Hard requirement

USAGE SUMMARY

"hard requirement" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase "hard requirement" when referring to a strict rule that must be followed. For example: "Our company has a hard requirement that employees must take two weeks of vacation per year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"That instrument panel was the first with a hard requirement for smell, a number which we should meet".

The New York Times

Shortening hospital stays (No. 13) requires having someone in the community — family, a social worker — to receive the patient; that's an especially hard requirement for hospitals that treat a lot of low-income or homeless people.

The New York Times

In order to successfully eliminate and tearing in the display or notes jumping, we had a hard requirement of 15 FPS for drawing the notes and updating the scoring metrics.

Cornell University

This is a trade-off we were willing to take as we had a hard requirement in not allowing any tearing or jumping in the note animation thread in order to enhance user experience.

Cornell University

$ETH as Gas is a metaphor for how gasoline is consumed; there is no hard requirement for Gas in an Ethereum contract.

TechCrunch

Technology enables the more efficient capture and distribution of that data at scale, but it isn't a hard requirement for gamification.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Approaches for finding creative design solutions to problems with difficult specifications and hard requirements.

Stanford University

Many of these controls are based on hard requirements but they are also based on specific lessons learned.

Safety Design for Space Operations

The main focus is automotive application because they pose extremely hard requirements in terms of ambient parameters, life-time and programming cycles.

Microelectronics Reliability

Nobody gets fired for making something merely meet the hard requirements, even if it fails the "soft" requirement of "not sucking".

TechCrunch

The approach consists of "soft" obligations to search for a job and attend training, or of "hard" requirements to participate in public works or community work.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hard requirement", ensure that it is clearly defined and understood by all parties involved to avoid ambiguity and ensure compliance.

Common error

Avoid using "hard requirement" when describing something that is merely preferred or recommended. "Hard requirement" implies a strict, non-negotiable condition. Use phrases like "strong recommendation" or "preferred approach" when flexibility is acceptable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard requirement" functions as a noun phrase, where "hard" modifies the noun "requirement". According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It typically acts as a subject complement or object in a sentence, specifying a mandatory condition.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

10%

Science

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hard requirement" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that signifies a strict, non-negotiable condition or specification. Ludwig AI confirms this, indicating that it's appropriate to use when clarity and certainty are paramount. While the phrase isn't exceedingly common, appearing with "Uncommon" frequency, it's found across various authoritative sources, including The New York Times, TechCrunch, and Forbes. Its function is to state a mandatory condition, its purpose is to eliminate ambiguity, and its register leans towards neutral to professional. When using "hard requirement", ensure it reflects a truly inflexible condition and avoid confusing it with suggestions or preferences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Non-negotiable condition

Stresses the lack of flexibility or compromise.

Strict necessity

Focuses on the mandatory and inflexible nature.

Inflexible rule

Highlights the rigid and unyielding nature of the rule.

Rigorous demand

Highlights the demanding and exacting aspect.

Firm prerequisite

Emphasizes that it is a necessary condition that must be met beforehand.

Mandatory provision

Emphasizes the obligatory nature of the requirement.

Essential stipulation

Highlights the importance and necessity of the condition.

Imperative constraint

Stresses the limiting and unavoidable nature of the constraint.

Critical specification

Focuses on the technical or detailed aspect of the requirement.

Binding obligation

Focuses on the legally or morally compulsory aspect.

FAQs

How to use "hard requirement" in a sentence?

You can use "hard requirement" to emphasize a strict condition that must be met. For example: "Meeting the deadline is a "hard requirement" for project approval."

What can I say instead of "hard requirement"?

Alternatives to "hard requirement" include "strict necessity", "rigorous demand", or "non-negotiable condition" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "hard requirement" or "soft requirement"?

"Hard requirement" and "soft requirement" are both correct but have opposite meanings. A ""hard requirement"" is mandatory, while a "soft requirement" is desirable but not essential.

What's the difference between "hard requirement" and "essential requirement"?

While both imply necessity, a ""hard requirement"" often suggests inflexibility and strict adherence, whereas "essential requirement" emphasizes the importance for achieving a specific outcome.