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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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an key strategy

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an key strategy" is not correct in written English.
It should be "a key strategy" because "key" begins with a consonant sound. Example: "Implementing a key strategy will help us achieve our goals more effectively."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Hence, collecting endorsements for the "30 year anniversary" claim, i.e. 1982 as the origin date for email, is an key strategy for Ayyadurai.

News & Media

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Not letting an enemy up is a key strategy.

"This is a key strategy as a path forward," said Anne Johnson, the director of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition, a project of the nonprofit group GreenBlue.

News & Media

The New York Times

Making the budget a public issue was a key strategy ensuring sustainable financing of UCS.

This is also a key strategy in securing a sustainable recovery from the downturn.

News & Media

BBC

A key strategy in combating a resistant microorganism is to suppress its resistance factor.

Home visiting was a key strategy for creating a culturally safe practice.

Collaborative practice has also been identified as a key strategy in facilitating a theory driven approach.

As a result, iCCM expansion is a key strategy against childhood pneumonia [ 5, 6].

A key strategy for maintaining a positive mind-set was to put faith in healthcare professionals' abilities and commitment.

Science

BMJ Open

Putting a price on carbon is considered a key strategy in the fight to limit the effects of climate change.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the correct article ("a" or "an") based on the pronunciation of the following word. In this case, use "a key strategy" because "key" begins with a consonant sound.

Common error

Avoid using "an" before words that begin with a consonant sound. Double-check the pronunciation, not just the spelling, to ensure proper article usage.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

3.2/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an key strategy" is intended to function as a noun phrase, identifying a significant plan or approach. However, it contains a grammatical error in the article usage. According to Ludwig AI, the correct form is "a key strategy."

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an key strategy" is grammatically incorrect; the proper form is "a key strategy". As Ludwig AI indicates, the error lies in the incorrect article usage before a word that begins with a consonant sound. Although infrequently used in its incorrect form, the corrected phrase is common across various contexts, including science, news, and business. When aiming to emphasize the importance of a strategic approach, consider using alternatives like "a crucial strategy" or "a vital strategy" to enhance clarity and impact. Remember to always verify that you have the correct form of the phrase before publishing or sending.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "an key strategy"?

The correct way to phrase this is "a key strategy". The article "a" is used because the word "key" begins with a consonant sound.

What are some alternatives to "a key strategy"?

You can use phrases like "a crucial strategy", "a vital strategy", or "a fundamental strategy" depending on the context.

When should I use "a" versus "an"?

Use "a" before words that begin with a consonant sound (e.g., "a key"). Use "an" before words that begin with a vowel sound (e.g., "an essential element"). It's about sound, not just the letter.

Is "an important strategy" grammatically correct, and how does it differ from "a key strategy"?

"An important strategy" is grammatically correct because "important" begins with a vowel sound. While both are correct, "a key strategy" emphasizes the central or essential nature of the strategy more strongly than "an important strategy".

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Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

3.2/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: