very critical

USAGE SUMMARY

'very critical' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is extremely important or necessary, or something that requires extreme care or attention. Example: This next step is very critical, make sure you double-check all the instructions before proceeding.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I was very critical.

The New York Times

"Very, very critical".

The New York Times

"He was very, very critical.

The New Yorker

The situation is very critical".

Independent

"I'm very critical.

The New Yorker

My father was very critical.

The New York Times - Arts

"This period is very critical and difficult.

The New York Times

He was passionate, but very critical.

The New York Times

I'm very critical of that.

University of California, Berkeley

Land is a very, very critical thing".

The New York Times

They were very critical of myself.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation as "very critical", be specific about what makes it so. Provide context and explain the potential consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "very critical" as a vague intensifier. Instead of saying 'the situation is very critical', explain why it is critical. For example, specify 'the patient's condition is very critical due to severe blood loss'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very critical" functions as an adjective phrase used to modify a noun, emphasizing the high degree of importance, urgency, or severity of the subject being described. As Ludwig AI states, it is a valid and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

14%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "very critical" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. It serves to emphasize the importance, severity, or urgency of a situation. Analysis of its usage shows it is most common in news and media, followed by academic contexts. While grammatically correct, it's essential to use the phrase with specific context to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like ""extremely crucial"" or ""absolutely essential"" can provide a more nuanced emphasis, depending on the desired effect. Overall, "very critical" is a reliable phrase when used thoughtfully and with clear context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely crucial

Replaces "critical" with "crucial", intensifying the degree of importance with "extremely".

highly important

Emphasizes the significance of something, replacing "critical" with a more general term for importance.

vitally important

Indicates something is essential for life or success, adding a sense of urgency.

absolutely essential

Highlights the necessity of something, using stronger terms than "critical".

of utmost importance

A more formal way of saying something is very important, emphasizing its significance.

exceedingly significant

Uses "exceedingly" to amplify the significance, providing a slightly different tone.

paramount significance

Emphasizes the supreme importance of something, using more formal language.

fundamentally vital

Highlights the fundamental importance of something, suggesting it's a core element.

decisively important

Emphasizes the impact something has on a decision or outcome.

gravely serious

Shifts the focus to the seriousness of a situation, rather than just its importance.

FAQs

How can I use "very critical" in a sentence?

You can use "very critical" to emphasize the importance or severity of something. For example, "The next stage of the project is "very critical" for its overall success".

What phrases can I use instead of "very critical"?

Alternatives include "highly important", "extremely crucial", or "absolutely essential" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "critical" or "very critical"?

"Very critical" emphasizes the severity or importance more strongly than just "critical". The best choice depends on the degree of emphasis you want to convey. If something is essential, "absolutely essential", might be a more emphatic alternative.

What does it mean when someone says a situation is "very critical"?

It typically means the situation is serious, requires immediate attention, and could have significant negative consequences if not handled properly. Depending on the context you can also consider alternative phrases like "gravely serious".