Hard precondition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Hard precondition" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are discussing strict requirements or conditions that must be met before proceeding with a task or project. Example: "In order to proceed with the project, meeting the budget constraints is a hard precondition."

✓ Grammatically correct

Service composition

Politics

Water purification

Negotiations

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In this evaluation, service precedence was used as a hard precondition: a service is only added to a solution if all services it requires appear before its use in the composition.

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Instead of using last summer's extraordinary meeting between former President Clinton and Kim Jong-il to jump-start dialogue, they lashed themselves to a set of hard and fast preconditions for talks, demanding that Pyongyang pledge to give up its nuclear arsenal and return to multilateral nuclear negotiations.

The New York Times

Clegg was at it again yesterday, with an FT interview that seemed to tilt favourably in the Tories' direction – and also to soften what had appeared to be the hard, non-negotiable Lib Dem precondition of electoral reform.

The Guardian

Preconditioning ensures that hard water, which leaves mineral deposits behind that can clog pipes, is altered to achieve the same consistency as soft water.

Britannica

But now "Britain's resistance to that precondition could bring about the hard border," Mr. Connelly said.

The New York Times

This article mainly analyzes the positioning algorithm based on linear constraint on scatterers and gives the drawback that the precondition of traditional algorithm is hard to be satisfied.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Empirical experiences obtained from extensive field monitoring and observations from simulations and calculations have shown that the presence of thick-hard strata in the roof strata is the precondition for bed separations to develop.

Applied Water Science

Voters cannot create prosperity simply by voting; they can vote for the preconditions of prosperity but a lot of hard work and skill are still needed.

The Economist

The rapprochement between Fatah and Hamas, though probably a precondition for an eventual settlement, makes it harder for the Palestinian side to make their own necessary concessions, at least in the short term.

The New Yorker

Vanda Felbab-Brown, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington, said Duque is taking a hard line with the ELN, imposing a number of preconditions such as the release of kidnapped hostages, the end of criminal activities such as extortion and bombings, and the concentration of guerrillas in one remote site while peace talks are carried out.

Los Angeles Times

Prudence is a virtue, but it's not a precondition for prosperity, or a practical cure for hard times.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hard precondition", ensure the context clearly indicates the severity and inflexibility of the requirement. This phrase is most effective when emphasizing the non-negotiable nature of the condition.

Common error

Avoid using "hard precondition" when a simpler term like "requirement" or "prerequisite" suffices. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound overly formal or rigid when a more flexible tone is appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard precondition" functions as a noun phrase that modifies the noun, emphasizing the stringent and non-negotiable nature of the requirement. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, signifying its grammatical correctness and appropriateness in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hard precondition" denotes a strict, inflexible requirement that must be met before further action is possible. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. While grammatically correct, it is relatively rare, appearing most frequently in news and media contexts. When writing, ensure the context warrants the strong emphasis this phrase provides; consider alternatives like "strict prerequisite" for conveying a similar meaning. Use with care to avoid sounding overly rigid where a more flexible approach is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Strict prerequisite

Emphasizes the compulsory nature of the requirement, similar to "hard" emphasizing the inflexibility.

Absolute necessity

Highlights the essential nature of the condition, indicating it's indispensable.

Non-negotiable requirement

Focuses on the unchangeable aspect of the condition, emphasizing that it cannot be altered.

Essential condition

Stresses the importance of the condition as a fundamental element.

Fundamental prerequisite

Highlights the basic and underlying nature of the necessary condition.

Mandatory provision

Implies that the condition is legally or officially required.

Key enabling factor

Shifts the focus to how the condition facilitates or makes something possible.

Indispensable element

Emphasizes that the condition is crucial and cannot be done without.

Critical success factor

Highlights the condition's role in achieving a desired outcome or goal.

Basic requirement

Focuses on the foundational nature of the condition, indicating it's a fundamental need.

FAQs

How is "hard precondition" used in formal writing?

In formal writing, "hard precondition" emphasizes a strict and non-negotiable requirement that must be met before any further action can be taken. It's used to highlight the critical and inflexible nature of a condition.

What are some alternatives to "hard precondition"?

Alternatives include "strict prerequisite", "absolute necessity", or "non-negotiable requirement". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "hard precondition" instead of "precondition"?

"Hard precondition" should be used when the condition is not only necessary but also inflexible and unchangeable. The addition of "hard" emphasizes the rigidity and importance of the condition compared to a general "precondition".

Is "hard precondition" the same as "soft precondition"?

No, "hard precondition" implies a strict, non-negotiable requirement, while a "soft precondition" suggests a more flexible or desirable but not absolutely necessary condition. They are contrasting concepts.