a key prerequisite

USAGE SUMMARY

"a key prerequisite" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that is a necessary step or requirement before something else can happen. For example: "Having a valid driver's license is a key prerequisite for getting a car loan."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A key prerequisite for the research was to analyse and validate the statistics.

Safety Science

Mechanical integrity of the sealants in planar SOFC stacks is a key prerequisite for reliable operation.

Journal of Power Sources

Charge balancing over membranes is a key prerequisite to realistically describe electron transfer chains required for ATP biosynthesis.

Nature

Before 1949 computers lacked a key prerequisite for intelligence: they couldn't store commands, only execute them.

Harvard University

When it comes to fighting corruption, he notes, Montenegro lacks a key prerequisite: regular changes of government at elections.

The Economist

A key prerequisite for peace is the right of return for Palestinian refugees to the homes their families left behind in 1948.

The New York Times

A referendum on the new constitution has long been a key prerequisite for staging a vote, although full details of the compromise are yet to be made public.

The Guardian

Traceability is one of the basic tenets of all safety standards and a key prerequisite for software safety certification.

Information and Software Technology

The comprehensive knowledge of taxonomy, habitat requirements, and physiology of fish is a key prerequisite of using fish as indicators.

Trace Metals and other Contaminants in the Environment

A key prerequisite for a therapeutic application of ES cells is the generation of defined somatic cell populations.

Stanford University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The accompanying water--a key prerequisite for life--supports that picture.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a key prerequisite", ensure the sentence clearly explains why it is essential. Providing context helps the reader understand its significance.

Common error

Avoid using "a key prerequisite" for requirements that are inherently obvious. Instead, reserve it for conditions that are critical but not immediately apparent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a key prerequisite" functions as a noun phrase that identifies an essential condition or requirement. It highlights something that is necessary for a subsequent event or process to occur. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

73%

News & Media

13%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a key prerequisite" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression to emphasize a necessary condition. As Ludwig AI highlights, this expression is suitable for various contexts. Its high frequency in scientific and academic literature suggests a formal tone, where precision and clarity are valued. When incorporating "a key prerequisite" in writing, be sure to provide context and highlight why it is critical. While alternatives such as "an essential condition" or "a fundamental requirement" exist, "a key prerequisite" specifically implies a condition that must be met before something else can occur. Therefore, choosing it wisely can enhance clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an essential condition

Replaces 'prerequisite' with 'condition', focusing on the necessity aspect.

a fundamental requirement

Substitutes 'key' with 'fundamental' and 'prerequisite' with 'requirement', highlighting the basic nature of the need.

a critical necessity

Emphasizes the urgency and importance by using 'critical' and 'necessity'.

an indispensable element

Highlights that the item cannot be done without, changing 'prerequisite' to 'element'.

a vital component

Replaces 'prerequisite' with 'component', framing it as a part necessary for the whole.

a crucial factor

Focuses on the influence and importance of the factor.

a cornerstone principle

Highlights the foundational aspect, changing 'prerequisite' to 'principle'.

a basic stipulation

Replaces the wording for a more formal tone.

a primary necessity

Highlights the order of importance.

a mandatory provision

Emphasizes the obligatory nature of the requirement.

FAQs

How can I use "a key prerequisite" in a sentence?

Use "a key prerequisite" to introduce an essential condition that must be met before something else can occur. For example, "Sufficient funding is "a key prerequisite" for the project's success."

What are some alternatives to "a key prerequisite"?

You can use alternatives like "an essential condition", "a fundamental requirement", or "a critical necessity" depending on the context and the nuance you want to convey. Each of these stresses the importance of the element in question.

Is it redundant to say "essential prerequisite"?

Yes, saying "essential prerequisite" can be redundant because the word "prerequisite" already implies that something is essential. Using ""a key prerequisite"" or "an essential condition" avoids this redundancy.

What's the difference between "a key prerequisite" and "a key requirement"?

While both phrases indicate something necessary, ""a key prerequisite"" often implies a condition that must be met before something else can happen, whereas "a key requirement" can refer to something necessary throughout the process or activity.