What is crucial? Pronunciation and usage in English

crucial means . Learn how to pronounce and use crucial through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of crucial

crucialadjective

/ˈkruːʃl/
Definition & pronunciation of crucial

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "crucial." It's a tricky one for many English learners! Here's a breakdown:

1. Phonetic Transcription (for the most accurate sound):

  • /ˈkruːʃəl/ (This is using the International Phonetic Alphabet - IPA)

2. Explanation in Words:

  • CRU: Say "cruise" like the ship. The "u" is pronounced, not silent.
  • CIAL: This is the tricky part. It's pronounced like "shuhl."
    • The "c" sound is softened and blends into the 'sh' sound.
    • The "uhl" is a short, quick syllable.

3. Putting it Together:

So, it sounds roughly like: "Kroo-shuhl"

4. Tips & Common Mistakes:

  • Don't say "crew": Many people mistakenly pronounce it like “crew.” Focus on the ‘cruise’ part.
  • Don’t overemphasize the “sh”: It’s a subtle “shuhl” sound rather than a strong "sh."
  • Listen to native speakers: The best way to get the rhythm and nuances is to listen to how native English speakers pronounce it. You can find examples on:
    • Google Translate: Type "crucial" and click the speaker icon.
    • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/crucial/ - This website has pronunciations recorded by native speakers from various regions.

Resources for Hearing it:

  • YouTube: Search "how to pronounce crucial" on YouTube – you’ll find numerous videos.

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly for you?
  • Give you a few example sentences using the word "crucial"?

Usage and examples with the word crucial in English

Let's break down how to use the word "crucial" effectively in English.

1. Meaning:

"Crucial" means absolutely essential or vital. It highlights something that is of utmost importance and without which something else cannot happen or succeed. It's stronger than simply "important."

2. How to Use It: Common Sentence Structures

  • Describing Importance: The most common way to use "crucial" is to describe the importance of something.

    • “Having enough funding is crucial for the success of the project.” (Without funding, the project won't succeed.)
    • “Honesty is crucial in any relationship.” (Honesty is absolutely necessary for a healthy relationship.)
    • “Timely communication is crucial when dealing with emergencies.” (It's vital to communicate quickly in emergencies.)

  • As an Adjective Modifying a Noun: You can use "crucial" as an adjective to describe a noun.

    • “The doctor’s diagnosis was crucial to determining the treatment plan.”
    • “The evidence presented was crucial in proving his guilt.”

3. Synonyms (Words with similar meanings):

Knowing synonyms can help you vary your language and find the best fit for a specific context:

  • Essential
  • Vital
  • Critical
  • Fundamental
  • Necessary
  • Paramount
  • Key

4. Examples in Different Contexts:

  • Business: “Maintaining customer satisfaction is crucial for long-term growth.”
  • Education: “Understanding basic math principles is crucial for future success in science.”
  • Medicine: “Early detection is crucial in treating cancer.”
  • Relationships: "Trust is crucial for a strong bond between friends."
  • Sports: “A successful free throw is crucial to winning the game.”

5. Things to Watch Out For:

  • Overuse: Don’t overuse "crucial." It can sound a bit forced if you apply it to everything. Use it for genuinely significant things.
  • Contrast with “Important”: "Crucial" is more important than just "important." It’s a higher level of significance.

6. Practice Examples:

Let's try some sentences:

  • “A strong immune system is crucial for fighting off infections.”
  • “The negotiator’s skills were crucial to reaching a favorable agreement.”
  • “Training employees on new software is crucial for maximizing productivity.”

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of writing are you working on? (e.g., academic essay, business report, creative writing, casual conversation?)
  • Can you give me a specific sentence you're struggling with that includes "crucial"?

Synonyms for the word crucial

Practice with vocabulary crucial

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. Getting enough sleep is ____________ for maintaining good health and productivity.
  2. The team's immediate goal is to establish a ____________ communication channel with the client.
  3. Data privacy has become a ____________ concern for businesses operating online.
  4. It is ____________ that all safety regulations are strictly followed to prevent accidents.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (There may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. For any startup, securing early-stage funding is __________. a) trivial b) crucial c) optional d) vital e) secondary

  2. The discovery of the new vaccine represents a __________ breakthrough in medical science. a) minor b) insignificant c) momentous d) negligible

  3. In an emergency, quick decision-making can be __________. a) inconsequential b) crucial c) peripheral d) fundamental

  4. The success of the project is __________ upon the team's ability to collaborate effectively. a) dependent b) irrelevant c) independent d) optional

  5. Understanding cultural nuances is __________ for successful international business negotiations. a) unnecessary b) important c) optional d) crucial e) minor

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. It is extremely important for managers to provide clear feedback to their employees regularly. Rewrite using "crucial".

  2. Achieving a good work-life balance is absolutely necessary for long-term well-being. Rewrite the sentence, but do not use "crucial".

  3. The ability to adapt quickly to new technologies is a key factor in career advancement today. Rewrite using "crucial".

Answer:

Exercise 1:

  1. Getting enough sleep is crucial for maintaining good health and productivity.
  2. The team's immediate goal is to establish an effective communication channel with the client.
  3. Data privacy has become a crucial concern for businesses operating online.
  4. It is imperative that all safety regulations are strictly followed to prevent accidents.

Exercise 2:

  1. b) crucial, d) vital
  2. c) momentous
  3. b) crucial, d) fundamental
  4. a) dependent
  5. b) important, d) crucial

Exercise 3:

  1. Providing clear feedback regularly is crucial for managers to their employees. (Alternatively: Providing clear feedback is crucial for managers to give to their employees regularly.)
  2. Achieving a good work-life balance is absolutely essential for long-term well-being.
  3. The ability to adapt quickly to new technologies is crucial for career advancement today.

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