essentials

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "essentials" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the basic items that one needs for a certain purpose, or "bare necessities". For example, "I packed some clothes, toiletries, and other essentials for the weekend trip."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Travel

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Which country your shirt came from, or the accuracy of the sizing – such essentials are in the gift of the retailer.

The Guardian - Opinion

As a Smart Pass member, you'll also get a minimum 10% discount across a range of over 850 shopping essentials, as well as access to 50%-off sales, product samples, anniversary gifts and a subscription to the Ocadolife magazine.

The Guardian - Money

Although the details remain unclear, and there is a court investigation pending, Ignacio has been able to piece together the essentials.

The Guardian

So when you ask Dunlop, who is fluent in Mandarin, to teach you how to make the perfect noodles and to share her favourite noodle dish, you can expect to learn more than just the essentials.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Alimentación Aaron on the corner of Calle Nécora has all the essentials for a beach feast.

The Guardian - Travel

To my genuine astonishment, I too find life is fine with only the essentials and what's in those boxes has become a mystery to me, although not an intriguing one.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But he believed he had got closer to the long-term essentials of his clients' businesses.

The Guardian

After learning the technical essentials, you'll take part in a series of scenic photo-walks around Paris where you'll receive constructive feedback on your work.

The Guardian

People also had more to spend on treats and big ticket items because essentials such as food and petrol continued to fall in price.

The Guardian - Business

That was the first time I'd unplugged myself, and I broke things down to their bare essentials.

The Guardian - Film

Essentials A seven-night all-inclusive stay at the Spice Island Beach Resort in June costs from £2,175pp with Elegant Resorts (01244 897516; www.elegantresorts.co.uk).co.uk

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the "essentials" for a specific task or situation, be precise in defining what those "essentials" are to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "travel essentials" or "cooking essentials".

Common error

Avoid using "essentials" too broadly. Instead of vaguely referring to "essentials", specify which items or aspects are crucial to provide clarity and avoid generalizations.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "essentials" is as a plural noun, referring to the basic or necessary elements of something. As Ludwig AI explains, it refers to items needed for a purpose, and the examples from Ludwig confirm its usage in various contexts, such as travel or cooking.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

20%

Lifestyle

15%

Less common in

Travel

10%

Science

10%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "essentials" functions primarily as a plural noun, denoting items or aspects deemed necessary or fundamental. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and highly versatile, fitting various contexts from everyday discussions to formal analyses. Its communicative purpose is to emphasize indispensable elements, and its register is generally neutral to professional, making it suitable for diverse audiences. Ludwig's analysis shows a prevalence in News & Media and Formal & Business settings. To ensure clarity, specifying the context (e.g., travel "essentials") avoids ambiguity. In summary, "essentials" is a robust term for identifying what is crucially needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

basic requirements

Emphasizes the fundamental needs or conditions that must be met.

necessary items

Focuses on the objects or goods that are needed for a specific purpose.

fundamental aspects

Highlights the core or foundational elements of a concept or situation.

key components

Refers to the crucial parts or elements that make up a whole.

core elements

Similar to key components, but emphasizes the central or most important aspects.

required materials

Highlights the items that are mandated or necessary for a particular task or process.

bare necessities

Emphasizes the minimum requirements for survival or basic comfort.

indispensable goods

Focuses on items that are absolutely essential and cannot be done without.

vital supplies

Refers to the crucial resources or provisions needed, often in emergency situations.

critical resources

Highlights the resources that are essential for achieving a goal or maintaining a process.

FAQs

How to use "essentials" in a sentence?

You can use "essentials" to refer to necessary items or fundamental aspects, like in the sentence, "Make sure to pack all the travel essentials before leaving." /s/travel+essentials

What can I say instead of "essentials"?

You can use alternatives like "basic requirements", "necessary items", or "fundamental aspects" depending on the context.

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

Yes, "essential items" is a correct and more explicit way to refer to the same concept. While "essentials" is a noun referring to necessary things, "essential items" emphasizes the item nature of the necessities.

What's the difference between "essentials" and "necessities"?

"Essentials" and "necessities" are largely interchangeable, both referring to things that are needed. However, "necessities" often implies a more basic or fundamental level of need, such as food and shelter.