prerequisite to

USAGE SUMMARY

"prerequisite to" is correct and can be used in written English.
To use this phrase, you could say something like: "Finding a job is a prerequisite to financial security."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Survival is the prerequisite to making a difference," he said.

The New York Times

A ttention, of course, is a prerequisite to remembering.

The New York Times - Magazine

An adequate infrastructure is a prerequisite to economic development.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Treatment is not a prerequisite to surviving addiction".

The New York Times

Real independence of "independent" directors is a prerequisite to fulfilling their intended roles.

The New York Times

A low opinion of humankind may be a prerequisite to full enjoyment of the series.

The New Yorker

We believe sustainable investing is a prerequisite to securing long term returns".

The Guardian

Isn't the out-of-touch-Dad lecture a prerequisite to hitting life's turning points?

The New York Times

Lilly, too, suggests that clinical trials should be a prerequisite to generic approval.

The New York Times

Membership in a regional group is a prerequisite to being elected to many United Nations committees.

The New York Times

A prerequisite to the inclusive prosperity that will increase equality and reduce poverty is growth.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "prerequisite to" to clearly establish that one thing must occur or be in place before something else can happen. This clarifies the order of operations or necessary conditions for a particular outcome.

Common error

While similar, "requisite for" simply means required or necessary. "Prerequisite to" specifies that the requirement must be fulfilled before something else can occur. Make sure you are using "prerequisite to" when sequence matters, and not merely necessity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prerequisite to" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun, indicating a necessary condition or requirement that must be met before something else can occur. Ludwig confirms this usage is common across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

29%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prerequisite to" is a prepositional phrase used to indicate that one thing is required before another can happen. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and common in a variety of contexts, especially in News & Media and Science. When writing, use it to clearly establish dependencies and order of operations. While synonyms exist, "prerequisite to" specifically conveys a temporal requirement. When using this phrase be sure to avoid confusing it with 'requisite for' and other similar alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a precondition for

Uses a synonym of prerequisite, highlighting the prior condition.

required for

Directly states that something is obligatory or needed.

necessary for

Focuses on the necessity of one thing for another, without necessarily implying sequence.

essential for

Highlights the crucial nature of something required for a specific outcome.

fundamental to

Emphasizes that something forms a necessary base or core.

a must-have for

Emphasizes that something is indispensable.

integral to

Indicates that something is an essential part of the whole.

dependent on

Highlights the reliance of one thing on another.

conditional on

Suggests that something will only occur if a specific condition is met.

a stepping stone to

Implies that something is an intermediate stage toward a final goal.

FAQs

How can I use "prerequisite to" in a sentence?

The phrase "prerequisite to" indicates something that is required before something else can happen. For example, "A valid driver's license is a "prerequisite to" renting a car."

What is a synonym for "prerequisite to"?

Synonyms for "prerequisite to" include "required for", "necessary for", and "essential to". These phrases all suggest a condition that must be met beforehand.

Is it correct to say 'prerequisite of' instead of "prerequisite to"?

While 'prerequisite' can be followed by 'of' in some contexts, when indicating that something is a prerequisite for something else, the correct phrasing is "prerequisite to". For example, say "Experience is a "prerequisite to" success" not "Experience is a prerequisite of success."

What's the difference between "prerequisite to" and "requirement for"?

Both phrases indicate something necessary, but "prerequisite to" specifically implies a temporal order. A "requirement for" something is simply a necessary condition. A "prerequisite to" something must be fulfilled before it.