critical for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "critical for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when something or someone is essential or important for a particular thing to happen. For example: "Adequate funding is critical for the success of this program."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's critical for YSL.

The New York Times - Magazine

Energy pricing is critical for both objectives.

The New York Times

The timing is critical for Mr Sarkozy.

Independent

They are critical for the UK economy".

Independent

The year 2005 was critical for Pres.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Healthy coral are critical for fish spawning.

The New York Times

A successful buyback is critical for Greece.

The New York Times

"And education is critical for that".

The New York Times

"It is critical for us".

The New York Times

That failure proved critical for several reasons.

The Guardian - Books

"Al's critical for our success," Phillips said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "critical for", ensure that the context clearly establishes what depends on the critical element. For instance, instead of saying 'This is critical', specify 'This is "critical for" project success'.

Common error

Avoid using "critical for" as a generic intensifier. Instead of saying 'Communication is "critical for" teams', provide a more specific context: 'Clear communication is "critical for" resolving conflicts within teams effectively'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "critical for" functions as an adjective phrase followed by a preposition, indicating that something is essential or vital for achieving a specific outcome or purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "critical for" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression to emphasize the importance or necessity of something. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment, highlighting its consistent usage across various authoritative sources. The phrase functions as an adjective phrase followed by a preposition, serving to underscore the vital role a particular element plays in achieving a specific outcome. While "critical for" is generally appropriate for various contexts, it's essential to ensure that the context is clear and specific to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "essential for", "vital for", and "crucial for" can be used to add nuance or variety. Ludwig's extensive database confirms the phrase's common usage, solidifying its place as a valuable tool in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

essential for

Highlights the absolute necessity of something.

vital for

Emphasizes the life-sustaining or extremely important nature of something.

crucial for

Stresses the decisive importance of something.

indispensable for

Indicates something is so important it cannot be done without.

necessary for

States a requirement for a particular outcome.

important for

Indicates that something has a significant effect or influence.

key for

Highlights that something is a central element for success or achievement.

fundamental for

Emphasizes the basic or foundational nature of something.

significant for

Indicates that something is noteworthy or consequential.

integral to

Implies something is an essential part of a whole.

FAQs

How can I use "critical for" in a sentence?

Use "critical for" to emphasize that something is essential or necessary for a particular purpose or outcome. For example, "Teamwork is "critical for" project success."

What are some alternatives to "critical for"?

You can use alternatives like "essential for", "vital for", or "crucial for" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say 'absolutely critical for'?

While not strictly wrong, 'absolutely "critical for"' can be seen as slightly redundant since 'critical' already implies a high degree of importance. Consider using just "critical for" for conciseness.

What's the difference between "critical for" and "important for"?

"Critical for" implies something is essential and indispensable, while "important for" suggests something has a significant effect but isn't necessarily vital. The choice depends on the degree of necessity you want to convey.