an essential feature of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an essential feature of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a fundamental or necessary characteristic of something. Example: "Communication is an essential feature of effective teamwork."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Fault tolerance is an essential feature of scalable software services.

University of California, Berkeley

Balance is an essential feature of good design.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

But only the United States makes youth an essential feature of its national self-conception.

The New York Times

Is it because the suppression of any signature touch is an essential feature of her paintings?

The Guardian

This is not just of fundamental importance to homeowners, but an essential feature of our economy.

The Guardian

Campaigning for change has always been an essential feature of the sector.

The Guardian

The capacity to sustain internal constancy was an essential feature of an organism, he argued.

The New Yorker

Rather, he declared, "It is an essential feature of the universe".

The New York Times

What Duchamp called, dismissively, the "optical" is not an essential feature of the soup cans.

The New Yorker

She was committed to collaboration as an essential feature of her work.

Britannica

Glamorous, gladiatorial, faintly disreputable, the concerto is an essential feature of modern concert life.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an essential feature of", ensure that the feature you are describing is indeed fundamental and not merely beneficial or common. A true essential feature is indispensable to the subject's function or identity.

Common error

Avoid using "an essential feature of" when describing something that is merely helpful or advantageous. This phrase implies a necessity, so reserve it for features that are truly critical.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an essential feature of" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun or noun phrase to indicate that the specified feature is fundamental and indispensable. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is used across a spectrum of contexts to highlight key attributes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an essential feature of" is a phrase used to highlight a fundamental and indispensable characteristic of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various domains, including science, news, academia, and encyclopedias. When employing this phrase, ensure the described feature is truly necessary rather than merely beneficial. Alternatives such as "a key aspect of" or "a vital component of" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Keep in mind that overuse or misapplication of this phrase can dilute its impact; reserve it for truly critical elements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a key aspect of

Focuses on a particularly important part, changing the emphasis from essential to key.

a vital component of

Highlights the importance of something as a contributing part, rather than a defining feature.

a critical element of

Stresses the importance for success or functionality, shifting from essential to critical.

a necessary attribute of

Emphasizes a quality or characteristic that must be present, sounding slightly more formal.

a fundamental characteristic of

Highlights a basic and foundational aspect, placing focus on inherent traits.

an integral part of

Highlights the embedded nature of the feature.

a defining characteristic of

Emphasizes that it helps specify something.

a basic requirement of

Stresses the need for something.

a cornerstone of

Highlights support something.

a prime element of

Highlights something of high rank.

FAQs

How can I use "an essential feature of" in a sentence?

You can use "an essential feature of" to highlight a critical or fundamental aspect of something. For example, "Fault tolerance is "an essential feature of" scalable software services."

What are some alternatives to "an essential feature of"?

Alternatives include "a key aspect of", "a vital component of", or "a critical element of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "an essential feature of" and "an important feature of"?

"An essential feature of" implies that something is absolutely necessary, while "an important feature of" suggests that something is significant but not necessarily indispensable. The former is stronger and should be used when the feature is crucial.

Is it redundant to say "essential and important feature of"?

Yes, it can be redundant. Since "essential" already implies importance, saying "essential and important" can be repetitive. It's better to choose either "essential" or "important" depending on the degree of necessity you want to express.