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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
has been essential in
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
'has been essential in' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about something that has been important or instrumental in achieving a result. For example: "His advice has been essential in helping me make the right decision."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Academia
Formal & Business
Alternative expressions(20)
has been crucial for
has greatly assisted
has been fundamental in
has been instructive
has been instrumental in
has been critical to
has been indispensable in
has been a huge support
has been decisive in
has been active
has proven invaluable
has greatly contributed to
has been vital
has been a great aid
has been effective
has been pivotal in
has significantly aided
has been a valuable help
has been helpful
has been key in
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
41 human-written examples
Water has been essential in the economic development of New England.
Academia
Overcoming the military's traditional hierarchical model has been essential in an era of digitally enabled terrorism.
Being in a patient's presence has been essential in order to hear the heart.
News & Media
Its supporters argue that equal access to the internet has been essential in creating today's dynamic online world.
News & Media
Sound source localization (SSL) in a robotic platform has been essential in the overall scheme of robot audition.
In South Florida, offshore sand has been essential in bolstering constantly eroding beaches, and healthy beaches are vital to tourism.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
19 human-written examples
Photographers have been essential in that movement.
News & Media
Mr. Holder said the cooperation of Muslims had been essential in preventing terrorist attacks.
News & Media
But Mr. Ashcroft said today that the law had been essential in preventing another terrorist attack in the United States.
News & Media
MTV's endorsement is said to have been essential in the selection of the band Garbage as performers of The World...'.s title track.
News & Media
He said that collectors and museums had been essential in rescuing and caring for cultural artifacts that spread an understanding of Khmer culture.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "has been essential in", ensure the sentence clearly indicates what the subject has been essential in accomplishing. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.
Common error
Avoid overuse of "has been essential in" for minor contributions. Reserve it for situations where the impact is truly significant and transformative, rather than simply helpful.
Source & Trust
88%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "has been essential in" functions as a predicate adjective expressing that something was indispensable or critically important for achieving a certain outcome. This is supported by the examples Ludwig provides, where the phrase is used to emphasize the necessity of various factors.
Frequent in
News & Media
32%
Science
48%
Academia
8%
Less common in
Formal & Business
8%
Wiki
4%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "has been essential in" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey that something was indispensable for a specific outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig, its usage spans across various domains, but is most prevalent in scientific and journalistic contexts. While versatile, reserve its use for contributions of genuine importance, rather than minor roles, for the best impact. Consider related phrases like "has been crucial for" or "has been vital for" to fine-tune your messaging. This phrase provides a clear and emphatic way to highlight key enabling factors in any analysis or description.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
has been crucial for
Emphasizes the critical importance of something.
has been vital for
Highlights that something is indispensable for success or survival.
has been instrumental in
Stresses the active role something plays in achieving a result.
has been key to
Indicates something is a significant factor in achieving a specific outcome.
has been paramount for
Emphasizes supreme importance or dominance.
has been indispensable for
Highlights the absolute necessity of something; it cannot be done without.
has been critical to
Underscores that something is of utmost importance, often in a decisive way.
has been significant in
Indicates a notable effect or influence.
has played a vital role in
Emphasizes the importance and active part that something has.
has been fundamental to
Highlights something forming a necessary base or core.
FAQs
How can I use "has been essential in" in a sentence?
Use "has been essential in" to highlight something that was indispensable or crucial for achieving a particular outcome. For example, "Teamwork has been essential in completing this project successfully."
What can I say instead of "has been essential in"?
You can use alternatives like "has been crucial for", "has been vital for", or "has been instrumental in" depending on the specific context.
Is it always appropriate to use "has been essential in"?
While grammatically correct, "has been essential in" should be used judiciously. Ensure that the element you're describing truly played a critical and indispensable role, rather than just a helpful one.
What is the difference between "has been important in" and "has been essential in"?
"Important" suggests something made a significant contribution, whereas "essential" indicates it was absolutely necessary and without it, the outcome would not have been possible. "Has been essential in" carries a stronger sense of necessity.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
88%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested