is key to

USAGE SUMMARY

'is key to' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to emphasize that something is essential in order to achieve a certain result. For example, "Maintaining a healthy diet is key to staying fit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Selectivity is key to its success.

The Economist

Branding is key to C3's vision.

The New York Times - Arts

Variety is key to his working methods.

Independent

Education is key to that.

The Guardian

Relevance is key to success.

The Guardian

Cruise is key to that.

The Guardian - Film

"Information is key to everything.

The Guardian - Tech

It is key to England's bowling strategy.

The Guardian - Sport

Botham is key to YFTB's existence.

The Guardian

"Water is key to agricultural production.

The Guardian

That is key to a decent society.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is key to" when you want to emphasize that something is absolutely necessary or central to achieving a specific outcome. For example, "Effective communication is key to building strong relationships."

Common error

While "is key to" is widely accepted, avoid overusing it, especially in informal contexts. Opt for simpler alternatives like "helps with" or "is important for" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is key to" functions as a linking phrase, connecting a subject with an attribute that emphasizes its importance or necessity. As Ludwig AI highlights, it asserts that something is indispensable for achieving a particular outcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is key to" serves as a versatile expression for highlighting the indispensable nature of a factor or element. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase in English writing, carrying a sense of emphasis on what is essential for achieving a specific result. Analysis of usage patterns reveals its frequent appearance in News & Media, Wiki entries, and Scientific publications, reinforcing its broad applicability. Remember to avoid overuse in informal writing, and you can also consider related phrases like "is essential for" or "is vital for" for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is essential for

Focuses on necessity but is more direct and less metaphorical.

is vital for

Highlights importance, often in life-sustaining or critical contexts.

is crucial for

Similar in meaning, but emphasizes a decision-making point.

is paramount for

Elevates the sense of importance to the highest degree.

is fundamental to

Indicates a basic, foundational element.

is integral to

Emphasizes being an essential part of the whole.

is critical to

Highlights a decisive or make-or-break element.

is significant for

Indicates importance but is less emphatic.

is indispensable for

Suggests that something is absolutely necessary and cannot be done without.

is requisite for

Implies a formal requirement or condition.

FAQs

How can I use "is key to" in a sentence?

Use "is key to" to highlight the essential element needed to achieve a goal. For example, "Teamwork "is key to" success in this project."

What are some alternatives to "is key to"?

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

Is it correct to say "is key for" instead of "is key to"?

While both phrases convey importance, ""is key to"" is the more idiomatic and widely accepted expression. "Is key for" may sound awkward to native English speakers.

When is it best to use "is key to" in writing?

"Is key to" is suitable for situations where you want to emphasize that a particular factor is indispensable or fundamental for a specific result. It's common in news, academic, and professional contexts.