essential items

USAGE SUMMARY

"essential items" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to things that are necessary and important in order to complete a task or fulfill a goal. For example, "I need to buy some essential items for my camping trip next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The shops are really depleted on those essential items".

The Guardian

essential items, such as food, clothing, heating and accommodation or 2. sufficient money to buy essential items for a period of two weeks.

The Guardian

Family finances were also helped by a decline in the cost of some essential items.

The Guardian - Business

My other essential items are a notepad and a disposable camera or a Polaroid.

The Guardian

Many essential items, such as food and clothing, are still exempt from the tax.

The New York Times

However, she said cutting out some essential items was just too difficult.

The Guardian - Money

Don't put all essential items in one suitcase or valuable items into checked bags.

The New York Times - Travel

These households spend a large share of their budget on food and other essential items.

Yale University

Textiles are one of the most essential items for sustaining monastic life.

Yale University

"Now we're focused on delivering water, food and essential items," said Colin MacInnes, deputy head of UNICEF in Iraq.

The Guardian

Some survivors were allowed to pick up essential items from their homes on Friday, accompanied by rescue workers.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When creating a checklist, clearly categorize your "essential items" to ensure efficient packing and organization. This makes it easier to identify and locate items when needed.

Common error

Avoid confusing "essential items" with items that are merely desirable. Focus on items that directly support your core needs and activities to prevent unnecessary bulk and weight.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "essential items" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it refers to things that are necessary or indispensable for a particular purpose.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

18%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

12%

Science

13%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "essential items" is a common and grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe things that are necessary or indispensable. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is correct and usable in written English. It appears frequently in various contexts, from news reports and academic papers to informal guides. Its purpose is to identify and emphasize the crucial nature of certain objects for a given situation. While synonyms such as "basic necessities" or "vital supplies" can be used, the core meaning remains consistent. When using "essential items", it's important to focus on items that directly support core needs to avoid unnecessary clutter.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

basic necessities

Emphasizes the fundamental aspect of the items, focusing on survival or core needs.

core essentials

Reiterates the essential nature of the items, emphasizing their centrality.

indispensable goods

Substitutes "essential" with "indispensable" and "items" with "goods", highlighting their necessity.

vital supplies

Replaces "items" with "supplies", focusing on the provisioning aspect.

necessary provisions

Replaces "items" with "provisions", implying a focus on supplies or resources.

required commodities

Uses "commodities" instead of "items", suggesting a broader range of necessities.

fundamental requirements

Highlights the mandatory nature of the items, framing them as prerequisites.

critical elements

Highlights the importance of the items as integral parts of something.

key components

Suggests the items are part of a larger system or process, crucial for its function.

must-have things

Uses more informal language to convey the necessity of the items.

FAQs

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

You can use "essential items" to refer to things that are necessary for a specific purpose. For example, "The aid package included food and other "essential items" for the refugees."

What are some synonyms for "essential items"?

Alternatives to "essential items" include "basic necessities", "indispensable goods", and "vital supplies", depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "essential items" and "important items"?

"Essential items" refer to things that are strictly necessary and crucial, while "important items" may include things that are valuable but not necessarily required for a specific purpose or survival.

Is it correct to say "essential item" instead of "essential items"?

Yes, "essential item" can be used in the singular form when referring to a single, necessary item. However, "essential items" is used when referring to a collection of necessary things.