to be essential

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be essential" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that is necessary or fundamental to a particular situation or context. Example: "In order to succeed in this project, communication is to be essential among team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Retrofitting is going to be essential".

The New York Times - Science

Motivation popularly is thought to be essential to learning.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Watch how many functions of "abolished" quangos are turning out to be essential, simply moved elsewhere.

The Guardian - Opinion

It proved to be essential for Wong's survival, as Farrell lost the seat.

The Guardian

This appears to be essential if any serious plans for reuniting this family are contemplated".

The New Yorker

What expenses do you consider to be essential and, likewise, what expenses could you do without?

The Guardian - Opinion

Ms. Brewster said she considered that hands-on approach by employees to be essential.

The New York Times

We consider certain fundamental values to be essential to international relations in the 21st century.

The New York Times

The arts and humanities cannot claim to be essential to democracy, economic success and social wellbeing.

The Guardian

"For Forrester, winning places like this are going to be essential".

The New York Times

But Clegg made clear he considered the reforms to be essential.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be essential" when you want to emphasize the necessity of something for a particular purpose or outcome. For example, "Careful planning is to be essential for the success of the project."

Common error

Avoid using "to be essential" in overly simple sentences where a more direct verb would be clearer and more concise. For example, instead of "This step is to be essential", consider "This step is necessary" or "This step is crucial".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be essential" functions as a linking phrase, connecting a subject to a characteristic of necessity. It indicates that something is fundamentally required or indispensable. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be essential" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression signifying something is fundamentally necessary. As Ludwig AI points out, it appears across diverse contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. While versatile, it's best employed to emphasize critical importance, avoiding overuse in overly simplistic sentences. Alternatives like ""to be crucial"" or ""to be necessary"" offer nuanced variations, ensuring precision in your writing. Remember that clarity and conciseness are key, even when highlighting what's truly indispensable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be indispensable

Highlights that something is absolutely necessary and cannot be done without.

to be crucial

Emphasizes the critical importance of something to the outcome.

to be vital

Indicates that something is necessary for life or success.

to be imperative

Stresses the urgency and importance of something.

to be critical

Similar to crucial, but often implies a turning point or decision.

to be necessary

A more general term indicating something is required or needed.

to be key

Highlights that something is a central or crucial element.

to be paramount

Highlights that something is of utmost importance, ranking above all others.

to be fundamental

Emphasizes the foundational nature of something, highlighting its role as a base or starting point.

to be required

Indicates that something is mandatory or obligatory.

FAQs

How can I use "to be essential" in a sentence?

Use "to be essential" to emphasize the necessity of something for a specific purpose or outcome. For example, "For the experiment to succeed, accuracy is "to be essential"."

What are some alternatives to "to be essential"?

Alternatives include "to be crucial", "to be necessary", or "to be vital" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "is essential to be" instead of "to be essential"?

The phrase "is essential to be" is grammatically awkward and less common. "To be essential" is the standard and more natural phrasing.

What's the difference between "to be essential" and "to be important"?

"To be essential" implies a higher degree of necessity than "to be important". Something that is essential is indispensable, while something that is important may be helpful but not absolutely required.