integral

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "integral" is a correct word that can be used in written English.
It is an adjective that means "necessary for completeness". For example, "Collaboration is an integral part of any successful project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Public pensions and medical care for the aged have become fixed, integral parts of American life.

The Economist

The force is down by more than 3,300 nurses, including 2,000 district nurses who provide care for people in their own homes or residential institutions – a 28% cut to what the RCN says is an integral part of the community workforce.

The Guardian

This overlooks the fact that the two can rarely be ­separated: a facade could be an integral part of a building's structure, as well as providing its main artistic thrust.

The Guardian - Arts

The idea was that memes, viral videos, and remixed content will move from the fringes to an integral part of everyone's content diet.

The Guardian

The community of climbers Potter belonged to is an integral part of making outdoor recreation safer.

The Guardian - Sport

The University of Kent say: "Our Medway campus is an integral part of the university and the facilities and initiatives offered to students there are comparable with those offered at the main campus.

The Guardian

Clinton spokesman Tyrone Gayle said outreach to black voters will continue to be an integral part of her campaign.

The Guardian

Kennedy later became an integral part of her family: her daughter worked as his personal assistant in Inverness for 25 years, her grandchildren were his footsoldiers delivering leaflets, and her husband held a cord at the funeral of Kennedy's mother.

The Guardian

Francis Leach is an integral part of the overall ABC broadcast strategy for the Asian Cup.

The Guardian - Sport

Nearly 20 years after the Beijing declaration, where governments committed to ensuring that "the full implementation of the human rights of women and of the girl child as an inalienable, integral and indivisible part of all human rights and fundamental freedoms", too many young girls are still excluded from school, forced into early marriage, not seen and not heard.

The Guardian

His use of the airbrush soon became integral to his art, bringing a slick smoothness to images which oscillated between the grisly and the sensuous, often accommodating both.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "integral" to emphasize that something is not just important, but absolutely necessary and fundamentally linked to the whole. For example, "Trust is an "integral" component of any successful relationship."

Common error

Avoid using "integral" when "important" or "significant" would suffice. "Integral" implies a part that is essential and inseparable from the whole, not just something that adds value. For example, instead of saying, "Feedback is "integral" to the process", consider "Feedback is important to the process" if it's not absolutely essential.

Linguistic Context

The word "integral" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that the noun is an essential or necessary part of something. Ludwig AI confirms its proper use in various contexts, exemplified in sentences illustrating its role in defining indispensable components, as seen in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "integral" signifies something essential and fundamentally necessary. Ludwig AI affirms its correct usage, highlighting its prevalence across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "essential" or "crucial" exist, "integral" distinctly emphasizes inseparability from the whole. Remember to reserve "integral" for components that are truly indispensable, avoiding overuse when simpler terms like "important" would suffice. The phrase's high source quality and consistent application make it a reliable choice for expressing critical necessity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

essential

Focuses on the importance and necessity of something.

indispensable

Highlights that something cannot be done without.

crucial

Emphasizes the critical importance of something.

fundamental

Indicates that something is a basic and necessary part.

vital

Stresses that something is necessary for the survival or success of something.

inherent

Suggests that something is naturally part of something else.

requisite

Highlights that something is required or necessary.

constituent

Emphasizes that something forms a component of a larger whole.

elemental

Focuses on the basic or essential nature of something.

basic

Highlights the fundamental and necessary character of something.

FAQs

How to use "integral" in a sentence?

"Integral" is used to describe something that is essential or necessary for completeness. For example, "Honesty is an "integral" part of any healthy relationship."

What can I say instead of "integral"?

You can use alternatives like "essential", "indispensable", or "crucial" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "integral part of" or "integrated part of"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they have different meanings. "Integral part of" means that something is an essential component, while "integrated part of" means that something has been combined or incorporated into something else.

What's the difference between "integral" and "essential"?

"Integral" implies a component that is fundamentally necessary for the completeness of the whole. "Essential" simply means highly important or necessary, but doesn't necessarily imply inseparability or fundamental completeness in the same way.