is critical

USAGE SUMMARY

"is critical" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is important or essential. For example, "a strong understanding of basic grammar rules is critical for successful writing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The choice is critical.

The New Yorker

Medical research is critical.

Independent

"The relationship is critical".

The New York Times

Technological innovation is critical.

The New York Times

Communication is critical.

The New York Times - Sports

The timing is critical.

The New York Times

She is critical.

The New York Times

Balance is critical.

The New York Times

Strategically, Kandahar is critical.

The New York Times

The support is critical.

The New York Times

Co-ordination is critical.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is critical" to clearly convey the high importance or necessity of something in a concise and impactful way. It works well in both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "is critical" is versatile, avoid overusing it in very casual conversations. Simpler alternatives like "is important" might sound more natural and less stiff in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is critical" functions as a predicate adjective, attributing a high degree of importance or necessity to the subject. Ludwig AI indicates it's grammatically correct and commonly used, underscoring its effectiveness in conveying significance. For example, "Communication is critical."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is critical" effectively conveys a high degree of importance or necessity across various contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used. Analysis of example sentences shows it's prevalent in news, scientific, and formal business writing, emphasizing vital aspects and actions. While versatile, consider the formality of your context; simpler alternatives might be preferable in casual conversations. Remember, effective and nuanced communication is key, and "is critical" is a powerful tool when used appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is essential

Replaces "critical" with "essential", maintaining the meaning of utmost importance.

is vital

Substitutes "critical" with "vital", emphasizing the necessity for success or survival.

is paramount

Replaces "critical" with "paramount", highlighting the supreme importance of something.

is indispensable

Substitutes "critical" with "indispensable", stressing that something is absolutely necessary.

is crucial

Replaces "critical" with "crucial", indicating a decisive or extremely important factor.

is of the essence

Replaces "critical" with a more idiomatic expression, emphasizing the urgency and importance.

is a necessity

Replaces "critical" with a noun phrase, highlighting the need for something.

holds great importance

Uses a more descriptive phrase to convey the significance of something, rather than a direct synonym.

plays a key role

Focuses on the function of something being important, rather than its inherent criticality.

is a key factor

Highlights that something is one of the most important element to be considered.

FAQs

How can I use "is critical" in a sentence?

Use "is critical" to emphasize the importance of a specific element or action. For example, "Effective communication is critical for team success."

What are some alternatives to "is critical"?

You can use alternatives like "is essential", "is vital", or "is crucial" depending on the specific context.

Is it always appropriate to use "is critical" in formal writing?

Yes, "is critical" is generally appropriate for formal writing, especially when you need to emphasize the high level of importance of a particular aspect or action. However, always consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing.

What is the difference between "is critical" and "is important"?

While both phrases denote significance, "is critical" conveys a higher degree of importance and necessity than "is important". Use "is critical" when something is absolutely essential and could determine success or failure.