crux

IPA/krʌks/
KK[krˈʌks]IPA/krʌks/

crux — noun

1. the essential point in a difficult problem or argument — the part that must be u

1.名詞C1
釋義

the essential point in a difficult problem or argument — the part that must be understood before anything else can be resolved

例句

The crux of the problem is that the hospital lacks nurses for the night shift.

the crux of the problem + that-clause

Sana could not finish her essay until she found the crux of the argument.

the crux of the argument

同義詞
  • core

    less formal and broader; works for both concrete and abstract things (the core of an apple or of an argument)

  • heart

    more emotional or metaphorical; suggests the most vital or passionate part of something

  • essence

    the fundamental nature of something; more philosophical and abstract

  • nub

    informal; the plainest, most direct statement of the issue

反義詞
  • side issue

    a secondary or less important matter that does not affect the main outcome

文法句型

the crux of the [matter/problem/argument/question]

用法筆記

Crux is almost always preceded by 'the' and followed by 'of' plus a noun phrase naming the issue. The patterns 'the crux of the matter', 'the crux of the problem', and 'the crux of the argument' are fixed collocations.

常見錯誤

❌The crux of the issue is very important.
✅The crux of the issue is that funding has been cut.
💡'crux' names the core point itself, not a description of the issue's importance.