Singular or plural

"Key" acts as an adjective in this case and does not get modified.

These things are key to victory/success.
This thing is key to victory/success.

(Unless you say "these things are the keys to victory/success", but in this case "keys" are a noun and the sentence doesn't sound good, anyway).

Xerxes"Key" acts as an adjective in this case and does not get modified.These things are key to victory/success.This thing is key to victory/success.(Unless you say "these things are the keys to victory/success", but in this case "keys" are a noun and the sentence doesn't sound good, anyway).

Thanks a lot for your valuable help. That was what I thought.

AnonymousOut of curiosity, can't 'key' function as a countable noun as well in your second example?e.g. These things are the 'key' to victory/success.

Yes, it can.

Xerxes AnonymousOut of curiosity, can't 'key' function as a countable noun as well in your second example?e.g. These things are the 'key' to victory/success.Yes, it can.

Great. And sorry, I meant to say as an 'uncountable noun'! So, just to check confirm, with the us of 'the' in your example both 'key' and 'keys' are possible. Have I understood correctly?

P.S. But I wouldn't say it that way.

Anonymous Should 'key' here be singular or plural when referring to multiple things? These things are 'key or keys' to victory/success.Thanks.

Both are possible.
These things are keys to victory. "keys" means important things.
These things are key to victory. "key" means important.

So they are

XerxesP.S. But I wouldn't say it that way.

Do you mean that you would have only say it in the adjective form, my orange good nal sentence?

Anonymous XerxesP.S. But I wouldn't say it that way.Do you mean that you would have only say it in the adjective form, my orange good nal sentence?

It's just a personal preference. Don't read too much into it.

Xerxes Anonymous XerxesP.S. But I wouldn't say it that way.Do you mean that you would have only say it in the adjective form, my orange good nal sentence?It's just a personal preference. Don't read too much into it.

Got it. Would you tell me if what I said in my earlier post was correct.

"I meant to say as an 'uncountable noun'! So, just to confirm, w

AnonymousGot it. Would you tell me if what I said in my earlier post was correct."I meant to say as an 'uncountable noun'! So, just to confirm, with the use of 'the' in your example both 'key' and 'keys' are possible. Have I understood correctly?"

Actually, these are your examples, not mine!

These things are the key to victory/success.