loose requirement

USAGE SUMMARY

"loose requirement" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to a requirement that is not strictly defined or is flexible. An example is: "The project has a loose requirement for the design specifications." Alternative expressions include "flexible requirement" and "vague requirement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Mr. Volkman also pointed out that competitive bidding has always been a loose requirement.

The New York Times

It's a fairly loose requirement, but Mr. Watson follows it — the letters of "Musostics" show up in the album's nine song titles — along with equally demanding self-imposed convolutions that hark back to the whimsical 1970s progressive rock of groups like Soft Machine.

The New York Times - Arts

The TSA suggestion for a zip-top is a loose requirement.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The overdoses highlight how little some in the medical profession understand about the operation of these scanning devices and the nature of radiation injuries, as well as the loose requirements for reporting accidents when they are detected.

The New York Times - Health

The loose requirements in the original plan have contributed to confusion over what the Treasury intended when it abruptly shelved its first proposal — to buy up bad mortgages — in favor of making direct investments in individual banks in return for preferred shares of stock.

The New York Times

Lenders were also throwing cheap money at other borrowers, such as corporations, with loose requirements for collateral or other repayment guarantees, he adds.

Forbes

Second, there are rather loose requirements for board certification in Japan.

BMC Medical Education

Close examination showed that this conflict was caused by a slightly looser requirement of homology during the KEGG mapping.

BMC Genomics

For other students, there is a "minimum plan" with looser requirements.

The New York Times

Subprime lenders began offering loans at lower rates and with even looser requirements.

The Economist

But Müller said no such deal would be forthcoming in Europe, where looser requirements on diesel emissions mean less work needs to be done on affected vehicles.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing standards or regulations, use "loose requirement" to indicate flexibility and a lack of strict enforcement.

Common error

Avoid misspelling "loose requirement" as "lose requirement". "Loose" describes something not tightly controlled, whereas "lose" means to misplace something.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "loose requirement" functions as a noun phrase, where 'loose' modifies 'requirement'. It describes the characteristic of a requirement, indicating that it is not strict or rigid. Ludwig confirms that it is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "loose requirement" is a valid and understandable phrase used to describe a requirement that is not strictly enforced. Ludwig's analysis of numerous sources confirms that it appears in different contexts such as news, wikis, and scientific articles. While its frequency is relatively rare, it's grammatically sound and conveys a sense of flexibility or lack of rigidity. Consider using more precise alternatives like "flexible requirement" in formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

soft requirement

Indicates a requirement that isn't rigidly enforced and allows for flexibility.

flexible requirement

Highlights the adaptability and adjustability of the requirement.

relaxed requirement

Emphasizes a reduction in the strictness or rigidity of the requirement.

weak requirement

Suggests the requirement lacks strength or enforcement power.

vague requirement

Implies the requirement is not clearly defined or specified.

loose condition

Similar to "loose requirement", but uses 'condition' to describe the parameter.

free requirement

Suggests a requirement that offers a high degree of freedom or flexibility.

lax requirement

Synonymous, with emphasis on the negligence to make the requirement more strict.

loose criterion

Similar meaning with requirement but emphasizes assessment or decision-making.

cool requirement

An informal way to describe a relaxed or undemanding expectation.

FAQs

What does "loose requirement" mean?

A "loose requirement" signifies a guideline or condition that is not strictly enforced, offering flexibility in its interpretation or implementation.

How can I use "loose requirement" in a sentence?

You might say, "The project's success hinges on meeting a few key objectives, but there's a "soft requirement" for additional features.".

What are some alternatives to "loose requirement"?

Alternatives include phrases like "flexible requirement", "relaxed requirement", or "non-strict requirement".

Is it appropriate to use "loose requirement" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, consider the context. In highly formal or technical writing, a more precise term like "flexible guideline" or "non-mandatory specification" may be preferable.