is critical for

USAGE SUMMARY

"is critical for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when emphasizing the importance of something or when describing something as essential. For example: "Having access to clean water is critical for human survival."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Energy pricing is critical for both objectives.

The New York Times

The timing is critical for Mr Sarkozy.

Independent

A successful buyback is critical for Greece.

The New York Times

"And education is critical for that".

The New York Times

"It is critical for us".

The New York Times

And that is critical for the Redskins.

The New York Times - Sports

Prevention is critical for us in healthcare.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is critical for strengthening relationships.

The Guardian

This is critical for improving care.

Harvard Business Review

Regular maintenance is critical for winter operations.

Cornell University

Now, electing her is critical for the city.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is critical for" to emphasize the non-negotiable importance of a factor, condition, or element in achieving a desired outcome. This phrase adds weight to your statement and clarifies the essential nature of the subject.

Common error

While effective, overuse can diminish its impact. Vary your language by using synonyms like "essential", "vital", or "indispensable" to maintain reader engagement and emphasize different nuances of importance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is critical for" functions as a linking verb phrase, connecting a subject to a predicate adjective that describes its essential nature. It emphasizes the indispensable role of something, highlighting its necessity for a specific outcome or condition. Ludwig confirms this by providing numerous examples across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

23%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is critical for" is a widely used and grammatically correct phrase that emphasizes the essential nature of something. As confirmed by Ludwig, it appears frequently in News & Media and Scientific contexts, indicating its versatility and broad applicability. While "is critical for" is a powerful tool for stressing importance, avoid overuse and consider alternatives like "is essential for" or "is vital for" to diversify your writing and maintain impact. The phrase is suitable for neutral to formal registers, making it appropriate for professional, academic, and general communication settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is essential for

Emphasizes the fundamental and necessary nature of something.

is vital for

Highlights the indispensable role something plays in maintaining life or function.

is indispensable for

Stresses the impossibility of doing without something.

is paramount for

Elevates the importance of something to the highest level.

is key for

Indicates that something is a central and crucial element.

is fundamental for

Highlights something as a basic and necessary part.

is crucial for

Stresses the decisive importance of something.

is requisite for

Indicates that something is required or necessary for a particular purpose.

is necessary for

States a condition that must exist or be met.

is significant for

Suggests importance but might not imply absolute necessity.

FAQs

How do I use "is critical for" in a sentence?

Use "is critical for" to emphasize the importance of something. For example, "Effective communication is critical for successful teamwork."

What can I say instead of "is critical for"?

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

When should I use "is critical for" over "is important for"?

"Is critical for" emphasizes a higher degree of necessity than "is important for". Use "is critical for" when something is absolutely essential, while "is important for" can be used for something that is significant but not necessarily indispensable.

Is there a difference between "is critical for" and "is crucial for"?

The phrases "is critical for" and "is crucial for" are often used interchangeably. Both indicate a high degree of importance, but "is critical for" may suggest a more make-or-break scenario.