vital thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "vital thing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the importance of a specific item or concept in a discussion or argument. Example: "In any successful project, communication is the vital thing that ensures everyone is on the same page."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Which, surely, is the most vital thing.

The Guardian - Sport

Just, please, do remember one vital thing.

The Guardian - Travel

The vital thing is that the vibration itself be there.

The New Yorker

But they forget one vital thing: companies have never been, and arguably cannot be, democracies.

The Economist

The vital thing, lawyers say, is to pick the right public inquiries.

The Economist

Clearly, the rifle is meant to symbolize a kind of linchpin — the singularly vital thing.

The New York Times - Magazine

Musicians standing up in front of you is a vital thing.

The Guardian - Film

The vital thing was to make the most of the moments of brightness.

The Guardian - Books

"If you're in showbusiness, the BBC is a vital thing," he continued.

The Guardian

Tourism is a vital thing, mass tourism is a tricky, tricky thing.

The Guardian

"Alan's experience is the most vital thing for me," Millen said.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To avoid overuse, vary your vocabulary by substituting with synonyms like "essential element", "crucial aspect", or other related phrases depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Common error

Avoid using "vital thing" when the importance is already self-evident from the context. Overusing such phrases can dilute their impact and make your writing sound less sophisticated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vital thing" functions primarily as a noun phrase where the adjective 'vital' modifies the noun 'thing'. It acts as a subject complement or object, highlighting something of utmost importance. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatically correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Science

4%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "vital thing" is a commonly used phrase to underscore the utmost importance of a specific item or concept. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and versatile, appearing most frequently in news and media. When writing, be mindful of context and aim to provide reasons or consequences to justify the phrase's strong emphasis. Also, consider using synonyms like "essential element" or "crucial aspect" to avoid repetition. Use "vital thing" to emphasize significance, ensure clear context, and provide specific reasons to support its use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

essential element

Replaces the broad term "thing" with the more specific "element", focusing on a necessary component.

crucial aspect

Substitutes "vital" with "crucial" and "thing" with "aspect", highlighting a critical feature.

key component

Emphasizes the role of being a significant part of a larger whole.

indispensable item

Focuses on something that cannot be done without, indicating necessity.

critical factor

Highlights the importance of something as a determinant of an outcome.

most important consideration

Expands the phrase to explicitly state the high level of importance when making a decision.

fundamental requirement

Stresses the foundational nature of a need.

prime necessity

Uses 'prime' to amplify the word 'necessity', heightening the urgency and importance.

cornerstone principle

Emphasizes the foundational and guiding nature of the "vital thing".

central tenet

Highlights something as a core belief or doctrine.

FAQs

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

You can use "vital thing" to emphasize the importance of something. For example, "The "vital thing" is to remain calm in a crisis" or "Experience is a "vital thing" for success in this field".

What are some alternatives to "vital thing"?

Alternatives to "vital thing" include phrases like "essential element", "crucial aspect", "key component", or "critical factor", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to use "vital thing" or "important thing"?

"Vital thing" suggests something is indispensable or crucial, whereas "important thing" simply indicates significance. The best choice depends on the degree of emphasis you want to convey. If something is absolutely necessary, ""vital thing"" is more appropriate.

In what contexts is "vital thing" most appropriate?

"Vital thing" is suitable in contexts where emphasizing the absolute necessity of something is key, such as in discussions about survival, critical success factors, or fundamental principles. Using it effectively requires clear context to justify its strong emphasis.