crucially

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "crucially" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the importance or significance of a particular point or aspect in a discussion or argument. Example: "Crucially, the study highlights the need for further research in this area to fully understand the implications."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The reason for this conflict, Schelling explained, was that not wearing a helmet conferred a slight advantage on the ice; crucially, it gave the player better peripheral vision, and it also made him look fearless.

The Economist

It's easily the most confident and coherent of this batch of pilots and, crucially, is killing it in customer response: it currently has an overall rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Crucially, Snow examined that pump water expecting to see organic contamination.

The Guardian - Opinion

The block-letter handwriting bears some similarities and crucially Balestrero misspells the word "drawer" as "draw" – the same mistake as the robber made.

The Guardian

Most crucially of all, the Sarkozy era in France looked to be over, having dazzled briefly and faded fast.

The Guardian

"It's always about contradicting the thing they've just said and crucially finding the difference of opinion they may have had with someone else they work with.

The Guardian

What virtually all the various currents can agree on, however, is an opposition to "finance capitalism" and, crucially, to Germany's international military engagements.

The Guardian - Opinion

The fact that she also had a very dynamic authority first became recognised, crucially, at her meeting with Gorbachev in 1984.

The Guardian

But Murray has never been more confident on clay and, 20 months on from back surgery, he is in some of the best form of his career, he has been calm and, crucially, he looks like he believes.

The Guardian - Sport

It also, crucially, takes the pressure off Sánchez, who Wenger wants to play as a central focal point to the attack.

The Guardian - Sport

In its place, a far more limited EU force popped up, with one-third of the budget, fewer vessels and manpower, and crucially a mission statement that does not extend to search-and-rescue.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "crucially" to highlight a point that is essential for understanding or the success of a particular outcome. Ensure it directly relates to the core argument or information you are presenting.

Common error

Avoid using "crucially" too frequently in your writing. Overuse can dilute its impact and make your writing seem repetitive. Instead, vary your language with synonyms like "vitally", "essentially", or "most importantly" to maintain emphasis without redundancy.

Linguistic Context

Crucially functions as an adverb, modifying a verb, adjective, or another adverb to emphasize the importance or vital nature of the action or quality being described. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is correct and common in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverb "crucially" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term for highlighting vital or essential elements in writing. As Ludwig AI confirms, its function is to emphasize importance. It appears most often in news and media contexts, maintaining a neutral register suitable for various writing styles. While effective for emphasizing key points, be mindful of overuse to preserve its impact. Alternatives like "most importantly" or "vitally" can add variety. "Crucially" serves to guide the reader to the most indispensable components of an argument or narrative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most importantly

Emphasizes the highest level of importance, slightly stronger than "crucially".

vitally

Highlights the essential nature of something, similar to "crucially" but with a slightly more formal tone.

essentially

Focuses on the fundamental nature of something, often interchangeable with "crucially" in certain contexts.

fundamentally

Indicates a core aspect or basis, similar to "crucially" in denoting importance.

significantly

Highlights the importance of something in terms of its impact or effect.

importantly

A more direct synonym, emphasizing the relevance or value of a point.

decisively

Indicates a factor that determines an outcome, similar to "crucially" in its impact.

critically

Focuses on the potential for negative consequences if something is not addressed, similar to "crucially" but with a slightly more urgent tone.

paramountly

Emphasizes supreme importance or dominance, stronger and more formal than "crucially".

indispensably

Highlights something that is absolutely necessary or essential, similar to "crucially" in its irreplaceable nature.

FAQs

How can I use "crucially" in a sentence?

Use "crucially" to emphasize a point that is essential or vital to the argument or situation you are describing. For example, "Crucially, it depends on the availability of resources."

What are some alternatives to "crucially"?

You can use alternatives like "most importantly", "vitally", or "essentially" to convey a similar meaning, depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "crucially" and "importantly"?

"Crucially" emphasizes something that is absolutely necessary or vital, while "importantly" simply highlights something of significance. "Crucially" implies a higher degree of necessity.

When is it appropriate to use "crucially" in writing?

Use "crucially" when you want to draw attention to a point that is indispensable or critical to the subject matter. It's best used when the outcome or understanding heavily depends on the highlighted element.