned about sounding repetitive, consider using one of the "alternatives".

What's the difference between "a key plank of" and "a key plank for"?

"A key plank of" refers to a part of something, while "a key plank for" indicates that something is essential or foundational to achieving a particular goal or outcome. For instance, "a key plank of the platform" vs. "a key plank for future success".