key to achieving

USAGE SUMMARY

"key to achieving" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that is necessary to reach a certain goal. For example: "Success in life is about finding the key to achieving your dreams."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Professional fulfilment is the key to achieving this.

The Guardian

So what's the key to achieving a successful outcome?

Harvard Business Review

Adaptability and entrepreneurship became key to achieving and sustaining success.

Harvard Business Review

The key to achieving both of those goals together?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

A trust may be the key to achieving your goals!

Cornell University

Ending the appalling inequalities in access to housing is key to achieving this.

The Guardian - Opinion

Stephen Kehoe said providing access is not enough though – usage is key to achieving scale.

The Guardian

Key to achieving this will be working with us: those most affected by inequality and discrimination.

The Guardian - Opinion

Green said consistent effort was key to achieving good levels of progress.

The Guardian

Designing and managing this self-reinforcing system is the key to achieving outstanding customer loyalty.

Harvard Business Review

Walmart's leadership position in the U.S. is undoubtedly the key to achieving its global ambitions.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "key to achieving", ensure that the noun following it is specific and actionable. For instance, instead of saying "Hard work is the key to achieving success", specify the area of hard work, like "Consistent practice is the key to achieving musical proficiency".

Common error

Avoid using "key to achieving" with vague or broad nouns. Statements like "Intelligence is the key to achieving everything" are less impactful than specifying what intelligence enables, such as "Critical thinking is the key to achieving effective problem-solving".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "key to achieving" functions as a subject complement or adjectival phrase, modifying a noun and indicating the essential element needed to reach a particular goal. As shown in Ludwig, the structure is widely used across a diverse range of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Academia

22%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Science

15%

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "key to achieving" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to emphasize the essential element required to attain a specific goal. According to Ludwig, it enjoys widespread usage across diverse contexts, from academia and business to news and general media. When using this phrase, it is best practice to avoid overgeneralizations and specify the actionable noun that it precedes. Semantically related alternatives include "essential for success" and "crucial for attainment". Based on Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Therefore, writers can confidently incorporate "key to achieving" into their work, provided they ensure clarity and specificity in their usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

essential for success

Replaces "key to achieving" with a more straightforward description of necessity for a positive outcome.

crucial for attainment

Substitutes "key" with "crucial" and "achieving" with "attainment", emphasizing the importance for reaching a goal.

vital for accomplishment

Similar to "crucial for attainment", but uses "accomplishment" to highlight the act of completing something successfully.

fundamental to reaching

Emphasizes the foundational nature of the element needed to "reaching" a specific target.

indispensable for realizing

Highlights the necessity of something for "realizing" a vision or plan.

a prerequisite for success

Replaces the entire phrase with a noun phrase indicating a necessary condition.

a cornerstone of achievement

Uses a metaphor to describe the element as a foundational part of "achievement".

central to fulfilling

Highlights the importance of something in "fulfilling" a purpose or goal.

the secret to success

Implies that if you do this, you will achieve success. It also can be understood as a way to reach success easily.

the linchpin for attainment

Emphasizes the functional importance of an element in achieving or "attaining" results.

FAQs

How can I use "key to achieving" in a sentence?

Use "key to achieving" to highlight the essential element for reaching a specific goal. For example: "Effective communication is the "key to achieving" successful teamwork."

What are some alternatives to "key to achieving"?

Alternatives include "essential for success", "crucial for attainment", or "vital for accomplishment", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "key to achieve" or "key to achieving"?

"Key to achieving" is grammatically correct because "to" functions as a preposition, requiring a gerund (achieving). "Key to achieve" is incorrect in standard English.

What makes "key to achieving" different from "important for achieving"?

"Key to achieving" implies a higher level of necessity or importance compared to "important for achieving". The former suggests an indispensable element, while the latter simply indicates something that helps.