a linchpin

USAGE SUMMARY

"a linchpin" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to refer to something essential to the success of an action, plan, or idea. For example, "The new marketing strategy was the linchpin of the company's success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was a linchpin of tourism.

The New York Times

It's a linchpin of sanity.

The New York Times

He had seen Ukraine as a linchpin of the EEU.

The Economist

It is a linchpin of the nation's economy.

The New York Times - Travel

"All the local businesses say we're a linchpin".

The New York Times

Locals see it as a linchpin in their fragile economy.

The New York Times

"Defense cooperation with India is a linchpin in this strategy".

The New York Times

Still, some consider him a linchpin in the case.

The New York Times

The Kings Arms is a linchpin of Oxford life.

The New York Times - Travel

For Mexico, natural gas is a linchpin of its future.

The New York Times

Among these Buttler has obviously been a linchpin.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a linchpin", ensure the context clearly establishes what the subject is essential for. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a linchpin" in contexts where simpler words like "important" or "key" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a linchpin" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or an object of a preposition. It identifies something as being crucial or indispensable. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase is correctly used in written English to denote something essential to the success of a plan or idea.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a linchpin" is a noun phrase that signifies something crucial or indispensable. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media, to emphasize the critical importance of a component within a larger system. While it can be used in both formal and informal contexts, it is more frequently found in professional and neutral registers. To ensure clarity and impact, always establish the context to what is essential. Overusing in simpler contexts can diminish its effect. Alternatives include "a cornerstone", "a key component", or "a vital element" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a cornerstone

This alternative emphasizes the foundational and indispensable nature of the element.

a key component

This alternative highlights the role of being one of the most important parts of a system.

a vital element

This alternative stresses the necessity and importance for something to work as expected.

an essential ingredient

This alternative suggests something cannot be disregarded without impairing the overall situation.

a critical factor

This alternative emphasizes importance in determining an outcome.

a central figure

This alternative is used for a person and emphasizes their central role and influence.

a mainstay

This alternative indicates a reliable and important element that supports something.

a backbone

This alternative emphasizes the supporting and structural role of the element.

a foundation

This alternative highlights the fundamental nature, upon which everything else depends.

the crux

This alternative points to the decisive point, the most important thing that something depends on.

FAQs

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

You can use "a linchpin" to describe something that is essential or crucial to the success or stability of something else. For example: "Effective communication is "a linchpin" of any successful team."

What are some alternatives to using "a linchpin"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "a cornerstone", "a key component", or "a vital element".

Is it appropriate to use "a linchpin" in formal writing?

Yes, "a linchpin" is suitable for formal writing. It is often used in news articles, academic papers, and business reports to emphasize the critical importance of something.

What makes "a linchpin" different from "an important part"?

"A linchpin" implies a higher degree of essentiality and interconnectedness. While "an important part" simply means something is significant, "a linchpin" suggests that the entire system or plan would fail without it.