an important criterion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an important criterion" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a significant standard or principle that is used to judge or evaluate something. Example: "In selecting candidates for the scholarship, academic performance is an important criterion."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

However, an important criterion for enzymatic biocatalysis is its stability against time.

Plosone

"But after that, Internet access is an important criterion.

The New York Times - Tech

In preparing pasta, size is an important criterion.

Britannica

Sheer survival was an important criterion for collection: "Everything was pulverized," Inspector Luongo said.

The New York Times

For long-term stability toward environmental factors hydrophobicity of the films is an important criterion.

Nature

Amongst these, maximization of network reliability is an important criterion.

Computers & Chemical Engineering

The ease allowance is an important criterion in garment design.

Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence

Therefore, fatigue is an important criterion during design.

International Journal of Fatigue

In this regard, votes on gun legislation should be an important criterion in assessing politicians.

University of California, Berkeley

Rinder says that an important criterion for his selection of the Biennial's artists was a "powerful sense of conviction".

The New Yorker

Even in town, caste is an important criterion when marriages are arranged.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "an important criterion", ensure it's followed by a clear explanation of why the criterion is important in the given context. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "an important criterion" when the factor is merely helpful or beneficial, not truly essential. Reserve it for situations where the criterion is critical for success or validity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an important criterion" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a significant factor or standard used for evaluation or judgment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it highlights the significance of a particular aspect.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

64%

News & Media

21%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an important criterion" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to emphasize a significant factor in evaluations, decisions, or standards. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. It appears most frequently in scientific contexts but is also prevalent in news and formal business settings. While synonyms like "a key consideration" or "a crucial component" exist, "an important criterion" directly highlights the weight of a particular element. Remember to use the phrase when the factor is truly essential to the matter at hand, and follow it with an explanation of its significance to enhance clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant factor

Focuses on the level of influence something has, rather than it being a strict requirement.

a key consideration

Emphasizes the act of thinking about something carefully, suggesting a less rigid requirement.

an essential element

Highlights the necessity of something as a part of a whole, suggesting it is indispensable.

a crucial component

Stresses the importance of something as being vital to the successful operation of a system or process.

a primary requirement

Specifies that something is a fundamental condition that must be met.

a vital aspect

Underscores the critical nature of something but can be more broadly applied than a criterion.

a major determinant

Indicates that something strongly influences or decides an outcome.

a deciding factor

Focuses on the role of something in making a final decision.

a fundamental principle

Highlights the underlying truth or basis upon which something depends, often in a theoretical sense.

a central tenet

Emphasizes that something is a core belief or doctrine, often within a system of thought.

FAQs

How can I use "an important criterion" in a sentence?

Use "an important criterion" to highlight a key factor or standard when evaluating something. For example, "When choosing a university, academic reputation is "an important criterion"".

What's a good alternative to saying "an important criterion"?

You can use alternatives like "a key consideration", "a significant factor", or "a crucial element" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "very important criterion"?

While not grammatically incorrect, saying "very important criterion" can be redundant. The phrase ""an important criterion"" already implies a high level of significance. Consider using stronger synonyms for 'important' if you want to emphasize it further, or rephrase the sentence.

What's the difference between "an important criterion" and "a requirement"?

While both relate to necessary conditions, ""an important criterion"" is broader and can refer to a standard for evaluation, whereas "a requirement" is a specific condition that must be met.