at its key

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at its key" is not standard or commonly used in written English.
It may be intended to refer to something being at its most important or crucial point, but the expression is unclear without additional context. Example: "The project is at its key moment, and we need to make a decision soon."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The slowing sales and earnings growth at Apple is likely to reflect in slowing trends at its key suppliers as well.

The Guardian - Business

After the market closed on Tuesday, the company reported a 2.4% weekly fall in net asset value at its key AHL fund.

The Guardian - Business

LVMH shares fell more than 3% on Tuesday after the Paris-based group said comparable sales growth at its key fashion and leather goods division had slowed more than analysts expected to 3% in the third quarter, down from 10% in the previous three months.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In the past year Pan Pacific has restructured its finances by converting outstanding debt to equity and raising £4.1m from shareholders, and has started production at its key site, the Quadling quarry in British Colombia, following the construction of a Can$300,000 access road.

The Guardian - Business

Longstanding relationships with Broadcom, Altera, Xilinx and especially NetLogic will leverage Cisco's growth severalfold at its key components suppliers.

Forbes

Iron ore was the largest contributor to Anglo's profit in 2011, but the firm said production at its key Kumba Iron Ore unit fell 19% to nine million tonnes, after five million tonnes of production were lost at its Sishen mine due to the strike.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The only T42 I ever saw give up the ghost belonged to a friend who treated it badly — flinging it onto tables, hammering cruelly at its keys, and dropping it repeatedly — until, one day (I think there might have been spillage involved), she broke the unbreakable.

The New Yorker

Mind, since I had last pattered at its keys the night before, I had asked the computer to do nothing more than I had done myself: sleep.

The Guardian - Opinion

I'm a writer, which implies that I spend a sizeable chunk of my day staring off into space or glowering at my laptop, stabbing at its keys in hopes of crafting coherent sentences on occasion.

Huffington Post

The structural responses from these sensors are recorded during the experiments and employed to reconstruct the multi-scale responses of the beam at all its key locations.

Mechatronics

The lack of information on multi-scale responses of the structure at all its key locations may hamper subsequently the accuracy of system identification, the reliability of damage detection or the effectiveness of structural control.

Mechatronics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "at its key" in formal writing. Instead, opt for more common and grammatically correct alternatives such as "at its most crucial point" or "at its heart".

Common error

Do not assume that all combinations of words are idiomatic. "At its key" is not a recognized English idiom; using it can confuse readers. Always verify the correctness of a phrase before using it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at its key" functions as a prepositional phrase, though it's not a standard or recognized expression in English. The phrase's intended meaning would likely be to describe something at its most important or crucial stage. According to Ludwig AI, this expression is unclear.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at its key" is not a standard or commonly used English expression. Ludwig AI indicates that it is unclear and should be avoided. While the intended meaning is likely to convey the importance or crucial nature of something, it's grammatically incorrect and lacks established usage. Instead, consider alternatives such as "at its most crucial point", "at its heart", or "at its pivotal moment" to express the intended meaning more clearly and effectively. Always prioritize clarity and accuracy in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at its most crucial point

Replaces 'key' with a more common adjective to indicate importance.

at its critical juncture

Uses 'juncture' to emphasize a significant point in time or development.

at its pivotal moment

Emphasizes a turning point or moment of great importance.

at its essential stage

Focuses on the fundamental or necessary aspect of a phase.

at its most significant phase

Highlights the importance of a particular phase or stage.

at its core

Indicates the central or most important part of something.

at its heart

Similar to 'at its core', emphasizing the central importance.

at its high point

Indicates the moment of greatest achievement or intensity.

at its turning point

Highlights a moment where a significant change occurs.

at its peak

Indicates the highest level or point of achievement.

FAQs

What does "at its key" mean?

The phrase "at its key" is not a standard English expression and may not be readily understood. It's better to use more common alternatives like "at its most crucial point" or "at its heart" depending on the intended meaning.

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

You can use alternatives such as "at its most crucial point", "at its pivotal moment", or "at its core" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "at its key"?

No, the phrase "at its key" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's advisable to use more common and accepted phrases.

How can I improve my writing to avoid using incorrect phrases like "at its key"?

Consult reputable grammar resources, read widely to familiarize yourself with correct usage, and seek feedback from others on your writing. Pay attention to whether a phrase is commonly used and understood.