ADJ

basic, critical, crucial, decisive, essential, fundamental, important, key, main, major, necessary, principal, significant, vital
dominant
The promise of tax cuts became the dominant element in the campaign
considerable, large
There is a considerable element of danger in her job
competitive
There is too much of a competitive element in the sales department
racial, sexual
Police say there may have been a racial element to the attacks

VERB + ELEMENT

be, constitute, form
contain, have, include, involve
These rumours do contain an element of truth
introduce

PREP

~ in
This constitutes one of the key elements in this reform programme
~ of
Practical work will form a major element of the syllabus. There may have been an element of jealousy in her response

VERB + ELEMENT

brave
I put on my thick coat ready to brave the elements
battle (against)
He told us stories of how he had battled the elements on his mountaineering trips
be exposed to, be open to
The place was completely exposed to the elements
be protected from, be sheltered from

PHRASES

protection/shelter from the elements