Digital literacy is seen as key

[NortT]

Hello,
I'd like to know why they did not use "a" before a word "key". The whole sentence is: Many would say yes: digital literacy is seen as key to a modern upbringing, and screens are being introduced at ever earlier ages.

 

[Rover_KE]

In this context, 'key' is an adjective meaning 'essential', 'crucial' or 'pivotal'.

 

[NortT]

Thanks for your explanation. I have two question.
1. Would it be grammatically right if I wrote the sentence like "digital literacy is seen as a key to a modern upbringing, ..."?
2. Is it normal for you to use an adjective without a noun in this case? Why did not they write like "digital literacy is seen as a key / essential / crucial / pivotal thing to a modern upbringing, ..."?
Frankly saying, an adjective without a noun in this sentence looks a little bit confusing for me.

 

[Matthew Wai]

... a key to ...

'The key to'── quoted from http://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/key_2

Is it normal for you to use an adjective without a noun in this case?

'This type of work is often seen as boring.'── quoted from http://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/see_1
So the construction 'something is seen as (adjective)' is correct.
And I think you might have seen something like 'something is described/regarded/treated as (adjective)' without a noun following the adjective.

Not a teacher.

 

[MikeNewYork]

You could use "a key" but it changes the meaning. If something is "key" it is the most important thing; if something is "a key" it is one of several to many things.

 

[BobK]

There are people (naming no names, but the initials B and K might put you on the track) who aren't entirely comfortable with this usage. ;-)

b

 

[Tdol]

Why did not they write like "digital literacy is seen as a key / essential / crucial / pivotal thing to a modern upbringing, ..."?

Digital literacy is seen as crucial/essential to a modern upbringing work fine to me. They could have used these if they wanted to.