mission critical

USAGE SUMMARY

"mission critical" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is essential or essential in order to achieve a goal or to complete a mission. For example: "The success of the project depends on mission critical features being ready on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

Mind you Mission Critical: Hubble is on Discovery.

The Guardian - Sport

EYP Mission Critical Facilities, Inc. Architects' brochures, #8051.

Cornell University

What are the 1 2 things that are mission critical today?

Harvard Business Review

For these "mission critical" cases, Microsoft has a Long Term Servicing Branch (LTSB).

The Guardian - Tech

It is mission critical for the NHS to improve how it supports them to manage.

The Guardian

My heart says: Mission critical — help those Afghans who want decent government.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

Budget is mission-critical.

The Washington Post

They are said to be "mission-critical".

The Guardian

These won't be mission-critical jobs.

Harvard Business Review

It's a vendor relationship, not a mission-critical function.

The New York Times

It's a nice extra, perhaps, but not mission-critical.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mission critical" to emphasize the absolute necessity of a task, function, or system. This term is especially impactful when conveying the severity of potential consequences if it fails.

Common error

Avoid using "mission critical" too frequently, as it can dilute the impact of the phrase and make everything seem equally important. Reserve it for truly essential elements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mission critical" primarily functions as a compound adjective modifying a noun. It describes the noun as being essential or vital for the success of a particular task or operation. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is correct and widely accepted in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mission critical" is a widely used and grammatically sound phrase that acts as a compound adjective to emphasize the vital importance of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts. It's frequently found in news, science, and business communications, highlighting elements essential to achieving specific goals. While powerful, overuse can diminish its impact; therefore, reserve it for situations where absolute necessity needs to be conveyed. Alternatives such as "critically important" or "absolutely essential" can provide nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

critically important

Emphasizes the high degree of importance, slightly more formal.

absolutely essential

Highlights the necessity, adds a degree of emphasis.

vitally important

Stresses the importance to survival or success.

indispensable

Highlights the necessity of something, suggesting it cannot be done without.

fundamentally crucial

Emphasizes the foundational nature of the importance.

top priority

Shifts focus from inherent importance to its position in a list of priorities.

high priority

Similar to top priority, denotes relative importance.

utterly vital

Emphasizes how indispensable something is.

key requirement

Specifies the term is a requisite.

cornerstone

Implies that something is essential to the structure and existence of something else.

FAQs

How can I use "mission critical" in a sentence?

You can use "mission critical" to describe tasks, systems, or components that are essential to the success or operation of something. For example, "Data security is "mission critical" for our business."

What are some alternatives to "mission critical"?

Alternatives include "critically important", "absolutely essential", or "vitally important". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "mission critical" formal or informal?

"Mission critical" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it's more commonly used in professional or technical settings. Its appropriateness depends on the audience and the overall tone of your writing.

What does "mission critical" mean?

"Mission critical" means that something is essential or vital for the success of a particular mission or operation. If it fails or is not performed correctly, the entire endeavor could be jeopardized.