indispensable to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "indispensable to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective phrase used to indicate the importance of something or someone. For example: A good night's sleep is indispensable to having a productive day.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Disclosure is indispensable to addressing these concerns.

The New York Times

They are almost indispensable to some industries.

The New Yorker

Mr Heywood is indispensable to this strategy.

The Economist

They are indispensable to its full implementation.

The Guardian

Mr Abbado is indispensable to that.

The Guardian - Opinion

"They are indispensable to our food production.

The Guardian

They've made themselves absolutely indispensable to the international system.

The Guardian

Pipette tips are pretty much indispensable to a molecular biologist.

The Guardian

My ability to draw made me indispensable to my parents".

The Guardian - Arts

A medical expert is indispensable to a medical malpractice case.

The New York Times

What one item is indispensable to life in your city?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "indispensable to" to emphasize that something is absolutely necessary and cannot be done without. For example, "Teamwork is indispensable to the success of this project."

Common error

Avoid using "indispensable to" in contexts where a simpler word like "important" or "necessary" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound overly formal or dramatic. Instead of saying "Water is indispensable to life", consider "Water is essential for life".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "indispensable to" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, indicating that the noun is absolutely essential or necessary for something else. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase. For example, "A medical expert is indispensable to a medical malpractice case."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "indispensable to" is a powerful adjective phrase used to highlight the essential nature of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and its frequent use across news, science, and business contexts demonstrates its versatility. When writing, use "indispensable to" to strongly convey that something is absolutely necessary, but be mindful of overuse in simpler contexts. Consider alternatives like "essential for" or "critical for" to add variety to your writing. By understanding its function and purpose, you can effectively use "indispensable to" to strengthen your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

essential for

Focuses on necessity but uses 'for' instead of 'to'.

critical for

Emphasizes the importance of something to a situation or outcome, rather than its irreplaceable nature.

vital for

Highlights the importance of something for maintaining life or functionality.

necessary for

Indicates something is needed to achieve a specific result or maintain a condition.

crucial for

Highlights that something is extremely important and decisive.

requisite for

Indicates that something is required or necessary, often by rule or circumstance.

fundamental to

Highlights something that serves as a basic element or foundation.

integral to

Focuses on something being an essential part of a whole.

key to

Indicates something is essential for unlocking or achieving a particular outcome.

a must-have for

Highlights something as highly desirable and practically essential.

FAQs

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

Use "indispensable to" to describe something or someone that is absolutely necessary or essential for a particular purpose. For example, "A skilled negotiator is "indispensable to" reaching a successful agreement".

What can I say instead of "indispensable to"?

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

Is it correct to say "indispensable for" instead of "indispensable to"?

While "indispensable to" is the more standard and widely accepted form, "indispensable for" can be used in certain contexts, although it is less common. It's generally safer to stick with "indispensable to" to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness.

What is the difference between "indispensable to" and "necessary to"?

"Indispensable to" implies that something is absolutely essential and irreplaceable, whereas "necessary to" simply means that something is required or needed. "Indispensable" carries a stronger sense of importance than "necessary".