they are indispensible

USAGE SUMMARY

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Restriction enzymes can be isolated from bacterial cells and used in the laboratory to manipulate fragments of DNA, such as those that contain genes; for this reason they are indispensible tools of recombinant DNA technology, or genetic engineering.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Now they are indispensible for the campaigns to reach out to their public, young and not-so-young alike.

BBC

They are indispensible components of global climate action.

Huffington Post

They are indispensible for the basic catalytic function of the enzyme complex and comprise all mtDNA encoded subunits and seven nuclear encoded subunits, which contain the redox groups and most components of the proton translocation machinery [19], [20].

Plosone

It has been suggested that duplicated genes are mainly saved from removal through functional diversification, because of positive gene dosage effects, or because they are indispensible parts of a protein network, e.g. as subunits in an enzyme or signalling complex [ 102, 106- 110].

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

They provided man with transport (in both love and war) and they were indispensible partners down on the farm, when agriculture accounted for the vast majority of economic output.

The Economist

We found that angptls1 and 2 are indispensible for zebrafish definitive hematopoiesis and that they genetically interacted with notch signaling.

eLife

But both men say their experiences with a range of drugs are indispensible in helping their members.

The New York Times

External power supplies with variant voltage output are indispensible for powering devices without integrated internal batteries.

Visualization in Engineering

We propose that interfacial parameters are indispensible tools for the design of electrospinning experiments.

European Polymer Journal

High-reactivity electrode materials are indispensible for developing high-performance electrochemical energy storage devices.

Electrochimica Acta

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they are indispensible", ensure the context clearly establishes what "they" refers to. This maintains clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid overusing "they are indispensible" in contexts where "they are important" would suffice. "Indispensible" suggests something is absolutely necessary, not just helpful or significant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they are indispensible" typically functions as a predicate adjective, describing the essential quality of the subject (they). Ludwig shows its use in expressing necessity across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

20%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they are indispensible" is used to emphasize the critical necessity of something. While grammatically correct, as confirmed by Ludwig, it's less common than its synonym "indispensable." Its usage is primarily found in formal and scientific writing, making it suitable for contexts where precision and clarity are paramount. When using this phrase, ensure the referent of "they" is clear to maintain coherence. Alternative phrases like "they are essential", "they are crucial", or "they are vital" can offer broader accessibility without sacrificing the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they are essential

Replaces "indispensible" with a more common synonym while retaining the original meaning of being absolutely necessary.

they are vital

Substitutes "indispensible" with "vital", emphasizing the critical importance of the subject.

they are crucial

Uses "crucial" instead of "indispensible" to highlight the decisive role of the subject.

they are critical

Replaces "indispensible" with "critical", stressing the importance of the subject to avoid failure.

they are paramount

Emphasizes the supreme importance of the subject, making it top priority.

they are requisite

Replaces "indispensible" with "requisite", indicating that the subject is required or necessary.

they are mandatory

Uses "mandatory" instead of "indispensible" to denote that the subject is compulsory.

they are non-negotiable

Replaces "indispensible" with "non-negotiable", highlighting that the subject cannot be compromised.

they are irreplaceable

Substitutes "indispensible" with "irreplaceable", indicating that the subject cannot be substituted with something else.

they cannot do without

Expresses the indispensability by explaining that it is impossible to do without the subject.

FAQs

What does "they are indispensible" mean?

The phrase "they are indispensible" means that something is absolutely necessary or essential. Without it, something would be incomplete or impossible.

What's a more common synonym for "they are indispensible"?

A more common synonym for "they are indispensible" is "they are essential". Other options include "they are crucial" or "they are vital".

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

You can use "they are indispensible" in a sentence like, "In recombinant DNA technology, restriction enzymes are indispensible tools."

Is "indispensable" or "indispensible" the correct spelling?

"Indispensable" is the standard and more widely accepted spelling. "Indispensible" is less common but recognized. Always check your audience and publication guidelines.