Collocations for essential - adj.

appear, be, seem | become
It is becoming almost essential for students to have a second language.

remain | make sth
Increased competition makes it essential for the business to innovate.

consider sth, deem sth, regard sth as, see sth as, think sth
Do you consider these textbooks essential for the course?

really | absolutely | almost, virtually | fairly | by no means
Although useful, the accessories are by no means essential.

for
the skills essential for success

to
He believed that some form of religion was essential to human life.