it's essential

USAGE SUMMARY

'it's essential' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize the importance of something. For example, "It's essential that we take the proper safety precautions before beginning the experiment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"It's essential".

The New York Times

"I think it's essential.

Independent

It's essential work.

The New Yorker

It's essential cinema — nonetheless.

The New Yorker

It's essential for us".

The New York Times

It's essential listening.

The Guardian - Music

"It's essential," she said.

The New York Times

It's essential reading.

The Guardian - Sport

More than that — it's essential.

The New York Times

"In my opinion it's essential.

The New York Times

"But it's essential to me".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it's essential" when you need to signal that a specific action or condition is non-negotiable for success. It works best when followed by a 'that' clause or an infinitive phrase, such as "It's essential to check the facts" or "It's essential that we meet the deadline."

Common error

Do not qualify "it's essential" with adverbs like 'very' or 'highly'. Since essential describes something that is absolutely necessary, it is an absolute adjective. Adding 'very' is logically redundant and can weaken your professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it's essential" is an impersonal construction consisting of the pronoun 'it', the contracted verb 'is' and the predicate adjective 'essential'. Its primary function is to assert a necessity or a fundamental requirement. According to Ludwig AI, it frequently serves as a matrix clause introducing a complement, typically a 'that-clause' or a 'to-infinitive' phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Social Media

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it's essential" is a powerful and grammatically correct tool for emphasizing necessity in English. Ludwig AI data demonstrates its vast prevalence in high-tier journalism and scientific literature, where it is used to denote non-negotiable conditions. While it is synonymous with phrases like "it's vital" and "it's crucial", it stands out for its clarity and authoritative weight. Writers should use it to guide the reader's attention to the most critical elements of a topic, ensuring that its absolute nature is not diluted by unnecessary modifiers. Whether used in a business proposal or a medical research paper, it remains one of the most reliable ways to express that something is indispensable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's crucial

implies a decisive or pivotal point of importance

it's vital

suggests something is necessary for the life or success of an endeavor

it's indispensable

highlights that the subject cannot be set aside or done without

it's imperative

conveys a sense of duty, command or extreme urgency

it's necessary

provides a more neutral and frequent alternative for daily use

it is fundamental

emphasizes that something serves as a core or base requirement

it's paramount

indicates that the importance is superior to all other matters

it is key

uses a metaphorical term common in business and casual contexts

it is requisite

often used in formal or technical lists of requirements

it's mandatory

implies a legal or compulsory obligation rather than just a high priority

FAQs

What can I say instead of "it's essential"?

You can use synonyms like "it's crucial", "it's vital" or "it's imperative" depending on the specific nuance of urgency you wish to convey.

Is "it's essential" formal enough for academic writing?

Yes, it is widely used in academic and scientific contexts. Ludwig AI shows numerous examples from sources like the BMJ and BMC Health Services Research where the phrase is used to highlight critical findings or requirements.

What is the difference between "it's essential" and "it's important"?

While "it's important" indicates significance, "it's essential" denotes that something is absolutely necessary and cannot be omitted without causing failure.

Should I use a comma after "it's essential"?

Generally, no. You only use a comma if it is followed by an introductory parenthetical expression, such as "It's essential, however, to know your limits."