an essential element

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an essential element" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a crucial or necessary part of something, indicating its importance in a particular context. Example: "Trust is an essential element in building strong relationships."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Even here, art is an essential element.

The New York Times - Travel

"It is an essential element of our heritage".

The New York Times - Food

Nurses are an essential element of our health care system.

The New York Times

This was an essential element of the Leveson Report.

The Guardian

Listening, she implied, is an essential element of speech.

The New Yorker

This painting is an essential element in the show.

The New York Times - Arts

The audience could tell that an essential element was missing.

The New Yorker

Craftsmanship Is craftsmanship an essential element of heritage?

The New York Times

Christian art constitutes an essential element of the religion.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Trust is an essential element of an efficient market.

TechCrunch

In this way association becomes an essential element of imagination.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an essential element", ensure the context clearly demonstrates why the element is crucial to the subject being discussed. Provide specific details to support your claim.

Common error

Avoid using "an essential element" as a generic phrase without providing concrete reasons why the element is indeed essential. Always back up the assertion with specific examples or explanations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an essential element" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object. It identifies and emphasizes the critical nature of a particular component or aspect. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Huffington Post

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Vice

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an essential element" is a versatile and frequently used phrase to emphasize the critical importance of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and the examples show its application across diverse fields like news, science, and general discourse. While grammatically sound and widely accepted, ensure that the element's necessity is justified with clear context and specific reasons. Remember that the phrase works best when the indispensable nature of the element is clearly demonstrated and supported, avoiding generic or overstated claims.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a vital component

Replaces 'essential' with 'vital', emphasizing the necessity of the component.

a key component

Substitutes 'essential' with 'key', highlighting the importance of the element.

an integral part

Replaces 'essential element' with 'integral part', stressing inseparability from the whole.

a crucial factor

Changes 'element' to 'factor', shifting the focus to a contributing cause.

a necessary ingredient

Replaces 'element' with 'ingredient', framing it as a required part of a mixture or process.

a fundamental aspect

Shifts from 'element' to 'aspect', focusing on a basic feature or quality.

a core requirement

Replaces 'essential' with 'core', emphasizing central importance as a requirement.

a critical piece

Changes 'essential' to 'critical' and 'element' to 'piece', highlighting the importance of the element.

an indispensable feature

Replaces 'essential element' with 'indispensable feature', stressing that something is absolutely necessary or important.

a requisite attribute

Replaces 'essential' with 'requisite' and 'element' with 'attribute', stressing necessity.

FAQs

How can I use "an essential element" in a sentence?

Use "an essential element" to highlight something indispensable. For example, "Communication is "an essential element" of a successful relationship."

What phrases can I use instead of "an essential element"?

Alternatives include "a vital component", "a key component", or "a crucial factor" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the essential element" instead of "an essential element"?

Both can be correct, but they imply different things. "An essential element" refers to one of potentially many essential elements. "The essential element" implies there is only one.

What's the difference between "an essential element" and "an important aspect"?

"An essential element" suggests something is absolutely necessary, while "an important aspect" indicates something significant but not necessarily indispensable. Choose the phrase that best reflects the degree of necessity.