critical thing

USAGE SUMMARY

"critical thing" is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that is very important or necessary. For example, "Time management is a critical thing when it comes to completing a project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Land is a very, very critical thing".

The New York Times

"To me, the critical thing is getting the language right".

The New York Times

The role is the most critical thing for us".

The New York Times - Sports

For us the critical thing is the rhythm and pace.

The Guardian

"Domain shuffling seems to be a critical thing," Dr. Degnan said.

The New York Times - Science

"The critical thing was, what would be the song in the United States?" Mr. Garber says.

The New York Times

The critical thing is to believe that you know how to do the job very well.

Independent

He had learned the most critical thing: how to keep learning.

The New York Times

"Absolutely the critical thing is how to define fascism," he said by telephone from Seoul.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

In considering the photo, a critical thing to think about is exactly when it was taken.

Huffington Post

The most important and critical thing is to keep communication open and honest.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about project management, highlight that effective communication is the "critical thing" to keep all stakeholders aligned.

Common error

Avoid overuse of the phrase "critical thing" in a single piece of writing. Vary your language with alternatives like "key factor" or "essential element" to maintain reader engagement and avoid redundancy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "critical thing" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "critical" modifies the noun "thing". It serves to emphasize the importance or necessity of something, a function supported by Ludwig's analysis and numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "critical thing" is a common and grammatically sound way to emphasize the importance or necessity of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage in various contexts, especially in News & Media. While generally neutral in register, it's important to avoid overuse and consider more precise alternatives like "essential element" or "key factor" when appropriate. Remember that effective communication is the "critical thing" to convey your message clearly and avoid redundancy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most important aspect

Adds emphasis by specifying "most important", underscoring the supreme importance.

primary concern

Changes "critical thing" to "primary concern", focusing on the main worry or focus.

crucial point

Replaces "thing" with "point", focusing on a significant idea or argument.

key factor

Substitutes "critical thing" with "key factor", highlighting a significant aspect influencing an outcome.

vital aspect

Changes "critical thing" to "vital aspect", stressing the importance of a particular feature.

essential element

Replaces "thing" with "element", emphasizing a necessary component.

fundamental issue

Substitutes "critical thing" with "fundamental issue", pinpointing a basic and essential problem.

significant matter

Uses "significant matter" instead of "critical thing", emphasizing the importance of the issue.

indispensable part

Replaces "critical thing" with "indispensable part", highlighting the necessity and irreplaceability.

central component

Replaces "thing" with "component", underlining its essential role within a larger system.

FAQs

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

You can use "critical thing" to emphasize the importance or necessity of something. For example: "Understanding the requirements is the critical thing for success".

What can I say instead of "critical thing"?

You can use alternatives like "essential element", "key factor", or "vital aspect" depending on the context.

Is "critical thing" formal or informal?

"Critical thing" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more precise language might be preferred in highly formal settings.

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

While both phrases denote significance, "critical thing" often implies a higher degree of necessity or urgency compared to "important thing". "Critical" suggests that something is essential for success or survival.