they are key

USAGE SUMMARY

'they are key' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use this phrase to emphasize that something is important. For example: "We need to remember that collaboration and communication are key; they are key to our success."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They are key.

The New Yorker

"They are key players for us.

The Guardian - Sport

They are key performance indicators for the entire organisation.

The Guardian

They are key indicators of a warming planet.

Yale University

They are key to who wins the House and Senate.

The New York Times

These changes and progress deserve more exposure, because they are key to African development.

The Guardian

Now, with the added baggage fees, they are key strategic accessories.

The New York Times - Travel

Dubbed as 'travel believers' by Expedia, they are key influencers in the social sphere.

The Guardian - Tech

And they are key fighters in the escalating antipathy between the French and the English".

The New Yorker

They are key members of the power play and the penalty-killing units.

The New York Times - Sports

"Their development throughout the second half is important because they are key guys to our future".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they are key" to clearly emphasize the importance or necessity of specific elements or factors. This phrase is suitable for various contexts, from formal reports to casual discussions.

Common error

Avoid overusing "they are key" in close proximity, as it can make your writing repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "essential", "crucial", or "vital" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they are key" functions as a predicate nominative, emphasizing the significance of the subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct way to highlight the essential nature of something, similar to saying "they are essential" or "they are crucial".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they are key" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to emphasize the significance of certain elements. As Ludwig AI's analysis indicates, it functions as a predicate nominative, highlighting the essential nature of a subject. The phrase is suitable for diverse contexts, including science, news, business, and even casual conversations. While synonyms like "essential", "crucial", and "vital" exist, "they are key" offers a direct and effective way to convey importance. It's important to be mindful of overuse and vary your language to maintain engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they are essential

This alternative directly replaces "key" with "essential", maintaining a similar level of formality and emphasis on necessity.

they are critical

Replacing "key" with "critical" emphasizes a decisive or crucial importance.

they are crucial

This option, replaces "key" with "crucial", suggesting a critical level of importance.

they are vital

Substituting "key" with "vital" indicates something indispensable or necessary for life or success.

they are fundamental

Replaces "key" with "fundamental", highlighting the foundational nature of what is being described.

they are integral

Substituting "key" with "integral" indicates that something is an essential part of a whole.

they are indispensable

Using "indispensable" emphasizes that something is absolutely necessary and cannot be done without.

they are paramount

This suggests that something is of the highest importance and takes precedence over other things.

they are central

This alternative emphasizes that something is at the heart of the matter or the core of an issue.

they are significant

Using "significant" indicates that something is important and worthy of attention.

FAQs

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

You can use "they are key" to emphasize the importance of certain elements. For example: "Communication and collaboration "are essential"; they are key to a successful project."

What are some alternatives to "they are key"?

Alternatives include "they are essential", "they are crucial", or "they are vital", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "they are key" too informal for professional writing?

While "they are key" is generally acceptable, consider alternatives like "they are fundamental" or "they are indispensable" for a more formal tone.

What's the difference between "they are key" and "they are important"?

"They are key" suggests a higher level of importance than "they are important". "Key" implies that these elements are essential and critical for success, whereas "important" simply indicates that they hold significance.