a vital resource

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a vital resource" is an acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase whenever you need to describe something that is important to a given situation. For example: "Clean water is a vital resource for life on earth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's a vital resource.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"It's really a vital resource for them".

The New York Times

"Senior fellows are a vital resource to our center.

Harvard University

"Our mission is to tell the story of water as a vital resource," Ms. Harrer said.

The New York Times

"The Nile is a vital resource for 80 million Egyptians," he adds.

The Guardian

The charity Families Need Fathers recognises that contact centres provide a vital resource to separated families.

The Guardian

Expert knowledge is a vital resource in this complex power struggle.

The Guardian

If people ever visited Mercury, this ice would be a vital resource.

Britannica

This volume is a vital resource for anyone interested in analytic philosophy.

Stanford University

My cohort and the OHMA alumni I have met have become a vital resource.

Columbia University

The book is a vital resource for teachers, students, and concerned citizens.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a vital resource", ensure the context clearly establishes what makes the resource vital. Be specific about the benefits or importance it provides in the given situation.

Common error

Avoid using "a vital resource" as a generic placeholder. Instead, elaborate on the specific qualities that make the resource indispensable. For instance, instead of saying, "Data is a vital resource", specify, "Accurate data is a vital resource for informed decision-making".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a vital resource" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or an object of a preposition. It identifies and emphasizes something of critical importance or necessity. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is acceptable and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Academia

27%

Science

23%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a vital resource" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase used to emphasize the critical importance or indispensability of something. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability, and the phrase appears frequently in news, academic, and scientific contexts. While versatile, it's crucial to provide specific context to clarify why the resource is considered vital, avoiding generic or vague usage. Alternatives include "an essential asset" or "a key component", offering varied emphasis while maintaining semantic similarity. Its frequent use across authoritative sources like The Guardian and The New York Times underscores its reliability and widespread recognition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an essential asset

Substitutes "vital resource" with synonyms emphasizing importance and value.

a key component

Focuses on the role of being an integral and necessary part.

an indispensable element

Highlights the irreplaceability and necessity of the resource.

a crucial element

Emphasizes decisiveness and critical importance.

a fundamental necessity

Stresses the basic and essential nature of the resource.

a cornerstone

Indicates foundational support and importance.

a significant advantage

Highlights the benefit and importance the resource provides.

a critical advantage

Emphasizes decisiveness and the benefit the resource provides.

a valuable asset

Replaces "vital" with "valuable", focusing on worth and benefit.

an important factor

Indicates significance and influence.

FAQs

How can I use "a vital resource" in a sentence?

Use "a vital resource" to emphasize the indispensable nature of something. For example, "Clean water is "a vital resource" for sustaining life".

What are some alternatives to "a vital resource"?

Alternatives include phrases like "an essential asset", "a key component", or "an indispensable element", each conveying a similar sense of importance and necessity.

Is it correct to say something is "a vital resource", or should I use a different phrase?

Saying something is "a vital resource" is grammatically correct and commonly used. However, consider alternatives like "a crucial element" or "a fundamental necessity" for variety and emphasis.

What makes "a vital resource" different from just "an important resource"?

"A vital resource" emphasizes the indispensable nature of something, while "an important resource" simply indicates significance. "Vital" suggests that without it, something would be severely impacted or impossible, which indicates that it is "a crucial element".