imperative to

USAGE SUMMARY

"imperative to" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is used to indicate that something is necessary or important to do. For example: "It is imperative to ensure that the safety protocols are followed correctly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

It was imperative to locate the dog.

The New Yorker

Aston's haircut is imperative to the band.

The Guardian

Houston's mobility is imperative to stopping Miller.

The New York Times - Sports

Linda was imperative to our success.

The New York Times

"It's imperative to pay the living wage.

The Guardian

He had an inherent imperative to follow this vocation.

The Guardian - Books

It's also imperative to work with decision makers and planners.

The Guardian

There is also an economic imperative to move toward integration.

The New Yorker

There is, of course, an economic imperative to be online.

The Guardian

It then becomes imperative to keep one's concentration intact.

The New York Times - Sports

It becomes imperative to Anil to identify this skeleton.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "imperative to", ensure that the subject performing the action is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of "It is imperative to act now", specify who needs to act: "It is imperative for the government to act now".

Common error

While "imperative to" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "necessary" or "crucial" in informal settings to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "imperative to" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying an implied or stated verb. It highlights the crucial or necessary nature of an action or condition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a commonly used and grammatically sound expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "imperative to" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to emphasize the critical importance or necessity of an action. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is commonly used in written English to highlight something that is crucial or indispensable. Its use is prevalent in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, signaling a formal register. While effective in conveying urgency, it's advisable to consider simpler alternatives in informal settings to maintain a natural tone. When employing "imperative to", clearly define the acting subject and consider the best practices to maximize clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

essential for

Replaces "imperative" with "essential" and uses "for" instead of "to", slightly altering the structure.

critical for

Substitutes "imperative" with "critical", conveying a sense of high importance but with a slightly different emphasis.

vital for

Replaces "imperative" with "vital", highlighting the indispensable nature of something.

necessary for

Uses "necessary" instead of "imperative", indicating a requirement or condition that must be met.

crucial for

Similar to "critical", emphasizing the decisive importance of something, but using different wording.

indispensable for

Replaces "imperative" with "indispensable", stressing that something is absolutely essential and cannot be done without.

paramount for

Emphasizes the supreme importance of something, placing it at the highest level of significance.

of the essence for

A more emphatic way of saying something is absolutely necessary or crucial.

a must for

A more informal way of saying something is required or essential.

obligatory for

Indicates a requirement that is morally or legally binding.

FAQs

How can I use "imperative to" in a sentence?

Use "imperative to" to emphasize that something is crucial or necessary. For example, "It is "imperative to" follow safety protocols".

What are some alternatives to saying "imperative to"?

You can use alternatives like "essential for", "critical for", or "vital for" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "imperative to" or "important to"?

"Imperative to" conveys a stronger sense of necessity than "important to". Use "imperative to" when the action is crucial and unavoidable. "Important to" is suitable when the action is significant but not absolutely critical.

What's the difference between "imperative to" and "necessary to"?

"Imperative to" emphasizes urgency and crucial importance, while "necessary to" simply indicates a requirement. "Imperative" suggests that failure to act will have serious consequences.