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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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a very essential

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a very essential" is not considered correct in standard written English.
It is generally redundant because "essential" already implies something is very important or necessary. Example: "Water is a very essential resource for all living beings."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Another activist, who identified himself as Jamal, called Otaiba a "very essential location".

News & Media

The New York Times

"We were looking for something that had a very essential, instant sound to it, very identifiable," she said.

"It was a very essential contribution to the state budget," said Samir Seifan, a Syrian economist now living in Iraq.

News & Media

The New York Times

"I still believe that public trust is a very essential thing, and I want to make sure that everyone knows that I am honorable.

News & Media

The New York Times

Ros Kerslake, chief executive of the PRT, said: "The Cleveland Pools were a very essential public amenity before falling out of fashion and into disrepair.

News & Media

The Guardian

"She sort of comes around to realizing that her roots define a very essential part of her," Ms. Witherspoon says, describing the emotional path of her Southern-born, New York-shaped character, Melanie Carmichael (née Smoot).

News & Media

The New York Times
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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

She becomes a very, very essential figure".

News & Media

Huffington Post

When Washington died, in 1799, Hamilton made the startling observation that "he was an Aegis very essential to me," as if Washington had been his aide-de-camp, rather than the other way around.

News & Media

The New Yorker

However, in an actual DQD system, the coherent indirect coupling between two QDs via a reservoir is very essential.

Condition monitoring and fault diagnosis of such a component is very essential for safety of passengers, vehicles and to minimize the unexpected maintenance time.

Integrated information on sustainable development of a company is very essential for decision-making since it is very difficult to evaluate the performance of the company on the ground of too many indicators.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "a very essential" is commonly used, consider using stronger synonyms like "crucial" or "indispensable" for a more impactful and grammatically sound statement.

Common error

Avoid using "very" with words like "essential" that already imply a high degree of importance. Instead, focus on specifying why something is essential for increased clarity.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

81%

Authority and reliability

3.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a very essential" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. However, Ludwig AI suggests that the addition of "very" is redundant, as "essential" already conveys a high degree of importance. Examples show it being used to describe roles, parameters, aspects, and parts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

61%

News & Media

27%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a very essential" is commonly used to emphasize the importance of something. However, Ludwig AI points out its redundancy, suggesting that "essential" already implies a high degree of necessity. While frequently found in science and news contexts, consider using stronger alternatives such as "a crucial" or "an indispensable" for greater impact and grammatical precision. When writing, focusing on why something is essential can enhance clarity and strength.

FAQs

Is "a very essential" grammatically correct?

While commonly used, the phrase "a very essential" is often considered redundant. The word "essential" already implies something is very important or necessary, so adding "very" can be seen as unnecessary.

What are some alternatives to "a very essential"?

You can use alternatives such as "a crucial", "an indispensable", or "a vital" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "a very essential"?

Although generally discouraged in formal writing, "a very essential" might be used in informal contexts or when emphasizing the importance for stylistic reasons, though stronger alternatives are preferable.

How can I make my writing more precise than using "a very essential"?

To be more precise, focus on explaining why something is essential. For example, instead of saying "Education is a very essential component", say "Education is a key component for social and economic progress".

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Source & Trust

81%

Authority and reliability

3.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: