what is essential

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what is essential" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the most important or fundamental aspects of a topic or situation. Example: "In this discussion, we will focus on what is essential for achieving our goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"You carry only what is essential".

The New York Times

"We should concentrate on what is essential".

The Guardian

What is essential is invisible to the eye".

The New York Times

Only what is essential to make people move".

The Guardian - Music

"What is essential is to improve the investment environment.

The Guardian

"Balancing risk against what is essential to a happy lifestyle".

Independent

We should concentrate on what is essential," she said.

The Washington Post

What is essential is that we do not forget what he's being accused of".

The New York Times

What is essential is that the modernisation plan delivers the best possible outcome for Remploy workers.

The Guardian

It is the right time both to re-evaluate what is essential and to explore.

The New York Times

What is essential is to write fast and not break the mood.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In persuasive writing, use "what is essential" to emphasize core arguments, helping to focus the reader on the most important points.

Common error

Avoid repeating "what is essential" too frequently within a single paragraph. Vary your language by using synonyms like "crucial", "vital", or "necessary" to maintain reader engagement and prevent redundancy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what is essential" functions as a nominal clause, often serving as the subject or complement of a sentence. It introduces a concept or idea that is considered indispensable or fundamentally important, aligning with Ludwig AI's confirmation of its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "what is essential" effectively spotlights the most important elements in a given context. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is grammatically sound and frequently employed across various domains, including news, science, and formal communications. While versatile, it's advisable to avoid overuse and consider synonyms to maintain engagement. Common writing errors involve redundancy, which can be easily mitigated by substituting with alternatives such as "what is crucial" or "what is necessary". Ultimately, mastering the use of "what is essential" can significantly enhance clarity and focus in both writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what is crucial

Focuses on the critical and decisive nature of something.

what is imperative

Emphasizes the urgent and necessary aspect of something.

what is vital

Highlights the life-sustaining or indispensable characteristic.

what is necessary

Indicates the required or needed elements.

what is fundamental

Stresses the basic and foundational aspect.

what is key

Points out the element that unlocks or enables success.

what is indispensable

Indicates something that cannot be done without.

what matters most

Shifts focus to prioritize importance rather than necessity.

what is significant

Emphasizes importance and consequence.

what is paramount

Highlights the supreme or dominant element.

FAQs

How can I use "what is essential" in a sentence?

You can use "what is essential" to emphasize the most important aspects of a situation. For example: "What is essential is that we focus on the core objectives."

What can I say instead of "what is essential"?

You can use alternatives like "what is crucial", "what is necessary", or "what matters most" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "what's essential" or "what is essential"?

Both "what's essential" and "what is essential" are grammatically correct. "What's essential" is a contraction and is more informal, while "what is essential" is more formal.

How does "what is essential" differ from "what is important"?

"What is essential" refers to something that is absolutely necessary or indispensable. "What is important", while significant, may not be strictly necessary.