exacting demands

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exacting demands" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe requirements or expectations that are very precise and strict, often in a challenging context. Example: "The project manager had exacting demands for the quality of work, leaving no room for error."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

But there is another reason the Maryinsky bows to Mr. Gergiev's exacting demands.

The New York Times - Arts

Poe didn't write "The Raven" to answer the exacting demands of a philosophic Art, or not entirely, anyway.

The New Yorker

A manikin in carefully tailored suits, he makes no apology for his exacting demands on how the millions he has donated are spent, nor the consequences for failure.

The New York Times - Arts

Rather, it's that a high sexual ideal can shape how quickly and casually people pair off, even when they aren't living up to its exacting demands.

The New York Times

That meant making exacting demands of contractors like Cormac Creed of J. T. Magen & Company, who worked with Mr. Zaltsman on projects like the Picower Foundation.

The New York Times

When Thornton had her first child, part-time working wasn't allowed and she went back to the exacting demands of shift work.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

On the sideline, Mulkey conducts her team with an operatic sensibility and exacting demand.

The New York Times - Sports

Meticulous in his personal life, exacting, demanding and stoic, he ran through the heats upright and looking down his nose, as if rushing with his attaché case to catch a plane but not wanting to rush too much.

The New York Times

When defending is done "right," it's exacting, demanding, and just a little stressful.

Vice

Scores more stood on pavements and street corners unable to articulate their exact demands – they just knew they wanted justice.

The Guardian

ISTORE provides a generic server platform designed to be specialized to match the exact demands of a specific network service application, providing the benefits of a fully-custom-built server, or appliance, without the complexity of constructing one from scratch.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "exacting demands" when you want to emphasize not only the difficulty, but also the precision and strictness of the requirements.

Common error

While "exacting demands" is a perfectly valid phrase, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler terms like "high expectations" or "strict requirements" when communicating informally.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exacting demands" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where 'exacting' modifies 'demands'. It describes the nature of the demands as being very precise and strict. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature, appearing frequently across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exacting demands" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that signifies strict and precise requirements. According to Ludwig AI, it is usable in written English. As evidenced by Ludwig's examples, it appears most often in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, indicating a formal register. While interchangeable with alternatives like "stringent requirements" or "rigorous expectations", "exacting demands" emphasizes the precision and lack of flexibility in those requirements. When using the phrase, ensure that the context is appropriate and specific to maximize its impact and avoid sounding overly formal in casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stringent requirements

Emphasizes the strictness and rigidity of the requirements.

rigorous expectations

Highlights the thoroughness and precision expected.

strict preconditions

Focuses on conditions that must be met without deviation.

precise specifications

Points to the accuracy and detail required in specifications.

challenging criteria

Highlights the difficulty in meeting the set criteria.

tough stipulations

Underscores the difficulty and non-negotiable aspect of the stipulations.

demanding standards

Focuses on the high level of quality and effort required.

high expectations

A broader term, indicating elevated levels of anticipation.

firm prerequisites

Highlights the non-negotiable nature of the prerequisites.

rigid guidelines

Focuses on the inflexibility and strictness of the guidelines.

FAQs

How can I use "exacting demands" in a sentence?

You can use "exacting demands" to describe situations where strict and precise requirements are in place. For example, "The project had "exacting demands" for accuracy and timely completion."

What are some alternatives to "exacting demands"?

Some alternatives to "exacting demands" include "stringent requirements", "rigorous expectations", or "strict preconditions" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "exacting demands" or "high demands"?

"Exacting demands" implies a greater degree of precision and strictness compared to the more general phrase "high demands". Use "exacting demands" when the precision of the requirements is a key factor.

What is the difference between "exacting demands" and "challenging criteria"?

"Exacting demands" emphasizes the strict and precise nature of the requirements, while "challenging criteria" focuses on the difficulty of meeting those requirements. They can be used interchangeably but have slight differences.