what is key

USAGE SUMMARY

"what is key" is a valid and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to ask for the essential or principal point of something or to ask what is important. You can use it in a variety of contexts. For example, "What is key to maintaining a successful relationship?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What is key is whether these opinions are people's own voices".

The New York Times

"What is key is that China is becoming the world's top carbon dioxide emitter".

The New York Times

Where do the challenges lie and what is key to success?

The Guardian

What is key is the implementation of laws and the awareness raising that should accompany it.

The Guardian

What is key is to push yourself to somehow contemplate on that.

University of California, Berkeley

What is key for us is to use all our resources in the most effective way possible.

The Guardian

What is key is the importance you place on personal privacy and your commitment to your own values.

The New York Times - Magazine

What is key in applied neuroscience is capturing real data on decision making as it relates to a given situation.

Harvard Business Review

What is key to remember is that it remains to be seen what the strength of this evidence is in court and what form it takes.

The Guardian

She added: "What is key is that for real change the work with women abnd girls and the work with men and boys have to come together.

The Guardian

Putting the quality of his more sober acting skillset to one side, the budget point seems to be what is key to successfully floating Serious Depp.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "what is key", ensure that the context clearly identifies the subject to which the key element relates. This avoids ambiguity and ensures the reader understands what is being emphasized.

Common error

Avoid using "what is key" excessively in casual conversation or informal writing. While grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or stilted in relaxed settings. Consider more natural alternatives like "what's important" or "the main thing is".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what is key" functions as an interrogative clause introducing a statement about the most important or crucial aspect of a subject. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

22%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what is key" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to identify the most crucial element of a subject. Ludwig AI identifies it as valid and usable in various contexts. While leaning towards a neutral to formal register, its frequent appearance in news, scientific, and academic sources demonstrates its broad applicability. When writing, be mindful of your audience and choose alternative phrases like "what is crucial" or "what is essential" to match the desired tone. The most authoritative sources using this phrase include The Guardian, The New York Times, Forbes, Huffington Post and BBC.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what is crucial

Replaces "key" with "crucial", highlighting the critical importance of something.

what is essential

Substitutes "key" with "essential", focusing on the fundamental necessity of something.

what is most important

Rephrases the question to directly ask about the element of highest importance.

what matters most

Shifts the focus to what holds the greatest significance or consequence.

what is paramount

Emphasizes the supreme importance of something by using the word "paramount".

what is significant

Highlights the noteworthiness or importance of a particular aspect.

what is the main thing

Simplifies the query to ask about the principal element or aspect.

what is the core issue

Focuses on the central problem or point of concern.

what is the heart of the matter

Uses a more idiomatic expression to identify the central point.

what is the deciding factor

Highlights what ultimately determines an outcome or decision.

FAQs

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

Use "what is key" to emphasize the most important aspect of a topic. For example, "What is key to a successful negotiation is preparation."

What are some alternatives to using "what is key"?

You can use alternatives like "what is crucial", "what is essential", or "what matters most" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "what is key" formal or informal?

"What is key" leans towards the formal side but can be used in many contexts. Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing when choosing this phrase.

What is the difference between "what is key" and "what is important"?

While similar, "what is key" often implies a critical, make-or-break element, whereas "what is important" is broader and can encompass elements that are significant but not necessarily decisive.