is key to understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is key to understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are trying to describe the importance of something for gaining understanding. For example, "Learning the basics of composition is key to understanding the complex art of music."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is key to understanding what is replicable about Syriza, and what is not.

The Guardian

Journalist Ticky Hedley Dent shot back: "I think #Mumsnet is key to understanding feminism.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The effect that living under two dictatorships has had on Baselitz is key to understanding him.

The Guardian - Arts

Knowing about the metrics is key to understanding the validity of the total.

The Guardian

This is key to understanding the mysteries of the cinema of Claire Denis.

The Guardian - Film

It is key to understanding diseases and disorders, including Alzheimer's and autism.

The Guardian

That word "spinster" is key to understanding Pym's persistent and seemingly resurgent appeal.

The New Yorker

Distress over this economic situation is key to understanding the high turnout on Diada.

The New York Times

And this is key to understanding Tribe.

TechCrunch

This is key to understanding OpenIO's future.

TechCrunch

And this is key to understanding how Ulysses stands out.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is key to understanding" to clearly signal the most important element for comprehension when explaining complex subjects.

Common error

Avoid using "is key to understanding" in overly simple sentences. It can sound unnecessarily emphatic when a simpler phrase would suffice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is key to understanding" functions as a predicate nominative, attributing a characteristic of utmost importance to a subject, indicating it's crucial for achieving comprehension. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which validates its correct usage in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Reference

5%

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is key to understanding" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to highlight the crucial importance of a particular element for achieving comprehension. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is widely used across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. While the phrase is most effective in emphasizing essential elements, avoid overusing it in simpler contexts where it might sound unnecessarily emphatic. Alternatives such as "is crucial for comprehension" or "is essential for grasping" can offer nuanced variations depending on the specific meaning you intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is crucial for comprehension

Emphasizes the critical importance of something for achieving comprehension.

is essential for grasping

Highlights the necessity of something for properly grasping or understanding a concept.

is vital for apprehending

Stresses the significance of something in the process of apprehending or perceiving something.

is fundamental to knowing

Indicates that something forms a basic and essential foundation for knowledge.

is paramount for perceiving

Underscores the supreme importance of something in how something is perceived.

is significant for interpreting

Focuses on the importance of something for correctly interpreting information.

is central to deciphering

Highlights the key role of something in unraveling or deciphering a complex concept.

is pivotal for realizing

Emphasizes that something is a turning point for realization or understanding.

is integral to appreciating

Indicates something is an essential part needed to fully appreciate something.

is indispensable for recognizing

Highlights that something is necessary and cannot be dispensed with for recognition or understanding.

FAQs

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

You can use "is key to understanding" to emphasize the importance of a particular element in comprehending a topic, for example: "Patience "is key to understanding" complex mathematical concepts."

What are some alternatives to "is key to understanding"?

Alternatives include phrases like "is crucial for comprehension", "is essential for grasping", or "is vital for apprehending", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to use "is key to understanding" or "is important for understanding"?

"Is key to understanding" implies a higher level of importance than "is important for understanding". Use "is key" when you want to highlight the single most crucial element for comprehension.

What makes "is key to understanding" different from "helps in understanding"?

"Is key to understanding" suggests that without understanding that particular element, comprehension is impossible. "Helps in understanding" simply means that something facilitates or aids comprehension, but isn't necessarily essential.