essential
essential — adjective
1. needed so much that a particular activity, situation, or process cannot succeed
needed so much that a particular activity, situation, or process cannot succeed or continue without it.
A passport is essential when you travel to a foreign country.
essential when + clause
It is essential that Noor reads the safety instructions before starting the machine.
it is essential that + clause
Ryo found that warm clothing was essential during the mountain hike.
Good communication skills are essential for anyone working in a team.
The nurse said it is essential to drink plenty of water in hot weather.
- necessary
more general and neutral; 'essential' is stronger
- vital
suggests something is needed for life or continued existence
- crucial
emphasises that a specific outcome depends on it
- indispensable
the strongest; nothing can replace it
- unnecessary
not needed in any way
- optional
you can choose whether to have it or not
文法句型
essential for [noun/phrase]
essential to [noun/phrase]
it is essential that [clause]
it is essential to [verb]
用法筆記
Can be followed by 'for' (emphasising the goal), 'to' (emphasising the connection), a that-clause, or a to-infinitive. The that-clause often takes a subjunctive verb (no -s on third person).
常見錯誤
2. describing the basic nature or character that makes something or someone what th
describing the basic nature or character that makes something or someone what they truly are, without which they would be different.
The essential difference between the two libraries is their opening hours.
attributive: essential + [noun]
Honesty is an essential quality in any good friendship.
Allison covered the essential points of the report in the first five minutes.
Patience is essential to the art of teaching young children.
- fundamental
suggests something forms the foundation of a system or idea
- basic
simpler and more common; less formal
- inherent
emphasises that it naturally belongs to someone or something
- secondary
less important, not part of the core
- superficial
relating only to the surface, not the real nature
文法句型
essential [noun]
essential to [noun]
用法筆記
Usually placed directly before a noun (attributive position). When used predicatively with 'to', the meaning is closer to 'forming a basic part of' rather than 'absolutely necessary'.
常見錯誤
essential — noun
1. something that you must have in order to live, work, or function properly in dai
something that you must have in order to live, work, or function properly in daily life.
The shop sells basic essentials like rice, oil, and soap.
often plural: basic essentials
Clean drinking water is an essential that every community should have access to.
countable singular: an essential
When the power went out, candles became an essential for the Watanabe family.
The charity provides essentials such as blankets and medicine to families in need.
文法句型
the essentials
an essential
basic essentials
用法筆記
Often used in the plural form 'essentials' when listing everyday basic items. The singular form 'an essential' is common when naming one specific necessary item.
常見錯誤
2. a central idea, fact, or quality that forms the most important part of something
a central idea, fact, or quality that forms the most important part of something and cannot be removed.
The essentials of good cooking include fresh ingredients and proper timing.
the essentials of [something]
Leo explained the essentials of the new safety rules to the whole team.
Knowing your rights is an essential of living in a democratic society.
The essentials of the plan were agreed on before the meeting started.
- fundamental
often used in the same way; 'the fundamentals of' is equally common
- basic
simpler, less formal; 'the basics of' is common in everyday speech
- core
suggests the innermost or most vital part
- detail
a small, often less important piece of information
- minor point
a less significant aspect
文法句型
the essentials of [something]
an essential of [something]
用法筆記
The plural 'essentials' is more common than the singular. The phrase 'the essentials of [something]' is a fixed pattern — it introduces the most important concepts of a subject or activity.