essential trait

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "essential trait" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a fundamental characteristic or quality that is necessary for something or someone. Example: "Honesty is an essential trait for building trust in any relationship."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

His enemies, luckily for him, share an essential trait with those who have gone before them.

The New York Times

And the partners mistake her confidence, an essential trait for any black woman trying to succeed in a field populated by white men, for arrogance.

The New York Times - Arts

Furthermore, these inclusions appear to be constantly exchanging material amongst them, an essential trait if these were sites devoted to viral genome assembly.

Nature

Instead, they're far more likely to assume that your subpar performance is an essential trait — making it extremely challenging to overcome their negative perception.

Harvard Business Review

Here we demonstrate that tyrosine detoxification is an essential trait in the life history of blood-sucking arthropods.

Current Biology

Earth is home to a remarkable diversity of plant forms and life histories, yet comparatively few essential trait combinations have proved evolutionarily viable in today's terrestrial biosphere.

Nature

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

Nietzsche praised Kant for having "annihilated Socratism," for exhibiting all ideals as essentially unattainable, and for having exposed himself to the despair of truth all essential traits Nietzsche claimed for his own thinking.

University of Chicago

Describe its essential traits.

University of California, Berkeley

Anyway, her essential traits were not going over very well in the child actor market.

The Guardian - Film

From an early age, he displayed the essential traits of his character.

Britannica

He's also practiced in the art of political connections and deflecting community opposition and patience, essential traits in real estate development.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing abstract concepts such as leadership or personality, use "essential trait" to highlight the most important qualities needed for success or understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "essential trait" in very casual or informal conversations. Opt for simpler words like "quality" or "characteristic" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "essential trait" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as a subject complement or an object in a sentence. It describes a quality or characteristic that is considered fundamental or necessary. Ludwig shows examples where it qualifies subjects in various contexts, emphasizing its importance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "essential trait" is a commonly used phrase, identified by Ludwig, to describe a fundamental characteristic or quality. It appears frequently in science, news, and formal business contexts. Ludwig AI considers the phrase grammatically correct, and it serves to highlight the indispensable nature of a specific attribute. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to formal settings, where its emphasis on necessity is most effective. Alternatives like "fundamental characteristic" or "key attribute" can offer variety while maintaining a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fundamental characteristic

Focuses on the basic, underlying nature of the characteristic.

key attribute

Emphasizes the importance and distinctiveness of the attribute.

vital feature

Highlights the necessity and importance of the feature.

core quality

Underscores that the quality is central and intrinsic.

indispensable characteristic

Stresses that the characteristic is absolutely necessary.

critical element

Highlights the importance and necessity of the element.

defining feature

Indicates that the feature is what distinguishes something.

basic property

Focuses on the elemental and inherent nature of the property.

necessary attribute

Emphasizes the requirement for the attribute to be present.

primary characteristic

Highlights the characteristic as being of first importance.

FAQs

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

You can use "essential trait" to describe a quality that is necessary or fundamental for something. For example, "Patience is an "essential trait" for teachers".

What are some synonyms for "essential trait"?

Some synonyms for "essential trait" include "fundamental characteristic", "key attribute", or "vital feature".

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "essential trait"?

It is appropriate to use "essential trait" when you want to emphasize the importance and necessity of a particular quality or characteristic. It is often used in formal writing and discussions.

Is "essential trait" the same as "important quality"?

While similar, "essential trait" implies a higher degree of necessity than "important quality". An "essential trait" is indispensable, whereas an "important quality" may simply be beneficial.