vital feature

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "vital feature" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an essential or crucial characteristic of something, often in contexts like technology, design, or analysis. Example: "The vital feature of this software is its ability to process data in real-time, which significantly enhances user experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

Trust is a vital feature for Semantic Web.

Data & Knowledge Engineering

There is one vital feature my Palm Pilot has that a day planner never will.

The New York Times - Tech

The results show that flexibility is considered a vital feature and almost as important as direct operating costs.

Journal of Air Transport Management

The 37,900-square-foot annex will provide two more elevators, a vital feature for a center in which clients and designers move constantly from showroom to showroom.

The New York Times

The application cannot continue because a vital feature is inoperable, data cannot be secured, backed up, etc. Are there any other options instead of a rule change?

Stanford University

State legislatures are a vital feature of our Government; the Federal Constitution presupposes their existence and imposes on each State the obligation to maintain them.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Diversity and dynamism are vital features of our economy.

The New York Times

At a 20° vertical inclination, vital features of implants were distorted enough to be deemed unrecognizable.

The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry

Is it an art of escapism or one that reflects vital features of the world we know?

The New York Times - Arts

Disputing the mayor's claims of authenticity, Wang points out that vital features of the wall's watchtowers, designed for functionality, have been altered for aesthetics.

The Guardian

In the second phase, the proposed algorithm combining Genetic Algorithm (GA and Support Vectorr Machine (SVM), namely GA-SVM is adopted to select the vital features for the effective classification.

Measurement

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing complex systems or designs, clearly articulate why the "vital feature" is essential to overall functionality or success. Providing context helps the reader understand its importance.

Common error

Avoid using "vital feature" to describe elements that are inherently essential. For instance, saying 'Oxygen is a vital feature of human life' is redundant; instead, focus on specific or less apparent features whose importance needs highlighting.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vital feature" functions as a noun phrase where 'vital' modifies 'feature'. It emphasizes that the feature being described is essential or critically important. As Ludwig highlights, its presence across diverse domains indicates its broad applicability in conveying necessity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "vital feature" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to emphasize the essential nature of a particular attribute. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, ranging from scientific discussions to news reports. While alternatives like "essential attribute" or "crucial element" exist, "vital feature" effectively conveys the indispensability of the specified characteristic. Just remember to use it judiciously, avoiding redundancy by focusing on features whose importance truly needs highlighting. Its widespread usage and clear meaning make it a reliable choice for conveying importance in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

essential attribute

Replaces 'feature' with 'attribute', implying a characteristic or quality.

crucial element

Substitutes 'vital' with 'crucial' and 'feature' with 'element', emphasizing importance.

key component

Replaces 'vital' with 'key' and 'feature' with 'component', suggesting an integral part.

indispensable aspect

Uses 'indispensable' instead of 'vital' and 'aspect' instead of 'feature', stressing necessity.

significant characteristic

Replaces 'vital' with 'significant' and 'feature' with 'characteristic', highlighting importance.

critical property

Uses 'critical' instead of 'vital' and 'property' instead of 'feature', emphasizing a necessary attribute.

fundamental quality

Replaces 'vital' with 'fundamental' and 'feature' with 'quality', denoting a basic trait.

primary attribute

Uses 'primary' instead of 'vital' and 'attribute' instead of 'feature', stressing basic significance.

central characteristic

Replaces 'vital' with 'central' and 'feature' with 'characteristic', emphasizing core importance.

essential trait

Substitutes 'feature' with 'trait' and emphasizes the characteristic of something.

FAQs

How can I use "vital feature" in a sentence?

You can use "vital feature" to highlight a crucial aspect of something. For example, "Reliable data encryption is a "vital feature" for secure online transactions".

What are some alternatives to "vital feature"?

Alternatives include "essential attribute", "crucial element", or "key component", depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "vital feature" and "important feature"?

"Vital feature" implies something is absolutely necessary, whereas "important feature" suggests it's significant but perhaps not indispensable. "Vital feature" is stronger in meaning.

Can "vital feature" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "vital feature" is appropriate for formal writing. It's commonly found in academic, scientific, and business contexts. However, ensure the level of formality aligns with the specific context.