what is vital

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what is vital" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing something that is essential or crucial in a particular context. Example: "In this project, what is vital is clear communication among team members to ensure success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Concentrate only on what is vital and let everything else go.

The New York Times

Dr. Roger C. Schank, chairman, chief technology officer, cognitive arts, Northwestern What is vital force?

The New York Times - Science

What is vital about the Turner Prize is that it creates informed debate about art.

The New York Times - Arts

We rather doubt that anybody knows what is vital to national security.

The New Yorker

God knows we need the money, but you don't attempt to understand what is vital to us.

The New York Times

What is vital to recognize is that the NSA is collecting and storing staggering sums of communications every day.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

It does, however, capture what was vital about Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes, that he has charisma.

Independent

Each family member was tasked with gathering only what was vital.

The New Yorker

Above all, he was adventurous and looked for what was vital.

The Guardian

"What's vital now is that Lord Hutton's recommendations are implemented in full by government and public sector employers.

The Guardian

"The FSB's members are clearly of the opinion that tolls are a necessary evil on the Severn crossings and, if they are to be maintained in the future as is highly likely, they should simply be there to cover the cost of maintaining what are vital pieces of infrastructure for south Wales.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "what is vital", ensure the context clearly establishes for whom or for what something is vital. This provides clarity and strengthens your statement.

Common error

While grammatically sound, using "what is vital" excessively in casual conversation can sound overly formal. Consider using more relaxed alternatives like "what's important" or "what matters most" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what is vital" functions as a nominal clause, often serving as the subject or complement of a sentence. It highlights the essential element or aspect within a given context. Ludwig AI confirms its proper grammatical structure.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what is vital" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to emphasize the essential or crucial aspect of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate across a range of contexts, from formal news and scientific writing to business communication. While versatile, it's important to consider the level of formality required for the setting and use more relaxed alternatives in informal conversations. The phrase is more frequent in News & Media and Science. Remember to clarify what something is vital for to avoid ambiguity and maximize impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what is essential

Replaces "vital" with "essential", indicating something indispensable. A direct synonym replacement.

what is crucial

Substitutes "vital" with "crucial", highlighting the critical importance of something. A direct synonym replacement.

what is most important

Replaces "vital" with "most important", emphasizing the highest degree of significance. A slightly more descriptive alternative.

what is indispensable

Replaces "vital" with "indispensable", stressing that something is absolutely necessary or essential. A slightly more formal alternative.

what matters most

Shifts the focus to the significance or consequence, rather than direct necessity. It emphasizes the impact of something.

the critical factor is

Emphasizes that something is a deciding element. A more formal and analytical tone.

what is necessary

Replaces "vital" with "necessary" meaning required to be done, achieved, or present. More general alternative

the key thing is

Changes the structure to focus on the crucial element, using "key thing" to denote importance. A more conversational phrasing.

the main thing is

Highlights the primary aspect or concern. It is a slightly less formal alternative.

what is requisite

Replaces "vital" with "requisite" meaning made necessary by particular circumstances or regulations. More formal alternative

FAQs

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

Use "what is vital" to emphasize something essential or crucial. For example, "What is vital is that we maintain open communication throughout the project."

What phrases can I use instead of "what is vital"?

Alternatives include "what is essential", "what is crucial", or "what is most important", depending on the specific context.

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

Both "what is vital" and "what's vital" (the contracted form) are grammatically correct. "What is vital" is slightly more formal, while "what's vital" is more conversational.

What's the difference between "what is vital" and "what is important"?

While both indicate significance, "what is vital" often implies a more critical or indispensable nature than "what is important". Vital suggests necessity for survival or success.