a key criterion for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a key criterion for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing an important standard or requirement that is necessary for a particular purpose or evaluation. Example: "A key criterion for selecting candidates is their relevant experience in the field."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

" A key criterion for the granting of the licences was that all non-lethal control methods, such as creating places for pheasants to hide and diverting buzzards away by leaving food out, had been unsuccessfully tried.

The Guardian

The leadership in Beijing has in response enacted tough new environmental restrictions, made environmental protection a key criterion for promotion of local officials and, yes, used the symbolism of the Olympics to galvanise change.

The Economist

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, who is seeking support for another term at the party meeting, has been quoted in the Vietnamese press as saying that the reform of state-owned enterprises is a "key criterion for a market economy".

The New York Times

Numbers are pervasive in finance and beyond: share prices; price-earnings ratios (a key criterion for professional investors); bond ratings (which are not literally numbers, but have a quasi-numeric "hard fact" quality); school and hospital league tables; surgeons' success rates; university departments' Research Assessment scores.

The Guardian - Books

A key criterion for shape memory alloys is the martensite start temperature.

Acta Materialia

In this sense, monotonic convergence to the behavior of the target system is a key criterion for whether the model is confirmed.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

In its report on Romania, the commission said the country could not yet be declared a "functioning market economy," a key criteria for entry into the Union.

The New York Times

At the same time, developing country governments have demonstrated their own financial commitment to agriculture, a key criteria for GAFSP recipients.

The Guardian - Opinion

Jones said that "independence of action is a key criteria for me" and would allow S4C to champion Welsh-language viewers' interests.

The Guardian

And that question of "realness" in portraiture, too, seems to be a key criteria for Peters, who in explaining what he looks for in a painting said, "the end result has to look like the subjects.

The Guardian

With REF making research impact a key criteria for universities, pressure is mounting on university staff and academics; due to limited funding, time and expertise, some university departments are now having to seek extra resources to help with the process of communicating their research.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a key criterion for", ensure it is followed by a clear and specific noun or gerund phrase to avoid ambiguity. For instance, "A key criterion for success is consistent effort."

Common error

Avoid using "a key criterion for" repeatedly in the same paragraph or section. This can make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, vary your language by using synonyms such as "an essential factor" or "a primary requirement".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a key criterion for" functions as an introductory phrase that identifies an essential standard, rule, or test used to evaluate or judge something. It is commonly employed to highlight the importance of a specific requirement, as Ludwig AI confirms.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

61%

News & Media

29%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a key criterion for" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to introduce an essential standard or requirement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for formal and scientific contexts, emphasizing the importance of a particular factor in decision-making or evaluation. While versatile, it's best to avoid overuse by employing synonyms like "an essential factor" or "a primary requirement". This ensures clarity and prevents redundancy. Remember to follow it with a specific noun or gerund phrase for clarity, as in "A key criterion for evaluating the proposal is its feasibility".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a primary requirement for

Replaces "criterion" with "requirement", emphasizing necessity.

a crucial element for

Substitutes "criterion" with "element", highlighting importance as a component.

an essential standard for

Uses "standard" instead of "criterion", focusing on a benchmark.

a fundamental basis for

Replaces "criterion" with "basis", suggesting a foundational aspect.

a vital component of

Emphasizes the phrase is a "vital component" rather than a criterion.

a significant factor in

Shifts focus to a "significant factor", indicating influence.

a major determinant of

Highlights the phrase as a "major determinant" influencing an outcome.

a leading indicator of

Presents the phrase as a "leading indicator", suggesting predictive value.

a central consideration for

Highlights the importance of the phrase as something to consider.

a prerequisite for

Emphasizes that the phrase is a necessary condition that must be satisfied

FAQs

How can I use "a key criterion for" in a sentence?

Use "a key criterion for" to introduce an essential standard or requirement. For example, "A key criterion for evaluating the proposal is its feasibility".

What are some alternatives to "a key criterion for"?

You can use alternatives like "a primary requirement for", "a crucial element for", or "an essential standard for" to express a similar meaning.

Is it better to say "a key criterion for" or "key criteria for"?

Use "a key criterion for" when referring to a single, important factor. Use "key criteria for" when discussing multiple important factors.

What's the difference between "a key criterion for" and "a key factor for"?

"A key criterion for" emphasizes a specific standard or requirement that must be met, while "a key factor for" highlights an element that contributes significantly to an outcome. The former is more prescriptive.