a precondition for

USAGE SUMMARY

"a precondition for" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something is necessary or required in order for another thing to happen or exist. It often implies that if the precondition is not met, the desired outcome may not be achieved. Example: "Investing in education is a precondition for a prosperous society." This sentence means that in order to have a prosperous society, it is necessary to invest in education. Without investing in education, the desired outcome of a prosperous society may not be possible.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Because oxygen, apparently, is a precondition for complex, multicellular life.

MIT Technology Review

So the modern period is a precondition for these policies.

The New York Times - Arts

Some countries made industrial investments a precondition for resource deals.

The Economist

He viewed agricultural development as a precondition for industrialization.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Process modelling serves as a precondition for process model analysis.

Journal of Systems and Software

Proliferation of literacy is considered a precondition for the creation of such texts.

Harvard University

Are Weberian bureaucracies a precondition for capitalist markets or is it the other way around?

Stanford University

Students seized five campus buildings and demanded amnesty as a precondition for negotiations.

Columbia University

They were a precondition for the bank's actions, and continue to carry importance.

The New York Times

Degradation refers to drainage, the latter being a precondition for further management.

Nature

The reform of the welfare state is also a precondition for the success of future generations.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a precondition for", ensure the sentence clearly establishes the relationship between the precondition and the resulting outcome. This helps avoid ambiguity and strengthens the logical flow of your writing.

Common error

Avoid assuming the reader understands why something is "a precondition for" something else. Explicitly state or imply the reasoning to ensure clarity and avoid misinterpretations. For example, instead of just stating "Education is a precondition for success", explain how education contributes to success in the given context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a precondition for" functions as a noun phrase acting as a predicate nominative or object complement. It identifies a necessary condition that must be satisfied before a specific outcome or state can be achieved. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

21%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a precondition for" is a frequently used and grammatically sound phrase that highlights a necessary condition for a specific outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it appears across various authoritative sources, including news, scientific, and academic domains. When using this phrase, ensure the relationship between the precondition and the outcome is clear to avoid ambiguity. Related phrases such as "a prerequisite for" or "essential to" can offer alternative ways to express similar ideas. Remember to explicitly state the reasoning behind the precondition to enhance understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a prerequisite for

Replaces "precondition" with "prerequisite", emphasizing a requirement that must be met beforehand.

crucial for

Stresses the critical importance of something.

a requirement for

Focuses on an official or stipulated need.

indispensable to

Highlights the irreplaceable nature of something.

a necessity for

Emphasizes the essential nature of something, highlighting its indispensability.

integral to

Emphasizes the inherent and necessary connection to something.

an essential for

Highlights something crucial, though it may not strictly be required in every case.

a fundamental for

Highlights something that serves as a basic element or foundation.

a must-have for

Suggests something is highly desirable or virtually essential.

a cornerstone of

Implies that something is an essential foundation on which something else depends.

FAQs

How can I use "a precondition for" in a sentence?

Use "a precondition for" to indicate that something is necessary before something else can happen or exist. For example, "Adherence to safety protocols is "a precondition for" operating this machinery safely".

What can I say instead of "a precondition for"?

You can use alternatives like "a requirement for", "a prerequisite for", or "essential to" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "precondition to" or "precondition for"?

"Precondition" is typically followed by "for". While "precondition to" might be understood, ""a precondition for"" is the standard and more grammatically correct phrasing.

What's the difference between "a precondition for" and "a cause of"?

"A precondition for" is something that must exist or happen before something else can occur, whereas "a cause of" directly leads to something. A precondition sets the stage, while a cause initiates the event.