key individuals

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "key individuals" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to important or influential people in a specific context, such as a project, organization, or event. Example: "The success of the initiative largely depended on the contributions of key individuals within the organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Some key individuals can make a serious impact.

The Guardian

That requires advance trust-building between key individuals.

The Guardian - Opinion

Here are some of the key individuals who will decide the outcome of the talks.

The Guardian

"They were two key individuals needed to make absolutely sure that this ran properly," he said.

The Guardian

7. Target key individuals Threaten civil servants, artists and academics with job loss if they don't toe the line.

The Guardian

A second may be the absence, since 2009, of key individuals committed to the relationship in the White House.

The Guardian

"We are actively investigating key individuals in the UK and are seeking to disrupt their activities," the document says.

The Guardian

"Leadership's failure to respond to concerns and observations by key individuals exacerbated circumstances that led to the entrapment," it said.

The New York Times

As Macpherson said, success comes with having three or four key individuals with lots of expertise and spare time.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And he is spending his summer quietly visiting key individuals – including some of the council's most vociferous critics – trying to understand the issues at lab level.

The Guardian

Quite possibly, failure will be seen as career-ending for key individuals, notably Christine Lagarde, Angela Merkel and perhaps Jean-Claude Juncker.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Replace "key individuals" with more specific terms when possible, like "project leaders" or "principal investigators", to add clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "key individuals" when a more specific term would provide better clarity. Instead of saying "The project relied on several key individuals", specify their roles or expertise, such as "The project relied on the lead engineer and the data analyst".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "key individuals" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a group of people considered important or essential in a particular context. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "key individuals" is a commonly used and grammatically sound term to describe influential people within a specific context. According to Ludwig, it is generally deemed correct and suitable for a wide range of writing scenarios. While versatile, opting for more specific alternatives like "team leaders" or "main stakeholders" can provide greater clarity. With frequent appearances in "News & Media" and "Science" publications, this phrase maintains a neutral register, fitting formal discussions. As an alternative approach, consider using phrases such as "leading figures", "principal actors", or "significant players".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leading figures

This alternative emphasizes the prominence and influence of the individuals.

principal actors

This emphasizes the role of the individuals as active participants in a situation.

significant players

This highlights their importance and impact within a particular field or situation.

central personnel

This focuses on the essential nature of these individuals to an organization or operation.

core members

This suggests a group of essential people forming the nucleus of a team or organization.

essential contributors

This highlights their role in providing something vital to a project or cause.

critical personnel

Emphasizes the individuals' importance to the success or functioning of a system.

influential people

This focuses on the power and reach of these individuals.

major stakeholders

This highlights their investment and interest in an organization or project.

driving forces

This highlights the power of the individuals to make changes and influence events.

FAQs

How can I use "key individuals" in a sentence?

You can use "key individuals" to refer to important people within a specific context. For example, "The success of the project depended on several key individuals." or "The organization recognized the contributions of its key individuals."

What are some alternatives to "key individuals"?

Some alternatives to "key individuals" include "leading figures", "principal actors", or "significant players", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "key individuals" or a more specific term?

While "key individuals" is acceptable, using a more specific term like "team leaders", "main stakeholders", or "primary researchers" can often provide greater clarity and precision depending on your specific context.

What does the term "key individuals" imply?

The term "key individuals" implies that the people being referenced are particularly important or influential within a specific setting. It suggests their contributions are essential for success or progress.