are key to determining

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are key to determining" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing factors or elements that are crucial for making a decision or reaching a conclusion. Example: "The various data points collected during the study are key to determining the overall effectiveness of the new treatment."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The union, however, said that those records only include revenue and salary figures, and not profits and non-player costs that are key to determining how much money the owners are making.

The New York Times - Sports

Bees and other insects provide pollination services that are key to determining the fruit set on coffee plantations.

Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment

The apparent importance of ethnicity, language and visible minority status in determining immigrant locations could indicate that immigrants are trading economic well-being against non-economic advantages linked to these characteristics or alternatively that these characteristics are key to determining which locations offer the best economic opportunities to immigrants.

IZA Journal of Migration

The presence or absence of nystagmus and its pattern are key to determining the most likely etiology or localization in dizziness presentations.

BMC Health Services Research

Hence, understanding the complex processes surrounding ECM production, modification and remodeling, and relating these processes to physiological changes in the biochemical and biomechanical properties of the ECM, are key to determining how microenvironmental changes influence cellular responses.

DMM Disease Models and Mechanisms

There is also a duty for the pathologist to prepare properly the specimens in advance of dissection, examination and block-taking since these latter steps are key to determining adequate histological examination and pathological staging.

European Journal of Cancer, Supplement

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

These results are key to determine the place of oxaliplatin in the management of advanced pancreatic cancer.

British Journal of Cancer

The current comprehensive spending review is key to determining the new offer that can be made to older people.

The Guardian

The energy bill is key to determining whether those reductions materialize.

The New York Times

That is why the specifics of the new products will be key to determining both their security and Washington's reaction to them.

The Guardian - Tech

This question is key to determining how large an investment the Department of Veterans Affairs needs to make in diagnosing and treating the problem.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are key to determining", ensure that the factors you are highlighting genuinely have a significant and direct impact on the outcome. Avoid using it for trivial or indirectly related elements.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "are key to determining" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "help decide" or "are important for" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are key to determining" functions as a predicate adjective emphasizing the significance of certain factors. As Ludwig AI suggests, it highlights factors crucial for reaching conclusions or making informed decisions. The phrase essentially points out what is most important for a specific result.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

63%

News & Media

31%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are key to determining" effectively highlights factors of critical importance for decision-making or understanding outcomes. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use. While versatile, it tends to lean toward formal contexts, being frequently found in scientific and news publications. When writing, ensure that the identified elements genuinely hold significant weight. Consider synonyms like "are crucial for determining" or "play a vital role in determining" to fine-tune your expression. Remember, while accurate, "are key to determining" might feel overly formal in casual conversations, where simpler options would be better. Ludwig's analysis helps to ensure this phrase is used both effectively and appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are crucial for determining

Replaces "key" with "crucial", emphasizing the essential nature of the elements involved.

are essential for determining

Substitutes "key" with "essential", highlighting the necessity of these aspects.

are critical for determining

Similar to "crucial" and "essential", but with a slightly stronger sense of urgency or potential risk.

play a vital role in determining

Changes the structure to emphasize the "role" these elements play, rather than their inherent importance.

are instrumental in determining

Replaces "key" with "instrumental", suggesting these factors are actively involved in achieving the result.

are significant in determining

Emphasizes the importance or magnitude of the impact on the outcome.

are fundamental to determining

Highlights the foundational nature of these elements in reaching a decision.

are central to determining

Indicates that these factors occupy a primary or core position in the decision-making process.

are decisive in determining

Emphasizes that these elements have a strong influence in resolving an uncertainty.

govern the determination of

Shifts the focus to these factors controlling or dictating the outcome.

FAQs

What does "are key to determining" mean?

The phrase "are key to determining" means that certain factors or elements are essential or crucial for making a decision, understanding a situation, or reaching a conclusion. They play a vital role in influencing the final outcome.

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

You can use "are key to determining" when you want to emphasize the importance of specific factors in influencing an outcome. For example, "Data analysis and user feedback "are key to determining" the success of our product launch."

What can I say instead of "are key to determining"?

You can use alternatives like "are crucial for determining", "are essential for determining", or "play a vital role in determining", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "are key to determine" or "are key to determining"?

"Are key to determining" is the correct phrasing. The word 'determining' is a gerund (a verb acting as a noun) and is appropriate after the preposition 'to'. "Are key to determine" is grammatically incorrect in this context.