enabling condition

USAGE SUMMARY

"enabling condition" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a set of circumstances that enables or allows something to happen, such as a change in policy, development of a new product, or the implementation of a new system. For example, "The successful completion of the project will hinge on the right enabling conditions being in place."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

It was designed to ensure that the relation expressed in the subsequent conditional was interpreted as an enabling condition, as its action needed to be carried out in conjunction with the action described in the conditional (e.g., squeezing the lid and twisting it).

Acta Psychologica

Overcoming those pitfalls requires a new enabling condition: a shared mindset.

Harvard Business Review

Only when an enabling condition occurred the Saylor family tragedy and the ensuing media storm did the latent error trigger a crisis.

Harvard Business Review

Whether an enabling condition transforms a near miss into a crisis generally depends on chance; thus, it makes little sense to try to predict or control enabling conditions.

Harvard Business Review

Within this philosophy, dance appears as an activity that humans evolved to do as the enabling condition of their best bodily becoming.

Columbia University

Both were efforts to bolster its distinctive identity within Britain.The retreat from empire was the enabling condition for modern Scottish nationalism.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

The final two experiments (3a and 3b) compare the inferences people make from counterfactual conditionals when enabling conditions are made explicitly available and when they are not.

Acta Psychologica

Brac creates the enabling conditions for people to organise themselves".

The Guardian

"There are certain enabling conditions that government needs to be responsible for.

The Guardian

Together the four enabling conditions form a recipe for building an effective team from scratch.

Harvard Business Review

These latent errors combine with enabling conditions to produce a significant failure.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "enabling condition", ensure that you clearly articulate what it enables. Avoid vague references; specify the outcome or process that the condition facilitates.

Common error

Be careful not to mistake an enabling condition for a sufficient condition. An enabling condition allows something to happen, while a sufficient condition guarantees it. For example, having a driver's license is an enabling condition for driving a car, but it is not sufficient – you also need a car, gas, etc.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "enabling condition" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies a factor that allows or facilitates a particular event or process. As shown in Ludwig, it's often used to analyze underlying causes or prerequisites.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "enabling condition" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a factor that, while not sufficient on its own, is necessary for a particular outcome or process. Ludwig's analysis indicates that it functions primarily to explain the preconditions required for an event or development to occur. It is most commonly found in scientific, news, and formal business contexts. According to Ludwig, the phrase is indeed correct and usable in written English, referring to a set of circumstances that allows something to happen. When using this phrase, ensure you clearly articulate what it enables to avoid vagueness. Be mindful of the distinction between enabling conditions and sufficient conditions to maintain clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

critical requirement

This option highlights the importance of the condition for fulfilling a specific need or goal.

indispensable aspect

This stresses that the condition is absolutely necessary and cannot be done without.

necessary prerequisite

This alternative highlights the requirement aspect, emphasizing that the condition is essential for something else to occur.

essential element

This alternative stresses the fundamental nature of the condition, implying it cannot be omitted.

facilitating factor

This alternative focuses on the supportive role of the condition, making something easier or more likely to happen.

favorable circumstance

This suggests the condition creates a beneficial context for something to succeed.

underlying factor

This alternative suggests a more fundamental or foundational role for the condition.

supporting element

This phrase underscores how the condition bolsters or sustains another aspect.

contributing circumstance

This option emphasizes the role of the condition as one of several factors that together lead to a particular outcome.

positive influence

This alternative focuses on the beneficial aspect of the condition, leading to a favorable result.

FAQs

How is "enabling condition" used in academic writing?

In academic writing, "enabling condition" refers to a factor that, while not sufficient on its own, is necessary for a particular outcome or process to occur. It's often used in theoretical discussions to explain preconditions for social, economic, or political phenomena.

What are some "synonyms for enabling condition"?

Alternatives to "enabling condition" include "facilitating factor", "necessary prerequisite", "contributing circumstance", and "critical requirement", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "enabling condition" or "necessary condition"?

While closely related, "enabling condition" often implies a more active or facilitative role compared to the more general term "necessary condition". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of active contribution you want to emphasize.

How can I identify the "enabling conditions" in a project?

To identify the "enabling conditions" for a project, consider the factors that must be in place for the project to succeed. This may include resources, support, infrastructure, and policies that, while not guaranteeing success, are essential for progress.