an important source of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an important source of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to talk about a significant resource or provider of something. For example, "The sun is an important source of energy for many nations around the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Tourism is an important source of revenue.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Peat is an important source of fuel.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It's an important source of income here".

The New York Times

It blocks an important source of funds.

The New York Times

Tariffs were also an important source of government revenue.

The New York Times

Schools use sponsorships as an important source of revenue.

The New York Times

And publishers remain an important source of that material.

The New Yorker

Research grants are an important source of income for many.

The Guardian

They're also an important source of revenue for television stations.

The New Yorker

Some logging will continue, protecting an important source of jobs.

The New York Times

Tourism, such an important source of revenue, is recovering strongly.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an important source of", ensure the noun following 'of' is specific and clearly related to the subject. For example, instead of 'an important source of things', specify 'an important source of revenue' or 'an important source of information'.

Common error

Avoid using "an important source of" as a generic filler. If the source's importance is self-evident or vaguely defined, rephrase to highlight specific qualities or impacts. For example, instead of 'Education is an important source of knowledge', try 'Education fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an important source of" functions as a noun phrase modifier, specifying the significance of a particular origin, supply, or resource. Ludwig examples show it commonly precedes nouns like revenue, income, information, and jobs.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Encyclopedias

28%

Science

28%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an important source of" is a versatile phrase used to emphasize the significance of something as a provider or origin. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalence across diverse contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and scientific literature. While alternatives exist to add nuance, the phrase remains a clear and effective way to highlight the value or criticality of a particular source. Remember to avoid overuse in generic contexts and ensure that the noun following 'of' is specific and relevant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant origin of

Replaces 'important' with 'significant' and 'source' with 'origin', emphasizing the substantial nature of the starting point.

a key provider of

Shifts the focus to the role of supplying or furnishing something, using 'key' to highlight importance.

a vital resource for

Emphasizes the indispensable nature of the resource, using 'vital' instead of 'important'.

a major contributor to

Highlights the role of actively adding to or supporting something, changing 'source' to 'contributor'.

a crucial element in

Focuses on the essential part something plays within a larger context, using 'element' instead of 'source'.

a primary generator of

Emphasizes the active creation or production of something, using 'generator' to highlight the creation aspect.

a fundamental basis for

Highlights the foundational nature, replacing 'source' with 'basis'.

a valuable asset for

Focuses on the beneficial or advantageous aspect, using 'asset' instead of 'source'.

a notable wellspring of

Uses more figurative language, with 'wellspring' suggesting an abundant and continuous supply.

a potent driver of

Emphasizes the powerful or influential aspect, using 'driver' to suggest forward motion or impact.

FAQs

How can I use "an important source of" in a sentence?

Use "an important source of" to indicate that something significantly contributes to or provides something else. For example, "The library is "an important source of" information for students".

What are some alternatives to "an important source of"?

Alternatives include "a key provider of", "a significant origin of", or "a vital resource for", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Each alternative slightly shifts the emphasis. For instance, "a key provider of" focuses on supplying, while "a vital resource for" stresses necessity.

Is it redundant to say "very important source of"?

While not strictly incorrect, "very important source of" can often be simplified to "a crucial source of" or "a vital source of" for a more concise and impactful statement. Using "crucial" or "vital" already implies a high degree of importance.

What's the difference between "an important source of" and "a major source of"?

"An important source of" generally indicates significance, while "a major source of" emphasizes quantity or scale. You would use "a major source of" when something contributes a large portion of something else, whereas "an important source of" can refer to something that is crucial but not necessarily the largest contributor.