be central to something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be central to something" is correct and usable in written English.
For example, you could use it in a sentence such as: "Students should be central to the school's decision-making process".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The challenge for developers and city officials is creating a sense that this downtown might actually be central to something -- though it won't ever be the center of Los Angeles.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

But Balotelli and Kolarov had been central to something that happened before that comeback.

The New York Times - Sports

Such things are still important, but I have come to realise that the answer actually lies in something far more basic, something that should be central to the writing of any piece of fiction: the creation of character.

The Guardian - Books

An appreciation of the needs of Code users and of the concerns influencing their behavior is offered as something that should be central to the entire drafting process and to subsequent introduction operations.

Fourth International Conference on Advances in Steel Structures Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference on Advances in Steel Structures 13–15 June 2005, Shanghai, China

Again, care planning was seen as something that should be central to all work within services, as well as relationships within services and not just at care planning meetings or with care planning documentation.

BMC Health Services Research

"Jim was central to creating something that, from then on, was too powerful and too legitimate to be stopped," Professor Heymann said yesterday.

The New York Times

The artist's racial identity is central to her work, something which affected her growing up in a predominantly white Afrikaner school in Cape Town.

Vice

However my understanding of nuance, the notion of shades, the absence of a clear defining line between right and wrong in real life, which is central to my work, is something I learned not just from Achebe, but also from Mariama Bâ, Saul Bellow, James Baldwin and pirated Indian films watched in small spaces in Accra.

The Guardian - Books

"That idea that the team should come first was central to what we did, and something Andy Flower was very conscious of and protective over.

The Guardian - Sport

In Quentin Blake: In the Theatre of the Imagination, Ghislaine Kenyon says this is central to all Blake's work, "something the literary critic James Wood calls 'serious noticing'.

The Guardian - Books

Argumentativeness is central to the firm's corporate culture, something that might stem from the founders' background in competitive debate.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be central to something", ensure the 'something' is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of "Teamwork should be central," specify "Teamwork should be central to our project's success."

Common error

Avoid using "be central to something" in overly general statements. Saying "Technology is central to the future" is less impactful than "Innovative technology is central to solving future energy crises."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be central to something" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, emphasizing the importance or essential nature of a subject in relation to a specific context or entity. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the expression "be central to something" is a grammatically sound and readily understandable phrase that conveys the high importance of something, as validated by Ludwig AI. While its use is considered rare, it is predominantly found in news and media, science, and academic contexts. When using this phrase, it is important to ensure that the 'something' is well-defined to avoid any ambiguity. Alternatives like "be vital to something" or "be essential to something" can be used depending on the level of importance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be vital to something

Replaces 'central' with 'vital', emphasizing the indispensable nature of the element.

be crucial to something

Substitutes 'central' with 'crucial', highlighting the critical importance for success or function.

be essential to something

Replaces 'central' with 'essential', stressing the absolute necessity of the element.

be key to something

Uses 'key' instead of 'central', suggesting that it unlocks or enables something else.

be fundamental to something

Replaces 'central' with 'fundamental', emphasizing the foundational nature of the element.

be integral to something

Substitutes 'central' with 'integral', indicating that it is an essential part of the whole.

be at the heart of something

Uses a metaphorical expression to emphasize the core importance.

be paramount to something

Replaces 'central' with 'paramount', highlighting its supreme importance.

be indispensable to something

Substitutes 'central' with 'indispensable', emphasizing its irreplaceability.

be critical to something

Replaces 'central' with 'critical', stressing the importance for success or survival.

FAQs

How can I use "be central to something" in a sentence?

You can use "be central to something" to emphasize the importance of a particular aspect. For example, "Customer satisfaction should "be central to" our business strategy".

What are some alternatives to "be central to something"?

Some alternatives include "be vital to something", "be crucial to something", or "be essential to something". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "be central to something" or "be important to something"?

"Be central to something" suggests a more fundamental role compared to "be important to something". "Central" implies that the thing is essential and foundational, while "important" simply means it has significant value.

What is the difference between "be central to something" and "be at the center of something"?

"Be central to something" indicates importance and necessity, while "be at the center of something" refers to a physical or conceptual position. For example, "Innovation is central to our strategy" versus "The new park is at the center of the community".