is the key to

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "is the key to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are connecting two phrases and the second phrase is dependent on the first phrase. For example, "An understanding of the subject is the key to success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Emotion is the key to empathy.

The New Yorker

Skiing is the key to all this.

Independent

Tolerance is the key to our relationship.

Independent

Collaboration is the key to creativity.

The New Yorker

Distribution is the key to freedom.

The New Yorker

What is the key to your longevity?

The New York Times

That is the key to it.

Independent

It is "the key to everything".

The New Yorker

Diversification is the key to survival.

Forbes

Reputation is the key to success.

Forbes

Photosynthesis is the key to plant growth.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is the key to" when emphasizing the single most important factor for achieving a specific result. Ensure that the relationship between the 'key' and the outcome is clear and logical.

Common error

Avoid using "is the key to" excessively in a single piece of writing. Overuse can weaken its impact and make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, diversify your vocabulary by using synonyms like "is crucial for" or "is essential to".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is the key to" functions as a linking verb phrase, connecting a subject with a noun phrase that identifies it as the most crucial element for achieving a specific outcome. Ludwig AI validates that this phrase is commonly used and grammatically correct. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

44%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is the key to" is a versatile and widely used expression for emphasizing the crucial element needed to achieve a specific outcome. As validated by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and appears frequently in various contexts, especially in Wiki and News & Media sources. While "is the key to" is effective for highlighting importance, it's important to avoid overuse and consider using synonyms like "is crucial for" or "is essential to" for stylistic variation. Understanding its function and purpose can enhance the clarity and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is crucial for

Emphasizes the importance of something but uses a different adjective.

is essential to

Highlights the necessity of something for a particular outcome.

is vital for

Stresses the critical importance of something.

is fundamental to

Indicates that something forms a necessary base or core.

is paramount for

Highlights the supreme importance of something.

is the foundation of

Focuses on the role of something as a base or support.

is instrumental in

Highlights something that helps cause something to happen.

is a prerequisite for

Emphasizes something that is required before something else can happen.

hinges on

Implies that an outcome is entirely dependent on something.

is the secret to

Suggests a hidden or not-so-obvious element contributing to success.

FAQs

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

Use "is the key to" to highlight the most important element needed to achieve a specific outcome. For example, "Discipline is the key to learning".

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

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

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

While "key for" is sometimes used, "is the key to" is the more standard and grammatically preferred construction when indicating a crucial element or solution.

What's the difference between "is the key to" and "is important for"?

"Is the key to" implies that something is the single most important factor, while "is important for" suggests that something is one of several significant factors.