eslHQ Home
User Name Password
Lost Password? | Join eslHQ.com, it's FREE!
View today's posts
Search Extras Help   

Reply
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1 (permalink)  
Unread Jul 28th, 2009, 09:16 pm
eslHQ Enthusiast
 
Join Date: Mar 12th, 2009
Location: Iran
Posts: 33
majid72 is on a distinguished road
Default critical /crucial

Hello

Could you please tell me if I use critical and crucial instead of each other in the following sentences ,is / are there any change(s) in meaning?

1-Wining the contract is crucial to the success of the company.
2-these accusations came at a critical phase.
3-their efforts and knowledge are critical these conditions.
4-Anderson played a crucial role in the team's 3 2 victory on Saturday.
5-The talks are at a critical juncture .

Thank you.
Reply With Quote
  #2 (permalink)  
Unread Jul 29th, 2009, 04:10 pm
eslHQ Zealot
 
Join Date: Jul 27th, 2009
Posts: 80
alawton is on a distinguished road
Default Re: critical /crucial

As English speakers we do tend to interchange these words. In your five examples the words you chose sound fine. For #4 you would need a word after "critical". You could say: "their efforts and knowledge are critical under these conditions." There are times when you can only use "critical" in sayings like "critical mass" or "critical condition", but in your examples you didn't misuse any words.
__________________
Andrew Lawton
http://drewseslfluencylessons.com
Reply With Quote
  #3 (permalink)  
Unread Aug 2nd, 2009, 11:27 pm
FionaVB's Avatar
eslHQ Zealot
 
Join Date: Dec 4th, 2007
Location: Vietnam
Age: 60
Posts: 80
FionaVB is on a distinguished road
Default Re: critical /crucial

"Crucial" comes from the Latin "crux" meaning cross, so it can be seen as a point where a crossroad had to be chosen, or where a decision had to be made. "Critical" comes from the Greek for "judge" and "decision" so there is quite an overlap in their current meanings.
Reply With Quote
  #4 (permalink)  
Unread Aug 3rd, 2009, 08:44 am
eslHQ Enthusiast
 
Join Date: Mar 12th, 2009
Location: Iran
Posts: 33
majid72 is on a distinguished road
Default Re: critical /crucial

Thank you for your replies.

So, you're saying that I can use them interchangeably in all occasions(when it comes to meaning of the greatest importance) without being worried about any difference in their meaning?

Regards
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Find the Best TEFL, TESL, TESOL & CELTA Certification Courses - User Submitted Ratings & Reviews for Online, Distance & Abroad TEFL Courses. Over 3,500 reviews of 100+ TEFL schools!

Teach English in Thailand - Onsite and Combined TEFL certification courses in Phuket, Thailand.


Free ESL Flashcards




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:22 am.

All materials from this website are for classroom-use only. Digital redistribution of materials, in part or in whole, is strictly forbidden!

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.8
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0 PL2