are central to

USAGE SUMMARY

"are central to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to emphasize something as important to a particular situation. For example, "Good communication skills are central to success in any business environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Investments are central to ensuring future supply.

The New York Times

These talks are central to that happening.

The New York Times

Background checks are central to the delay.

The New York Times

Teachers are central to this.

The Guardian

Cities are central to Britain's financial recovery.

The Guardian

Both are central to our future".

The Guardian

The clothes are central to that.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Two efforts are central to AOL's success.

The New Yorker

These abstractions are central to their identity.

The Guardian

Designers are central to solving this problem.

The Guardian

Juries are central to English justice.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are central to" when you want to emphasize that something is absolutely necessary or of the highest importance for a particular outcome or situation. It adds weight and significance to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "are central to" in very simple or obvious statements where less emphatic phrasing would suffice. Overusing strong language can dilute its impact. Reserve it for situations where the centrality is genuinely significant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are central to" functions as a predicate adjective, emphasizing the essential or fundamental nature of the subject in relation to something else. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are central to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for emphasizing the essential or fundamental importance of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears most often in news, science, and formal business contexts, indicating a neutral to professional register. While versatile, it's best used when the centrality is genuinely significant to avoid diluting its impact. Alternatives such as "are fundamental to" or "are crucial for" can be used depending on the nuance you wish to convey. Therefore, use "are central to" when you want to underscore the indispensable nature of something with clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are fundamental to

Emphasizes a foundational or essential role.

are crucial for

Highlights the critical importance for achieving a specific outcome.

are vital to

Stresses the necessity for survival or proper functioning.

are key to

Focuses on the role as a solution or enabler.

are essential for

Highlights indispensability for a particular purpose.

are integral to

Suggests being an intrinsic part of a larger whole.

are paramount to

Indicates supreme importance or dominance.

are indispensable to

Emphasizes that something is absolutely necessary and cannot be done without.

are significant to

Highlights the importance or impact on something.

are requisite to

Implies a condition that must be met.

FAQs

How do I use "are central to" in a sentence?

The phrase "are central to" emphasizes that something is essential or of utmost importance. For example, "Teamwork and communication are central to the success of this project."

What can I say instead of "are central to"?

You can use alternatives like "are fundamental to", "are crucial for", or "are vital to" depending on the specific context.

Is it more formal to say "are central to" or "are important to"?

"Are central to" is generally more formal and emphatic than "are important to". Use "are central to" when highlighting something as absolutely essential.

What's the difference between "are central to" and "are related to"?

"Are central to" indicates something is essential and fundamental, whereas "are related to" simply indicates a connection or association. The first signifies a higher degree of importance.