a key supplier

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a key supplier" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an important or essential supplier in a business context. Example: "Our company relies on a key supplier for the majority of our raw materials, ensuring a steady production flow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

China, a key supplier of savings, is aging too.

The Economist

Russia, a key supplier to Iran, helps out.

The New York Times - Books

ADM is also a key supplier of soy to Wilmar.

The Guardian

It is a key supplier to Boeing Company's military aircraft programs.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Niger is a key supplier of uranium for the nuclear power plants of France.

Columbia University

Apple's positive results overnight should have given a lift to a key supplier like Arm.

The Guardian - Business

Analysts at Liberum, long time sellers of Arm, said: Dialog which is a key supplier to Apple has warned.

The Guardian - Business

Afghanistan is the world's largest producer of opium and a key supplier to international crime and drug syndicates.

The New York Times

It has become a key supplier to Apple and its technology is effectively the brains behind the iPhone.

The Guardian - Business

In return, Africa has become a key supplier of oil, providing nearly a third of Chinese crude oil imports.

The Guardian

Huawei's fortunes in the UK, where it is a key supplier to BT, are the reverse of the US.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a key supplier", ensure that the context clearly establishes the importance of the supplier to the overall operation or project. This helps to emphasize the significance of their role.

Common error

Avoid labeling every supplier as "a key supplier". Reserve this term for those whose absence would significantly impact your operations. Overusing the phrase dilutes its impact and can make your claims seem less credible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a key supplier" functions as a noun phrase, where 'key' modifies 'supplier' to indicate its importance. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

3%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a key supplier" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to emphasize the importance of a supplier. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's suitable for diverse contexts, particularly in business, news, and encyclopedic writing. When employing this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the supplier's critical role to avoid diluting its impact. Alternatives like ""a major provider"" or ""an essential vendor"" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Be mindful of overusing the phrase to maintain its significance in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a major provider

Focuses on the scale or volume of supply, emphasizing the provider's significance in meeting a demand.

a principal source

Highlights the origin or derivation of the supply, useful when emphasizing where something comes from.

an essential vendor

Stresses the necessity of the supplier for the continuation of a process or business function.

a crucial resource

Emphasizes the importance of the supply as a vital asset or component.

a critical vendor

Similar to "essential vendor" but may imply a higher level of risk if the vendor relationship is disrupted.

a leading distributor

Highlights the supplier's role in the distribution network, emphasizing their market position.

a prime contractor

Indicates a supplier who has a direct contract with the end client, often used in construction or government contexts.

a strategic partner

Highlights a long-term, collaborative relationship with the supplier, focusing on mutual benefit.

an important source

A more general term that emphasizes the source's significance but not necessarily its scale or exclusivity.

a significant contributor

Focuses on the impact of the supplier's contribution to a larger outcome or process.

FAQs

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

You can use "a key supplier" to highlight the importance of a particular supplier to your business. For instance, "Our company relies on "a key supplier" for the majority of our raw materials".

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "a key supplier"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a major provider", "a principal source", or "an essential vendor".

Is it appropriate to refer to multiple suppliers as "a key supplier"?

While technically grammatically correct, referring to multiple suppliers as "a key supplier" may dilute the emphasis on their individual importance. Consider reserving the term for the most crucial suppliers or using alternatives like "important suppliers" for the others.

What distinguishes "a key supplier" from a regular supplier?

"A key supplier" implies that the supplier is critical to your operations due to factors like the uniqueness of their product, their reliability, or their contribution to your overall success. In contrast, a regular supplier may be easily replaceable without significant impact.