prerequisite to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prerequisite to be" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used when discussing requirements or conditions that must be met before something can occur or be achieved. Example: "A strong understanding of basic mathematics is a prerequisite to be successful in this advanced calculus course."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Indeed, many journalists still regard it as a prerequisite to be openly contemptuous of their employers.

The Guardian

This is a prerequisite to be able to trade with supermarkets in Europe and the US.

The Guardian

"In modern American politics, for important races in big media states, money is a necessary prerequisite to be competitive, but it does not guarantee success," said Jeffrey Plaut, a Democratic political consultant in New York City.

The New York Times

A little more than half the districts said state certification was not a prerequisite to be a substitute, compared with only one-third of the districts that responded to last year's survey.

The New York Times

So readily does it congeal into schmaltz, so quickly can it become as insufferable as those wretched Mitch Albom books about the people you'd hope to avoid when you died, that its absence has become almost a prerequisite to be taken seriously as a literary writer.

The Guardian - Books

"Judging with this criterion, some people in the S.A.R. who are currently in positions of power do not meet this prerequisite to be rulers of Hong Kong," it said, referring to Hong Kong's designation as a Special Administrative Region of China.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

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

The New York Times

Political charm, of course, is not a prerequisite to being a successful mayor.

The New York Times

Because his project has always been to resist emphatically the notion that African identity must be erased as a prerequisite to being called civilized.

The New Yorker

If Pope John Paul II approves the decision, Mother Teresa, who died in 1997, could be beatified -- a prerequisite to being canonized -- as early as next year.

The New York Times

"The prerequisite to being able to do all that is what my mother summarises like this: what counts is being healthy".

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity and grammatical correctness, consider using alternatives like "requirement to be" or "condition to be" instead of "prerequisite to be".

Common error

While "prerequisite to be" might seem sophisticated, simpler alternatives like "necessary to be" often enhance readability and avoid potential grammatical scrutiny.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prerequisite to be" functions as a noun modifier, indicating a condition or requirement that must be fulfilled. While frequently used, it's considered grammatically awkward. As Ludwig AI suggests, more direct alternatives often enhance clarity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

44%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Academia

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "prerequisite to be" is commonly used, it isn't considered grammatically ideal. Ludwig AI flags it as not entirely correct, suggesting that alternatives like "requirement to be" or "condition to be" often offer greater clarity and grammatical soundness. Although it appears across various contexts, including news, media, and scientific publications, opting for simpler alternatives can enhance the precision and readability of your writing. Therefore, while understandable, "prerequisite to be" should be used with caution, especially in formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

requirement to be

Replaces "prerequisite" with a more straightforward synonym, "requirement".

precondition to be

Synonym with "prerequisite", less common but still accurate.

condition to be

Substitutes "prerequisite" with "condition", highlighting the necessary circumstance.

qualification to be

Focuses on the necessary qualities or skills.

necessary to be

Emphasizes the need without specifying the type of requirement.

essential to be

Highlights the crucial nature of the requirement.

imperative to be

Stresses the mandatory aspect.

indispensable to be

Indicates that something is absolutely necessary.

fundamental to be

Highlights the foundational aspect of the requirement.

must be

Simplifies the expression to its core meaning of necessity.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "prerequisite to be"?

You can use alternatives like "requirement to be", "condition to be", or "necessary to be" depending on the context.

Is "prerequisite to be" grammatically correct?

While commonly used, "prerequisite to be" is not considered grammatically ideal. Simpler and more direct alternatives are generally preferred.

How to use "prerequisite to be" in a sentence?

Example: "Having a valid driver's license is a "prerequisite to be" eligible to rent a car.". Though consider using a better alternative like: "Having a valid driver's license is a requirement to be eligible to rent a car."

What is the difference between "prerequisite to be" and "requirement to be"?

"Requirement to be" is a more grammatically sound and direct way of expressing the same concept as "prerequisite to be". "Requirement" is a clearer and less verbose choice.