vital to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "vital to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate the importance of something or someone to a particular situation or circumstance, usually with a positive connotation. For example, "A strong education is vital to achieving success in life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Routine is vital to Roberts.

The New Yorker

It's vital to our team".

The New York Times - Sports

It is vital to our future.

The New York Times - Magazine

It is vital to do so.

Independent

It's vital to understanding the world.

The New Yorker

They are vital to bay ecology.

The New York Times

Tourism is vital to the national economy.

The Economist

Pictures have always been vital to Facebook.

The New York Times - Tech

First, reform is vital to counter stagnation.

The New York Times

QUANTUM effects are vital to modern electronics.

The Economist

Coral is vital to supporting ocean life.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "vital to", ensure the context clearly establishes what depends on the vital element. For example, specify what outcome, process, or entity benefits from the vital component. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's meaning.

Common error

While "vital to" is appropriate for many situations, avoid using it excessively in informal writing. Overusing it can make your writing sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for more casual synonyms like "essential" or "key" when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vital to" functions as a subject complement, linking a subject to a description of its essential nature. Ludwig confirms the phrase's function through numerous examples where it highlights the critical importance of one element to another. For instance, "Routine is vital to Roberts."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

31%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Science

6%

Science & Research

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "vital to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that emphasizes the critical importance of one thing to another. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's employed across various contexts, from news and media to business and general knowledge. While generally neutral, its formality level can vary. For alternative phrasing, consider "essential for", "crucial for", or "indispensable to". Remember to use it judiciously, avoiding overuse in overly informal writing, and always ensure the context clearly establishes the relationship between the vital element and the dependent factor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

essential for

Emphasizes necessity, similar to "vital", but focuses more on the requirement for something to function or succeed.

crucial for

Highlights the critical importance of something, often implying that failure to have it will lead to negative consequences.

indispensable to

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

critical to

Stresses the importance of something in determining the outcome of a situation.

necessary for

A more general term for something that is required or needed.

fundamental to

Highlights something as a basic and essential part of a system or process.

key to

Implies that something is the most important factor in achieving a particular result.

integral to

Suggests that something is an essential part of a whole and cannot be removed without affecting the entire system.

significant for

Highlights importance but is broader than "vital", covering a wider range of importance levels.

paramount to

Indicates the highest level of importance, exceeding even "vital".

FAQs

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

Use "vital to" to emphasize the importance of something in relation to another thing. For example, "Communication is "vital to" a successful relationship".

What can I say instead of "vital to"?

You can use alternatives like "essential for", "crucial for", or "indispensable to" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "vital to" or "vital for"?

"Vital to" is generally used when something is essential or necessary for another thing. Although less common, "vital for" can be used to indicate that something is essential for a particular purpose or activity. For example, "This vitamin is "vital to" good health" or "This vitamin is "vital for" maintaining good health".

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

"Vital to" emphasizes a higher degree of necessity or importance than "important to". Something that is ""vital to"" something else is absolutely necessary for its survival, success, or proper functioning, while something that is "important to" something else has a significant but not necessarily indispensable role.