they are essential

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'they are essential' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are describing something that is necessary in order to accomplish a certain task. For example, "Teamwork and communication are essential for a successful project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

But they are essential.

The New York Times

They are essential for survival.

The Guardian

Post-Katrina, they are essential.

The New York Times

They are essential to protecting the system.

The New York Times

"Artistically they are essential to the field".

The New York Times - Arts

They are essential components of flexible cities.

The Guardian

But they are essential pillars of civilisation.

The Guardian

Today they are essential to economic recovery.

The Guardian - Opinion

They are essential to my art.

The Guardian

They are essential tools in the United States arsenal.

The New York Times

"These changes seem small, but they are essential.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they are essential", ensure the context clearly establishes what "they" refers to, avoiding ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "they are essential" without providing specific reasons or examples to support the claim. Vague statements weaken the impact of the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they are essential" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the subject's necessary or crucial nature. Ludwig AI confirms its broad applicability across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

43%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they are essential" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to emphasize the necessity or critical importance of a subject. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is widely applicable across diverse contexts, predominantly in News & Media and Science. While it maintains a neutral register, synonyms like "they are crucial" or "they are indispensable" may be considered for a more formal tone. To ensure clarity, always define "they" and provide context. With its high frequency and clear purpose, mastering the usage of "they are essential" is beneficial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they are indispensable

Replaces "essential" with "indispensable", emphasizing the necessity of the subject.

they are crucial

Substitutes "essential" with "crucial", highlighting the critical importance of the subject.

they are vital

Replaces "essential" with "vital", stressing the life-sustaining or extremely important nature of the subject.

they are necessary

Uses "necessary" instead of "essential", indicating a requirement.

they are fundamental

Substitutes "essential" with "fundamental", focusing on the foundational importance of the subject.

they are paramount

Replaces "essential" with "paramount", stressing the supreme importance of the subject.

they are key

Uses "key" instead of "essential", highlighting the central or critical role of the subject.

they are requisite

Substitutes "essential" with "requisite", indicating something required or necessary.

they are integral

Replaces "essential" with "integral", stressing the completeness or necessity of the subject to the whole.

they are mandatory

Uses "mandatory" instead of "essential", indicating something required by law or rules.

FAQs

How can I use "they are essential" in a sentence?

Use "they are essential" to emphasize the necessity or crucial nature of certain elements. For example, "For a successful project, teamwork and communication "they are essential"".

What can I say instead of "they are essential"?

You can use alternatives such as "they are crucial", "they are vital", or "they are indispensable" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to say "they're essential"?

Yes, "they're essential" is the contracted form of "they are essential" and is grammatically correct and commonly used in both spoken and written English. Be mindful of context and audience when deciding whether to use the contracted form.

Which is the most appropriate context for "they are essential", formal or informal?

The phrase "they are essential" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, you might consider using synonyms like "they are indispensable" or "they are crucial" for a more elevated tone.