this was essential

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this was essential" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize the importance or necessity of something in a past context. Example: "In order to complete the project successfully, this was essential for our team to understand the requirements."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Especially to strangers: this was essential.

The New Yorker

Since insulin overdose is fatal, this was essential.

The Guardian

This was essential to win the support of the Treasury.

The Economist

For many years this was essential, but things are different now.

The Guardian

Paradjanov was a painter and said this was essential to how he created.

The Guardian - Film

All of this was essential to creating fully realised characters in a scripted film".

The Guardian - Film

"This was essential to gaining their confidence," she said of Sartre, de Beauvoir, Malraux and Breton.

The New York Times - Arts

He said this was essential now that services accounted for over 40% of GDP.

The Economist

This was essential to Generation Ys' understanding of celebrity style – it's all about quirks that go viral.

The Guardian

This was essential, as I was so severely jet-lagged I had become convinced the cobblestones were set in quicksand.

The New York Times - Arts

This was essential in case my father's original airline managed to secure him a seat on another suitable flight.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When emphasizing the necessity of a past action or decision, use "this was essential" to clearly convey its importance in the given context. Be sure to follow with a justification or explanation of why it was so important.

Common error

Avoid using "this was essential" without providing context or reasoning. Overusing the phrase without sufficient explanation can weaken its impact and make your writing sound repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this was essential" functions as a statement emphasizing the critical importance or necessity of something in a past context. Ludwig indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. Examples show its use in various domains, reinforcing its role in highlighting key elements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

44%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this was essential" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to emphasize the critical importance of something in a past context. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is most commonly found in news and scientific writing, maintaining a neutral register appropriate for diverse audiences. When using this phrase, ensure that you provide sufficient context or reasoning to support the claim and avoid overuse to maintain its impact. Consider alternatives like "it was crucial" or "it was vital" for variety. Remember that while the expression is versatile, clarity and context are essential to ensure its effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was crucial

Highlights the decisive and critical importance.

it was vital

Highlights the life-sustaining or extremely important nature.

it was critical

Stresses the importance of something in determining an outcome.

it was of the essence

Uses a more formal and emphatic expression to highlight the critical importance.

it was paramount

Emphasizes the supreme importance and priority.

it proved indispensable

Emphasizes the irreplaceability and necessity demonstrated over time.

it became imperative

Highlights the urgency and unavoidable nature that developed.

it was fundamental

Highlights the foundational importance of something.

it was requisite

Indicates something is required or obligatory.

it was a must

Offers a more casual and concise way to state the necessity.

FAQs

How can I use "this was essential" in a sentence?

Use "this was essential" to emphasize the critical importance of something in the past. For example, "To ensure the project's success, "this was essential" to gather all the data before starting the analysis".

What are some alternatives to saying "this was essential"?

You can use alternatives like "this was crucial", "this was vital", or "this was critical" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "this was essential" and "this is essential"?

"This was essential" refers to something that was necessary in the past, while "this is essential" refers to something that is currently necessary. For example, "Getting the funding was essential for the project's completion last year," versus "Getting enough sleep is essential for maintaining good health".

Is "this was essential" formal or informal?

"This was essential" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "it was imperative" or "it was indispensable" might be preferred in highly formal writing.