are key to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are key to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about something being integral or essential for a particular purpose or outcome. For example: Good communication skills are key to success in any workplace.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mortgages are key to solving the mystery.

The Economist

Those ingredients are key to delivering successful brand partnerships and engagement with consumers.

The Guardian

Esther Agbarakwe of the Association for Reproductive & Family Health, points out that "journalists are key to any successful intervention.

The Guardian

He agrees that trust and transparency are key to boosting consumption.

The Economist

Wind farms have met with opposition but Greece's environment minister says they are key to green growth.

The Economist

Since his election to the Scottish Labour leadership last December, Jim Murphy has appealed directly to the 190,000, mostly male, mostly Glaswegian, Labour voters who supported independence and who he believes are key to his party's victory in May.

The Guardian

The measures are key to releasing aid that has yet to be disbursed because of disagreement over policies that Tsipras says are at odds with his Syriza party's anti-austerity platform.

The Guardian

Related: Small charities are key to Nepal's recovery While they do recruit from Ghana, one of the added benefits of recruiting short-term volunteers is that they become a messenger of the charity's work on their return.

The Guardian

Both are key to development.

The Guardian

Exports are key to recovery of smaller countries: if not helped by currency depreciation, the fiscal system must favour exporters.Finland is also an excellent example of bold bets on new sectors.

The Economist

As the passage of the 1967 Abortion Act demonstrated, three members of the government are key to private members' bills on such subjects averting their usual fate of being starved of parliamentary time.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are key to", ensure the sentence clearly explains what outcome the key elements contribute to. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid stacking multiple clauses with "are key to" in a single sentence. This can make the sentence convoluted and difficult to read. Break it down into simpler sentences for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are key to" functions as a linking phrase, connecting specific elements or factors to a particular outcome or result. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts. Examples demonstrate its role in highlighting essential components for success or achievement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

35%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are key to" is a versatile and grammatically sound linking phrase used to emphasize the importance of specific elements in achieving a particular outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is widely used in diverse contexts, including news, business, and science. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal writing. To enhance clarity, ensure the sentence clearly articulates the outcome these key elements contribute to. Alternatives such as "are essential for" or "are crucial for" can be used for variety. Overusing the phrase in complex sentences should be avoided to maintain readability. The prevalence of this phrase across authoritative sources underscores its reliability and effectiveness in written communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are essential for

Replaces "key" with "essential", emphasizing necessity.

are crucial for

Substitutes "key" with "crucial", highlighting a critical aspect.

are vital to

Uses "vital" instead of "key", stressing the importance for survival or success.

are fundamental to

Replaces "key" with "fundamental", pointing out foundational elements.

are integral to

Substitutes "key" with "integral", indicating a necessary part of a whole.

are paramount to

Replaces "key" with "paramount", emphasizing supreme importance.

are critical to

Uses "critical" instead of "key", stressing the decisive importance.

are central to

Substitutes "key" with "central", highlighting the core importance.

are indispensable to

Replaces "key" with "indispensable", showing that something is absolutely necessary.

are significant for

Substitutes "key" with "significant", highlighting notable importance.

FAQs

How can I use "are key to" in a sentence?

Use "are key to" to emphasize the importance of certain factors in achieving a specific goal. For example, "Effective communication skills "are key to" building strong relationships".

What are some alternatives to saying "are key to"?

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

Is it grammatically correct to use "are key to"?

Yes, "are key to" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that certain elements are essential or vital for a particular outcome.

What is the difference between "are key to" and "is key to"?

"Are key to" is used when referring to multiple factors, while "is key to" is used when referring to a singular factor. For example, "Teamwork and communication "are key to" project success" versus "Focus "is key to" completing the task".