Meaning & use
of the essence
Last updated
Meaning
phrasefixed phrase
Extremely important and needing to be done quickly; time is very important.
Grammar: Used after linking verbs like 'be' or 'become': 'Speed is of the essence.' It does not take an object.
Patterns
- something is of the essence
- time is of the essence
- speed is of the essence
In an emergency, speed is of the essence.
The contract says that time is of the essence, so we must finish by Friday.
When you're rescuing someone from a fire, every second is of the essence.
Common combinations
- time is of the essence
- Time is of the essence, so please reply immediately.
- speed is of the essence
- In this race, speed is of the essence.
- be of the essence
- Accuracy is of the essence when you're writing a legal document.
- become of the essence
- As the deadline approached, speed became of the essence.
Synonyms and how they differ
- crucial
- Means very important but does not always suggest urgency; 'of the essence' adds the idea that time is short.
- urgent
- Focuses on the need for immediate action; 'of the essence' emphasizes that time itself is the critical factor.
- vital
- Means absolutely necessary; it is close in meaning but lacks the specific time pressure of 'of the essence'.
Opposites
Commonly confused: of the essence or in essence?
of the essence vs in essence
'In essence' means 'basically' or 'in the most important part'. 'Of the essence' means extremely urgent and time-sensitive.
Practice
Complete the sentence: 'In a medical emergency, time is ______.'
Choose one answer.
'Of the essence' is the fixed phrase meaning extremely urgent. 'In essence' means basically, and the other options are not correct English phrases.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “of the essence”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.