indispensable person

USAGE SUMMARY

"indispensable person" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone who is very important or necessary for a particular task or situation. You can use it in a sentence like: My assistant Jane is an indispensable person for our company's success; she is always organized, efficient, and knowledgeable about all aspects of our business.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"The cardinal rule is there's only one indispensable person in any administration: the president," said Kenneth M. Duberstein, the Reagan White House chief of staff.

The New York Times

Other courses of action risk losing the continuing participation of Mr. Trimble, a onetime intransigent Protestant leader whose transformation into moderate deal-broker within his party has made him something of an indispensable person in British eyes.

The New York Times

He was the indispensable person in the transformation of Greentree from a private home to a unique, welcoming environment in which visitors from around the world came to negotiate agreements and discuss issues of peace, social justice, and international cooperation.

The New York Times

Credited by Cummings with winning the referendum: he described her as "the most indispensable person in the campaign – if she'd gone under a bus, Remain would have won". Vote Leave's powerful 'Voter Intention Collection System' (Vics) software was named after her.

The Guardian

The club statement continued: "Gregory was only one-and-a-half years at the club, but in that short time his quiet modesty made him an indispensable person.

BBC

An indispensable person is someone who is always there, dependable, reliable at the drop of a hat but is not necessarily the one who gets the trophy, or gets noticed for the right reasons.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"Indispensable" — well, in the economy of the Kingdom of God there simply are no indispensable persons other than the King himself (or the Queen herself).

The New Yorker

By making the implied person indispensable to our understanding of literary form, this book offers a forward-looking avenue for contemporary narrative theory.

Princeton University

Van Sickle offers this indispensable trick: The person with the empty glass will say, 'la mer est basse' which translates directly as 'the sea is low' or 'the tide is out,' to hint that it's time to dispense more wine.

Forbes

In Poland, a newspaper subscription tends to satisfy purely intellectual needs and is regarded as somewhat of a luxury which the majority of the people can heroically forego; in the United States a newspaper is regarded as a basic need of every person, indispensable as bread itself.

Forbes

The most replaceable assistants feel hysterically indispensable and the person who should be keeping them in line is completely insane.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone as an "indispensable person", provide specific examples of their contributions to illustrate their value. For example, instead of saying "She's an indispensable person", say "She's an "indispensable person" because she always finds solutions to complex problems and ensures projects are completed on time."

Common error

Avoid using "indispensable person" too frequently, as it can lose its impact. Instead, vary your language by using synonyms like "essential individual" or "key figure" to maintain the reader's interest and emphasize different facets of the person's importance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "indispensable person" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "indispensable" modifies the noun "person". It's used to describe someone who is considered essential or crucial in a particular context. The phrase highlights the person's importance and suggests they cannot be easily replaced, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

17%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "indispensable person" effectively describes an individual whose contributions are considered essential in a particular context. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and conveys the importance and irreplaceable nature of the person. While its frequency is uncommon, appearing primarily in news and media, Wiki and academic settings, the phrase carries a strong connotation of value and necessity. When using "indispensable person", remember to provide specific examples to support the claim and consider varying your language with synonyms like "essential individual" or "key figure" to avoid repetition. Ludwig's examples showcase how the phrase is used across various sources, highlighting its versatility and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

crucial person

Replaces "indispensable" with "crucial", emphasizing the person's necessity.

key individual

Uses "key" instead of "indispensable", highlighting the person's importance.

vital person

Substitutes "indispensable" with "vital", conveying the importance of the person.

essential individual

Replaces "indispensable" with "essential" and "person" with "individual", slightly altering the tone.

irreplaceable person

Indicates that the person cannot be easily substituted.

critical figure

Replaces "person" with "figure", suggesting a more prominent role.

central figure

Emphasizes the person's role as a focal point.

go-to person

Colloquial term for someone reliable and always sought after.

linchpin

Uses a single word to describe someone essential to a system or organization.

cornerstone

Implies the person is a fundamental and essential part of something.

FAQs

How can I use "indispensable person" in a sentence?

You can use "indispensable person" to describe someone whose contributions are essential to a team or organization. For example: "Our project manager is an "indispensable person" because of her ability to keep everyone on track."

What can I say instead of "indispensable person"?

You can use alternatives like "essential individual", "key figure", or "crucial person" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "indispensable person" or "essential person"?

"Indispensable person" and "essential person" are quite similar. "Indispensable" emphasizes that the person is virtually impossible to do without, while "essential" highlights the person's importance and necessity.

What makes someone an "indispensable person" in a workplace?

An "indispensable person" in a workplace often possesses a unique combination of skills, experience, and dedication that makes them crucial to the organization's success. They consistently deliver high-quality work, solve problems effectively, and contribute positively to the team.