C1 Expression フォーマル 3分で読める

The essential point is

Academic discourse marker used to connect ideas

Use this phrase to signal your most important conclusion and clear up any confusion in a conversation.

15秒でわかる

  • Used to highlight the most important part of a message.
  • Best for professional, academic, or serious personal discussions.
  • Acts as a verbal highlighter to grab the listener's attention.

意味

This phrase is used to cut through the noise and point out the most important part of a conversation or argument. It is like saying, 'If you forget everything else I said, just remember this one thing.'

主な例文

3 / 6
1

A business meeting about a project delay

We have many technical issues, but the essential point is that we need more time.

We have many technical issues, but the most important thing is that we need more time.

💼
2

Giving life advice to a stressed friend

The essential point is that you can't please everyone, so focus on yourself.

The main thing to remember is that you can't please everyone.

🤝
3

Writing a university essay about climate change

The essential point is that policy change must happen at a global level.

The most critical argument is that policy change must be global.

👔
🌍

文化的背景

This expression stems from a Western logical tradition that prizes 'linear' communication. It became a staple of 20th-century corporate and academic English as a way to manage information overload. In some cultures, being this direct might seem blunt, but in English, it is often seen as a sign of leadership and clarity.

💡

The 'One-Sentence' Rule

After you say this phrase, try to keep your next sentence under 15 words. It makes the 'point' feel much more powerful.

⚠️

Don't Overuse It

If you use this phrase three times in five minutes, people will stop believing that anything you say is actually 'essential'.

15秒でわかる

  • Used to highlight the most important part of a message.
  • Best for professional, academic, or serious personal discussions.
  • Acts as a verbal highlighter to grab the listener's attention.

What It Means

Think of this phrase as a spotlight. You are talking about a complex topic with many details. Suddenly, you want to highlight the core truth. Using the essential point is tells your listener to pay close attention now. It strips away the fluff and gets to the heart of the matter. It is about clarity and focus.

How To Use It

You usually place this at the start of a sentence. It acts as a bridge between your previous explanation and your main conclusion. You can also use it to interrupt yourself if you realize you are rambling. Just stop, breathe, and say, the essential point is... followed by your main idea. It works best when followed by a short, punchy statement. Don't follow it with another long, confusing paragraph or you'll lose the magic!

When To Use It

This is a powerhouse in professional settings. Use it during a meeting when colleagues are arguing about small details. Use it in an essay to summarize your thesis. It is also great when giving advice to a friend. If they are overwhelmed by a breakup, you might say, the essential point is that you deserve to be happy. It brings a sense of calm and direction to a messy conversation.

When NOT To Use It

Avoid this in very casual, high-energy settings. If you are at a loud party or screaming at a football game, it sounds too stiff. Don't use it for trivial things either. Saying, the essential point is that I like salt on my fries makes you sound like a movie villain or a very intense philosopher. Also, try not to use it more than once in a single conversation. It loses its 'essential' feeling if everything is labeled as essential!

Cultural Background

English speakers, especially in the UK and US, value 'getting to the point.' We often feel time is money. This phrase reflects a cultural desire for efficiency and logical structure. It has roots in academic writing and formal debate. It suggests that the speaker is a clear thinker who has analyzed the situation deeply. It carries a certain weight of authority and intellectual honesty.

Common Variations

If you want to sound a bit more casual, try the bottom line is. If you want to sound even more academic, use the fundamental crux of the matter is. For a quick, modern vibe, people often just say the point is. You might also hear the key takeaway is in business circles. Each one shifts the flavor slightly, but they all point to the same 'North Star' of your message.

使い方のコツ

This phrase sits firmly in the 'Formal' to 'Neutral' categories. It is highly effective in business and academic writing, but might feel slightly 'academic' if used while grabbing a casual beer with friends.

💡

The 'One-Sentence' Rule

After you say this phrase, try to keep your next sentence under 15 words. It makes the 'point' feel much more powerful.

⚠️

Don't Overuse It

If you use this phrase three times in five minutes, people will stop believing that anything you say is actually 'essential'.

💬

The British 'Crux'

In the UK, you might hear 'The crux of the matter is...' which is a slightly more old-fashioned but very classy version of this phrase.

例文

6
#1 A business meeting about a project delay
💼

We have many technical issues, but the essential point is that we need more time.

We have many technical issues, but the most important thing is that we need more time.

Simplifies a complex problem into a single actionable need.

#2 Giving life advice to a stressed friend
🤝

The essential point is that you can't please everyone, so focus on yourself.

The main thing to remember is that you can't please everyone.

Provides a grounding, supportive summary of a difficult situation.

#3 Writing a university essay about climate change
👔

The essential point is that policy change must happen at a global level.

The most critical argument is that policy change must be global.

Used as a strong concluding statement for an academic argument.

#4 Texting a partner about dinner plans
😊

I don't care where we go; the essential point is that I'm starving right now!

The only thing that matters is that I am very hungry!

Adds a bit of dramatic emphasis to a common daily problem.

#5 A humorous debate about a movie
😄

The essential point is that the main character's hat was the best part of the film.

The most important thing is that the hat was great.

Uses a formal structure for a silly topic to create irony.

#6 A heartfelt apology
💭

I know I messed up the details, but the essential point is that I am truly sorry.

The most important thing I want you to know is that I'm sorry.

Strips away excuses to focus on the emotional core.

自分をテスト

Choose the best phrase to complete the sentence for a professional presentation.

We have discussed the budget and the timeline, but ___ we are currently overstaffed.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: the essential point is

This phrase fits the professional tone and signals a summary of the previous points.

Identify where to place the phrase to emphasize the main conclusion.

___ that we must protect the environment for future generations.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: The essential point is

This phrase introduces a strong, central argument effectively.

🎉 スコア: /2

ビジュアル学習ツール

Formality Scale of 'The Essential Point'

Casual

The point is...

The point is, I'm tired.

Neutral

The bottom line is...

The bottom line is we need to leave.

Formal

The essential point is...

The essential point is the lack of funding.

Very Formal

The fundamental crux is...

The fundamental crux is the ethical dilemma.

Where to use 'The Essential Point'

The Essential Point Is
💼

Boardroom Meeting

Summarizing a strategy

🎓

Academic Paper

Stating a thesis

🤝

Serious Advice

Helping a friend decide

⚖️

Legal/Official

Clarifying a contract

よくある質問

10 問

It can be a bit heavy for casual chat. Use The point is... or Basically... with close friends unless the topic is very serious.

Yes, it is a perfect way to conclude. It signals to the audience that you are about to give them the 'gold' they should remember.

In conclusion just means you are finished talking. The essential point is tells the listener which specific idea is the most important.

Yes, adding that is very common and grammatically correct. For example: The essential point is that we are out of coffee.

It is excellent for professional emails. It helps the reader find the main request or information quickly in a long message.

Yes, it implies that without this specific point, the rest of the conversation doesn't matter or won't make sense.

Be careful! It can sound a bit aggressive if you use it to cut someone off. It is better used when it is your turn to speak.

You can use The key factor is, The main thing is, or Crucially. These all serve a similar purpose of highlighting importance.

It is used equally in both, but it feels slightly more 'planned' in speech than a simple So... or Anyway....

Yes, it is often used to deliver a 'reality check'. For example: The essential point is that the budget was denied.

関連フレーズ

The bottom line is

The final, most important result or fact.

To get to the heart of the matter

To discuss the most important part of a problem.

In a nutshell

To summarize something in very few words.

The long and short of it

A summary of a long story or situation.

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