the essential thing is

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the essential thing is" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize the most important aspect or point in a discussion or argument. Example: "In any successful project, the essential thing is effective communication among team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

The essential thing is to know as little as possible.

The Guardian

The essential thing is that the seeing itself is joyful".

The New Yorker

The essential thing is to make a clear-cut start.

The Economist

The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well".

The New York Times

The essential thing is, Brian and I have done some spectacular things together.

The Guardian

"The essential thing is we love to combine," Mr. Ottesen said.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

The essential thing was to save the economy, as Geithner should know.

The Guardian - Money

For the police, the situation was unclear, and the essential thing was to find out whether Breivik had acted alone, or if there were more terrorists.

The New Yorker

"The essential thing was to win it; we showed that we could entertain in the other four matches," said France's coach, Marc Lièvremont.

The New York Times - Sports

Of course, there was no chance that my film would neglect all of this, but the essential thing was missing: the gas chambers, death in the gas chambers, which nobody ever returned from to give an account of it.

The New Yorker

The essential thing was to make the series as extensive as possible so that collector-smokers would not flirt with Bloggs's Virginia Gold and their golfers or racehorses.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the essential thing is" to clearly and directly emphasize the most important factor in a complex situation, ensuring your audience understands the core message immediately.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "the essential thing is", as this can make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, vary your sentence structure by using synonyms or rephrasing your ideas.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the essential thing is" functions as a sentence introducer or discourse marker, guiding the listener or reader to the core element or priority. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable form, emphasizing its role in directing attention to the most crucial aspect. Examples show its application in diverse contexts from news to personal advice.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the essential thing is" serves as a pivotal phrase used to highlight the most crucial aspect of a situation. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and usability across diverse contexts, spanning from news and media to scientific discourse. Its neutral register allows for flexible application in both formal and informal settings. When writing, consider varying sentence structures to avoid overuse and ensure clarity. Alternatives like "the key thing is" or "the most important thing is" can provide stylistic variation, while retaining the core message of emphasizing significance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the key thing is

Replaces "essential" with "key", emphasizing importance.

the most important thing is

Substitutes "essential" with "most important", directly indicating significance.

the crucial thing is

Uses "crucial" to denote something critically important.

the main thing is

Replaces "essential" with "main", focusing on the primary aspect.

the fundamental thing is

Highlights the basic or foundational aspect using "fundamental".

the critical aspect is

Focuses on the decisive element using "critical aspect".

the vital thing is

Emphasizes the necessary or life-sustaining element using "vital".

what matters most is

Shifts the focus to what holds the greatest significance.

the priority is

Directly states what should be given precedence.

the point is

Simplifies the phrasing while still conveying the core message.

FAQs

How can I use "the essential thing is" in a sentence?

Use "the essential thing is" to emphasize the most important aspect of a situation. For example, "When learning a new language, "the essential thing is" consistent practice."

What are some alternatives to "the essential thing is"?

You can use alternatives such as "the key thing is", "the most important thing is", or "the main thing is" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "the essential thing is" in formal writing?

Yes, "the essential thing is" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when you need to clearly highlight the most important point. However, ensure the tone remains professional and avoid overuse.

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

While both phrases highlight significance, "the essential thing is" often implies a fundamental or indispensable aspect, whereas "the important thing is" can refer to something that simply holds high value or relevance.