critical

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "critical" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is essential, crucial, or of great importance in a particular context. Example: "The critical factor in our success was the team's ability to adapt to changing circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Indeed, you did extraordinary work on a host of critical missions during my time as director, and I am deeply grateful to you for that.

The Guardian

"They will be sceptical but they won't be critical and they will learn to manage.

The Guardian

"Without the full protection of the Clean Water Act, critical wetland habitats across the country will be degraded or destroyed, undermining the recovery of dozens of endangered species," Hartl wrote in a statement.

The Guardian

In a highly critical report on Monday, marking the first anniversary of the official outbreak in west Africa, the charity said the governments of Guinea and Sierra Leone obstructed the early response and contributed to the loss of life.

The Guardian

As Iran enters a critical period in its history, with elections in June, sanctions biting and the increasing threat of an Israeli attack, the Guardian has formed a partnership with the award-winning Tehran Bureau to open a window on life in the Islamic republic.

The Guardian

"I met in Damascus a president who was very aware of the critical situation," said Salehi, who saw the Syrian leader two weeks ago.

The Guardian

This year, the nuclear negotiations in the Swiss city of Lausanne, which are entering a critical phase ahead of a major deadline, are being debated over dried fruits, pistachio nuts and watermelon seeds.

The Guardian

The project, according to Shell, is "critical to Malaysia's long-term energy security".

The Guardian

However, Thomas points to a lack of critical discussion and explanation of the very basis for Prevent's community work, the rationale for how some areas are selected rather than others, and a lack of transparency about the proportion of spending on combating different types of extremism.

The Guardian

Lord Adonis, the former Labour transport minister, said the speech amounted to "a systematic hatchet job" on the culture at Network Rail, adding: "I don't think I've ever heard a CEO be so critical of his own organisation".

The Guardian - Business

The country will offer an opulent stage for voices from across Europe, but at home few critical voices are tolerated.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "critical", clearly specify what makes something critical, providing context to its importance. For example, instead of saying "the situation is critical", say "the situation is critical due to lack of resources".

Common error

Avoid using "critical" as a generic intensifier. Instead of saying "it's critical to be on time", consider specifying why punctuality matters, such as "it's essential to be on time because the meeting starts promptly".

Linguistic Context

The word "critical" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate something is essential, crucial, or at a turning point. Ludwig AI supports this, showing its use in various contexts to emphasize importance. Examples include "critical missions" and "critical period".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adjective "critical" signifies something of utmost importance, urgency, or decisiveness. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across diverse contexts like news, business, and general discourse. While versatile, it's important to use it judiciously, providing context to specify the nature of its criticality. Alternatives like "essential", "crucial", and "vital" can offer nuanced substitutions. With a strong presence in authoritative sources like The Guardian, "critical" remains a pivotal term for conveying significance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

essential

Emphasizes necessity and fundamental importance.

crucial

Highlights the decisive importance of something.

vital

Stresses the importance for survival or success.

important

A general term for something of significant value.

decisive

Indicates a factor that strongly affects the outcome.

pivotal

Highlights the turning-point nature of something.

key

Emphasizes the central importance of something.

significant

Highlights the noticeable or consequential nature of something.

fundamental

Stresses the foundational nature of something.

pressing

Highlights the urgency and importance of something.

FAQs

How can I use "critical" in a sentence?

You can use "critical" to describe something essential or crucial. For example: "It is "essential" to review the data before making a decision."

What words can I use instead of "critical"?

Alternatives to "critical" include "essential", "crucial", or "vital", depending on the context.

When should I use "critical" over "important"?

"Critical" implies a higher degree of necessity or potential impact than "important". Use "critical" when something is essential to the success or survival of something, while "important" simply means it has significance.

What does it mean when a patient's condition is described as "critical"?

In a medical context, "critical" means the patient's condition is unstable and requires immediate, intensive care. It indicates a high risk of deterioration.