vital

USAGE SUMMARY

"vital" is an acceptable word to use in written English.
You can use it to describe something important or necessary for success, health, or wellbeing. For example, "Good nutrition is a vital part of staying healthy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Migrants who have permission to be in the UK are avoiding seeking vital medical treatment for fear of being arrested, a charity has warned.

The Guardian

"If you want to stop Ed Miliband and the SNP from getting into power and wrecking our economy... and if you want me back on work on Friday working through our long-term economic plan as your prime minister then it is vital that you vote Conservative," Cameron said.

The Guardian

"It is in our vital national interest that we avoid the fatal mistake that would be a no vote if a referendum is held in the next few years".

The Guardian

Better contact-tracing is vital to end the epidemic altogether.

The Guardian

We are now consulting regarding potential legal action and hoping against hope that the 12 libraries being thrown over to the community with the threat of volunteer-or-lose-it, will survive long enough for the future council members to realise their costly error and resume running this vital social and educational service.

The Guardian - Books

This stability is vital in attracting the business and international investment that delivers growth and jobs, and which keeps long-term interest rates low.

The Guardian - Opinion

There are only 110 beds in Freetown for Ebola patients and with the disease out of control in the capital, with almost 1,000 cases already confirmed, it is vital the unit's opening is not delayed.

The Guardian

"The current economic climate is very challenging for new house building in the short-term, but zero carbon homes, sustainable transport, a robust local economy and access to green space are all vital ingredients of new places fit for the 21st century.

The Guardian

We feel our participation in government is absolutely vital and that we are playing a very significant role.

The Guardian

Anthony Marra's debut novel A Constellation of Vital Phenomena (Hogarth) is set in war-torn Chechnya.

The Guardian - Books

Here Schürrle had a secondary role too, his acceleration and willingness to run behind Arsenal's high defensive line a vital quality in the absence of a genuinely pacy centre-forward.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "vital", ensure the context clearly indicates what depends on the subject being described as vital. For example, instead of saying "Education is vital", specify "Education is vital for societal progress".

Common error

Avoid using "vital" in casual conversation or informal writing where simpler words like "important" or "necessary" would suffice. "Vital" is best reserved for situations where the subject is truly indispensable or life-sustaining.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "vital" primarily functions to modify nouns, indicating that the noun is essential or necessary. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples, showcasing its use to describe elements critical to various outcomes and processes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "vital" is a frequently used word to describe something that is absolutely necessary or essential. Ludwig AI confirms that "vital" is acceptable in written English. Its primary contexts are in news, formal business writing, and scientific reports. While it's a powerful word, be mindful of overuse in informal settings, and always ensure the context clearly highlights what depends on the "vital" element. Alternatives include "essential", "crucial", and "critical". By understanding its nuances, you can use "vital" effectively to communicate the true importance of a subject.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

essential

Indicates something indispensable or necessary.

crucial

Emphasizes a critical or decisive role.

critical

Highlights something extremely important or decisive.

indispensable

Points out that something is absolutely necessary.

fundamental

Stresses something serving as a basic element or foundation.

necessary

Highlights that something is required.

key

Highlights something that is essential for achieving a goal.

paramount

Stresses that something is of the highest importance.

significant

Indicates something important enough to warrant attention.

integral

Highlights something forming an essential part of a whole.

FAQs

How can I use "vital" in a sentence?

Use "vital" to describe something essential or necessary. For example, "Access to clean water is "essential" for public health" or "A strong economy is "fundamental" to national security".

What are some alternatives to using the word "vital"?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms like "essential", "crucial", "critical", or "indispensable". Choose the word that best fits the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say something is "vitally important"?

While grammatically correct, "vitally important" can be redundant. "Vital" already implies importance, so using just "vital" is often sufficient. If you want to emphasize the importance, consider alternatives like "absolutely "essential"" or "critically "important"".

What's the difference between "vital" and "important"?

"Vital" suggests something is absolutely necessary or essential for survival or success, while "important" simply indicates something has significance or value. "Water is "vital" for life", but "Education is "important" for a good career".