lay down a requirement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lay down a requirement" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when specifying or establishing a condition or standard that must be met in a particular context, such as in contracts or project guidelines. Example: "The project manager will lay down a requirement for the deliverables to ensure quality and compliance."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The court said: "The purpose of the directive is to lay down minimum requirements intended to improve the living and working conditions of workers through approximation of national provisions concerning in particular the duration of working time.

The Guardian - Money

It is appropriate to lay down minimum requirements for shipments of used EEE suspected to be WEEE, in the application of which Member States may have regard to any relevant Correspondents' Guidelines elaborated in the context of the implementation of Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2006 on shipments of waste.

European Parliament

Our solution was to focus on the problem headings themselves, and to lay down more stringent requirements for what we considered 'good linkage' and a better problem oriented medical record.

BMC Family Practice

Unilateral disengagement in Gaza weakened Palestinian moderates, enabled successive Israeli governments to drag their feet in peace negotiations and is even now being used by prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu, who opposed it at the time, to lay down Israeli security requirements for any future disengagement from the West Bank which would make a peace settlement almost impossible to achieve.

The Guardian - Opinion

We each lay down in a bunk.

The New Yorker

I went home and lay down for a nap.

Harvard University

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau didn't lay down any rules or requirements when it issued its call for simpler card agreements.

Los Angeles Times

Article 391 of the Law requires a marking to be placed on products subject to ecotax and provides that the Finance Minister shall lay down detailed rules for the implementation of this requirement.

Columbia University

4. The Commission may, by means of implementing acts, lay down further transitional arrangements in order to address difficulties faced by a Member State in satisfying the requirements referred to in paragraph 1 as a result of specific national circumstances.

European Parliament

Natasha lay down again.

The New Yorker

Alexei lay down below.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lay down a requirement", ensure the context is appropriate for a formal or semi-formal tone. Consider alternatives like "establish a requirement" for increased formality.

Common error

Avoid using "lay down a requirement" in highly informal contexts. Opt for simpler phrases like "require" or "need" for everyday communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lay down a requirement" functions as a verb phrase that introduces a new condition, standard, or specification. It sets a specific expectation or rule that needs to be followed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lay down a requirement" is a grammatically sound expression used to establish a specific condition or standard. While Ludwig AI confirms it's correct and usable, it is relatively uncommon, so consider stronger and more common alternatives. It fits best in professional or semi-formal contexts and aims to set clear expectations. The absence of examples means that we cannot provide additional context about the category where it is most used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

establish a requirement

Replaces "lay down" with "establish", offering a more formal tone.

set a requirement

Substitutes "lay down" with "set", providing a slightly less formal alternative.

stipulate a requirement

Replaces "lay down" with "stipulate", indicating a more precise and formal specification.

specify a requirement

Uses "specify" instead of "lay down", emphasizing clarity and detail in the requirement.

define a requirement

Employs "define" to highlight the act of clearly outlining the requirement.

prescribe a requirement

Substitutes "lay down" with "prescribe", suggesting an authoritative or mandatory element.

impose a requirement

Uses "impose" instead of "lay down", indicating a requirement that is enforced or binding.

formulate a requirement

Replaces "lay down" with "formulate", emphasizing the process of developing the requirement.

institute a requirement

Substitutes "lay down" with "institute", suggesting the formal introduction of the requirement.

determine a requirement

Employs "determine" to highlight the act of establishing the requirement after consideration.

FAQs

How can I use "lay down a requirement" in a sentence?

You can use "lay down a requirement" to introduce a specific condition or standard that must be met. For example, "The project manager will lay down a requirement for all deliverables to be submitted by Friday."

What can I say instead of "lay down a requirement"?

You can use alternatives like "establish a requirement", "set a requirement", or "specify a requirement" depending on the context.

Is "lay down a requirement" formal or informal?

"Lay down a requirement" is generally considered semi-formal. For more formal contexts, consider alternatives such as "establish a requirement" or "stipulate a requirement".

What's the difference between "lay down a requirement" and "impose a requirement"?

"Lay down a requirement" generally means to establish a new rule or condition. "Impose a requirement" suggests enforcing an existing requirement or making it binding.