it is essential not to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is essential not to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when emphasizing the importance of avoiding a particular action or behavior. Example: "In order to maintain a healthy work-life balance, it is essential not to overcommit yourself to projects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

It is essential not to interrupt dialogue even on those issues where positions differ substantially.

The New York Times

In spite of all these frustrations, it is essential not to lose sight of the potential importance of the G20.

The Guardian - Opinion

For this reason it is essential not to compact soil around or anywhere near the base of trees.

The New York Times

To achieve success, it is essential not to eliminate international institutions but rather to understand their utility.

The Economist

"It is essential not to confuse the efforts of those who, like Ragip Zarakolu, have worked to bring down barriers of censorship in Turkey with those who press political agendas through violence," said Siems.

The Guardian - Books

Achieving a sentence that is just to all concerned, including the public, is ultimately more important than securing a guilty plea, and it is essential not to hold out inducements which will cause people who are innocent to plead guilty.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

It's essential not to shame anyone in a group, particularly this age group 15-188).

The Guardian

As it was essential not to inhibit oestrus and mating a shorter period of starvation was given.

Nature

Dr. Max Tegmark, a cosmologist at the University of Pennsylvania, said it was essential not to allow the successes of the theory to obscure the need to look deeper into the cosmos with satellites, ground-based telescopes and other instruments.

The New York Times

Last week, a State Department official described the tussle over the visit as a "fight to the finish" between security and anti-terrorist officials, who did not want Mr. Clinton to go, and those who believed it was essential not to write off Pakistan.

The New York Times

This is why it's essential not to give up on CPR before medical help arrives.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is essential not to" when emphasizing the serious consequences of an action. For milder situations, consider alternatives like "it is important not to".

Common error

Avoid using "it is essential not to" in every sentence; overuse diminishes its impact. Vary your language by choosing other phrases when the situation doesn't call for strong emphasis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is essential not to" functions as an emphasizer used to express the critical importance of avoiding a certain action or behavior. Ludwig indicates the grammatical correctness and usability of the phrase in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is essential not to" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase used to emphasize the importance of avoiding a specific action. According to Ludwig, the phrase is widely used in various writing contexts and is especially common in news, media, and scientific domains. While versatile, it's important to consider the register and choose alternative phrasings when a less formal or emphatic tone is more appropriate. Overusing this phrase can reduce its impact, so employing varied language is a good practice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is vital not to

Replaces "essential" with "vital", indicating critical importance in avoiding something.

it is crucial not to

Substitutes "essential" with "crucial", stressing a critical need to avoid something.

it is important not to

Replaces "essential" with "important", lessening the emphasis but maintaining the necessity to avoid something.

it is imperative not to

Uses "imperative" instead of "essential", conveying a strong sense of urgency in avoiding something.

it is necessary not to

Replaces "essential" with "necessary", indicating that something must be avoided.

one must not

A more formal way to express the importance of avoiding something.

it is advisable not to

Replaces "essential" with "advisable", suggesting a recommendation to avoid something rather than a necessity.

it's best not to

An informal way to express a recommendation to avoid something.

avoid

Simplifies the phrase to a single verb, indicating the act of preventing something.

refrain from

Indicates the action of holding oneself back from doing something.

FAQs

How to use "it is essential not to" in a sentence?

Use "it is essential not to" to highlight the importance of avoiding a specific action. For example, "When negotiating, it is essential not to reveal your bottom line too early."

What can I say instead of "it is essential not to"?

You can use alternatives like "it is crucial not to", "it is important not to", or "avoid" depending on the context.

Is it ever incorrect to use "it is essential not to"?

While grammatically correct, using "it is essential not to" might be inappropriate in informal situations where a less emphatic expression would be more suitable. For example, using "it's best not to" could be preferable.

What's the difference between "it is essential not to" and "it is essential to"?

"It is essential not to" emphasizes avoiding something, whereas "it is essential to" highlights the necessity of doing something. They have opposite meanings and should be used carefully to convey the intended message.