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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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at its essential

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at its essential" is not correct in English.
The correct expression would be "at its essence" or "in its essence." Example: "The painting, at its essence, captures the struggle between light and darkness."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Music

Philosophy

Framing

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The journey from Brahms's First Symphony to his Fourth is from optimism to pessimism, from the possibility of reshaping the world to a resignation at its essential melancholy.

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The accidental properties of an object are ones that can be gained and lost over time, and which it might never have possessed at all: its essential properties are the only ones it had to possess and which it possesses throughout its existence.

Science

SEP

The four frames are constructed as ideal types: hypothetical characterisations of a phenomenon in its purest form, aimed at capturing its essential features [47, 48: 18–22].

It was shown that a second copy of the promoter or at least its essential regions can function like cis-acting enhancer elements.

It's the title track that captures the album at its most essential, featuring almost six extra minutes from the single version.

News & Media

Huffington Post

The sound editor's question is, at its most essential: how do you experience the world?

Primates that we are, we presumably learned long ago that our nature at its most essential consists of being able to entertain someone, and of being entertained in return.

I bit into my skewer and became an instant fan, like the thousands of Brits who have embraced Peruvian food at its most essential in these "anticuchos", the national snack.

News & Media

Independent

To stem those soaring costs, the region implemented a novel holistic care solution that was protocol-driven, moved the clinicians outside of the four walls of the hospital into the community and featured at its center essential cognified care capabilities.

News & Media

TechCrunch

The LHS, at its barest essential, is all about promoting optimal care.

It may be that Gp39.2 enables the mutant GroEL44 to fold, at least partially, all of its essential bacterial substrates at 42°.

Science

Genetics
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the fundamental nature of something, consider using "in its essence" for a more formal and philosophical tone.

Common error

Do not use "at its essential". It's grammatically incorrect. Instead, opt for the established and correct phrases "at its essence" or "at its core".

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

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

87%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at its essential" functions as a prepositional phrase intended to modify a noun or clause, indicating the fundamental or core aspect of something. However, Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is not grammatically correct, and it is recommended to use "at its essence" instead.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at its essential" aims to convey the fundamental or core aspect of something. However, Ludwig AI identifies this phrasing as grammatically incorrect. The preferred alternatives are "at its essence" or "at its core", which are widely accepted and grammatically sound. While some usage of the original phrase exists, particularly in news and media, it's best to opt for the established alternatives to ensure clarity and correctness in writing. Remember to prioritize grammatical accuracy for effective communication.

FAQs

What's the correct way to express the fundamental nature of something?

Instead of "at its essential", use the grammatically correct phrases "at its essence" or "at its core". These alternatives are widely accepted.

What can I say instead of "at its essential"?

You can use alternatives like "in its essence", "at its heart", or "at its most fundamental" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "at its essential" or "at its essence"?

"At its essence" is correct. "At its essential" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided.

Is "at its essential" commonly used?

While some instances of "at its essential" exist, it is not a standard or widely accepted phrase. It is better to use "at its essence" or similar alternatives for clarity and correctness.

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Source & Trust

87%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: