an essential resource

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an essential resource" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is crucial or necessary for a particular purpose or situation. Example: "The library serves as an essential resource for students conducting research."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The school system is jettisoning an essential resource.

The New York Times

Water is an essential resource for the development of agriculture.

Agricultural Water Management

And we endanger our economy as we rely increasingly on a cartel for an essential resource.

The New York Times

Carbon monoxide is an essential resource for making many useful plastic materials.

The Guardian

Now the site speaks in more muted language of "developing an essential resource — educated, empowered children".

The New York Times

Bair's biography is painstakingly researched, compellingly written, and an essential resource for anyone wishing to study Nin's life or work.

The Guardian

Multi-particle entanglement is an essential resource for a variety of quantum information processing tasks.

University of California, Berkeley

This textbook is an essential resource for lecturers and students studying synthetic organic chemistry.

Stanford University

Support Staff Needed: Support Staff are an essential resource for the Frosh Trip.

Princeton University

SSOL is an essential resource to students, faculty, advisors, and administrators for student data.

Columbia University

The book will be an essential resource for students, teachers, scholars, business people, and policymakers.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an essential resource", ensure the context clearly defines why the resource is essential. Providing specific examples of its value strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "an essential resource" too broadly. If something is merely helpful but not truly critical, a weaker phrase like "a useful tool" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an essential resource" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object. It identifies something indispensable or critically important. Ludwig's examples show it commonly describes tools, materials, or systems vital for achieving specific goals.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

32%

News & Media

31%

Science

29%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an essential resource" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something indispensable. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and Ludwig's examples show that it's used across various fields such as academia, news, and science to highlight the critical importance of a particular entity or concept. While versatile, it's important to ensure the context supports the strong claim of essentiality and consider alternatives like "a vital asset" or "a key component" when a slightly less emphatic tone is appropriate. Being mindful of these nuances will strengthen your writing and ensure your message is accurately conveyed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a vital asset

Emphasizes the value and importance of the resource.

a key component

Highlights the resource's role as a necessary part of a larger system.

an indispensable element

Stresses that the resource cannot be done without.

a critical factor

Focuses on the resource's significance in determining an outcome.

a necessary tool

Implies the resource is a means to achieve a specific goal.

a crucial ingredient

Suggests the resource is a vital part of a recipe or process.

a fundamental requirement

Highlights that the resource is a basic condition for something to exist or succeed.

a primary necessity

Emphasizes the resource's role in fulfilling a basic need.

a valuable commodity

Focuses on the resource's economic or strategic worth.

a central element

Implies the resource is a core aspect of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "an essential resource" to describe something crucial or necessary. For instance, "Libraries are "an essential resource" for students." or "Water is "an essential resource" for agriculture".

What are some alternatives to "an essential resource"?

Alternatives include "a vital asset", "a key component", or "an indispensable element", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "an essential resource"?

Use "an essential resource" when referring to something absolutely necessary or crucial for a particular purpose or outcome. It's best suited for situations where the resource's absence would significantly hinder or prevent success.

Is there a difference between "an essential resource" and "a valuable resource"?

"A valuable resource" indicates something helpful and beneficial, while ""an essential resource"" implies something indispensable. "Essential" carries a stronger sense of necessity than "valuable".