essential figure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "essential figure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a person or element that is crucial or fundamental in a particular context or situation. Example: "In the development of modern physics, Albert Einstein is often regarded as an essential figure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

He remains an essential figure in the Met's future.

The New York Times - Arts

He was an essential figure in modern writing and in the history of the city.

The New Yorker

Mohammed, not Osama bin Laden, was the essential figure in the 9/11 plot.

The New Yorker

In the last decade, Moynihan has not been an essential figure in American politics.

The New York Times - Magazine

Slowly, as the debate went on, a third essential figure came into focus.

The New Yorker

Haacke is undoubtedly an essential figure in the art of the last half century.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

From Joseph Roth to Wittgenstein from Adolf Loos to Schiele, they are all essential figures of the 20th century.

The New York Times - Arts

Based on a comparison of essential figures of merit, namely vertex resolutions, event selection efficiencies, trigger performance and technical constraints, an updated baseline design is proposed.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

It bears witness to a chapter of Jewish and African-American history that has remained almost unknown except to those professors and students it directly affected, and might have gone to the grave with Mr. Manasse and other essential figures.

The New York Times - Arts

Other choices are more peculiar — there is as much space dedicated to the House of David, an early-20th-century barnstorming team formed by a religious commune, as to the Black Sox scandal of 1919 — but there are moving tributes to the game's two most essential figures: Babe Ruth and Jackie Robinson.

The New York Times - Books

For many scientific as well as commercial applications, the carrier mobility and the background carrier density originating from intentional23,24 or unintentional25,26 chemical doping are the essential figures of merit27,28, and the most straightforward way to obtain this information is through the electric field effect, which requires a variable gate potential.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "essential figure", ensure the context clearly establishes why the person or element is crucial. Provide specific details about their contributions or importance to avoid vagueness.

Common error

Avoid using "essential figure" when the person or element's importance is marginal or easily replaceable. Reserve it for genuinely critical individuals or components to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "essential figure" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "essential" modifies the noun "figure". According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. It serves to identify an individual or element as fundamentally important.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "essential figure" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone or something of critical importance. Ludwig's analysis shows it's most frequently used in news, academic, and scientific contexts. While interchangeable with terms like "key figure" or "vital person", ensure its use is justified by the individual or element's genuine indispensability. Be mindful of overstating importance and instead focus on providing concrete examples of the contribution or role, to reinforce the claim. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is indeed correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

key player

Replaces "figure" with "player", implying a more active role in a process or organization.

vital person

Substitutes "essential" with "vital", emphasizing the necessity and life-sustaining importance of the person.

indispensable individual

Replaces both "essential" and "figure" with stronger synonyms highlighting irreplaceability.

critical component

Shifts the focus from a person to an element or part that is crucially important.

fundamental element

Emphasizes the basic and foundational nature of the person or thing being described.

cornerstone

Implies that the person or thing is a vital foundation upon which something else depends.

linchpin

Highlights that the person or thing holds everything together; if removed, everything falls apart.

major force

Emphasizes the influence and power exerted by the person or thing.

primary influence

Focuses on the significant impact that the person or thing has on others or events.

chief architect

Suggests the person was instrumental in planning or creating something important.

FAQs

How can I use "essential figure" in a sentence?

Use "essential figure" to describe someone or something of critical importance. For example: "Nelson Mandela was an essential figure in the fight against apartheid."

What's a good alternative to "essential figure"?

You can use alternatives like "key figure", "vital person", or "indispensable individual" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "essential figure" or "important figure"?

"Essential figure" implies a higher degree of necessity compared to "important figure". "Essential" suggests the subject is indispensable, while "important" simply means they have significance.

In what contexts is "essential figure" most appropriate?

"Essential figure" is suitable in historical analyses, biographies, and discussions of key contributors to a field or movement. It emphasizes their irreplaceable role.