cc in nyc Aug 6, 2012:

is key to It would not be my choice, but one might argue that Paul Brians is on shaky ground militating against a construction that is found in the online Merriam-Webster dictionary and also here: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/key – both instances without any words of warning. ;-)

polyglot45 Aug 6, 2012:

Timing is all on and off the pitch/field (we talk about football pitches in the UK but depends who your target audience is)

Nikki Scott-Despaigne Aug 6, 2012:

"key" as an adjective It exists used as you have used it, but apparently reads uneasily to others too. I would suggest avoiding it in the way of the second example. Readers of the final version may think that a word has been left out.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/key[adjective]

1)
Coming before all others in importance "maintains that Sir Isaac Newton remains the key figure in physical science"

2)
Of the greatest possible importance "first—and this is key—I wasn't even there that evening"

Nikki Scott-Despaigne Aug 6, 2012:

@Paul As you have phrased it, "key" reads as a noun lacking its article rather than as an adjective, although I understand your intention. If you wish it to be an adjective, it would have to precede a noun. As is, it definitely requires an article.

http://public.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/key.html

“Deceptive marketing is key to their success as a company.” “Careful folding of the egg whites is key.” This very popular sort of use of “key” as an adjective by itself to mean “crucial” sets the teeth of some of us on edge. It derives from an older usage of “key” as a metaphorical noun: “The key to true happiness is an abundant supply of chocolate.” “Key” as an adjective modifying a noun is also traditional: “Key evidence in the case was mislaid by the police.”

But adjectival “key” without a noun to modify it is not so traditional. If this sort of thing bothers you (as it does me), you’ll have to grit your teeth and sigh. It’s not going away."

Paul Hirsh (asker) Aug 6, 2012:

@Nikki I see your point, but I was using 'key' as an adjective meaning crucial. It's something one hears a lot, so I assume it has become current usage.

Paul Hirsh (asker) Aug 6, 2012:

@Daryo It starts a new paragraph.

Nikki Scott-Despaigne Aug 6, 2012:

On and off the field : nice!

cc in nyc Aug 6, 2012:

@ polyglot In the USA, it would be "on and off the field" I think, but it lacks the zing of the French.

polyglot45 Aug 6, 2012:

Not sure I like "sport/life" Think it's more about "on the pitch and off" that this guy needs a watch.
A watch for on and off the pitch

Daryo Aug 5, 2012:

what's the sentence before and the one after?
"Du temps" feels unfinished, like a shortened reference to something said in the previous sentence.

cc in nyc Aug 5, 2012:

Comma placement I too would move the comma after "key."

Nikki Scott-Despaigne Aug 5, 2012:

Time is key in sport, as in life Paul,

If you have decided to use the sentence as above, then you might liek to consider two points of grammar; the article and the position of the comma.

Suggestion : "Time is THE key...".
Suggestion : "Time is the key, in sport and in life". (comma)

The comma has changed position in relation to the original, but it is made necessary by the addition of a new word (key) in the first part of the sentence.