stringent

USAGE SUMMARY

'stringent' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an adjective used to describe something as strict, severe, or exacting. Example sentence: The professor has stringent guidelines for the final research paper.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But entering any such "debt workout" would inevitably come with a hefty dose of political humiliation and stringent conditions attached.

The Guardian - Business

The EU's competition commissioner, Joaquín Almunia, had expressed scepticism that the Hinkley Point C scheme could satisfy the EU's stringent state aid criteria after the UK government agreed to underwrite the project with a loan guarantee and a commitment on the price of the electricity generated by the power station.

The Guardian

At this year's G20 meeting, it was "rightwing" France and Germany which – having described the financial crisis as the result of Anglo-Saxon "light-touch regulation" – demanded more stringent government supervision of offshore banking and hedge funds, while "social democrat" Britain had doubts about the efficacy of interfering with the private sector.

The Guardian - Opinion

Since we started operating in 2006, anyone providing workers to gather shellfish on a commercial scale must be licensed and operate within our stringent standards.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is subject to stringent treatment standards – according to Professor Paul Younger, a hydro geochemist, these make it safer than bottled water.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But stringent austerity measures quickly got the economy back on track.

The Guardian

Iran would accept stringent limits on its programme for at least 10 years and in return would benefit from sanctions relief that would reintegrate its economy with the rest of the world.

The Guardian

Reichelt said the draft permit assessment had been conducted before stringent conditions - the strictest ever imposed on an application of its type - were put in place by the environment minister.

The Guardian

Impact assessments need to be mandatory, with non-compliant organisations facing stringent penalties.

The Guardian

Stringent cuts imposed on Athens in return for €240bn (£201bn) in rescue funds from the European Union, International Monetary Fund and European Central Bank, have resulted in the country's health budget being slashed by close to 40%.

The Guardian

The reason is that the government's targets are very stringent, and everyone in the hospital is working towards meeting them.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "stringent" with specific nouns such as "measures", "conditions", or "standards" to create a clear and impactful statement.

Common error

Avoid using "stringent" in casual conversation or informal writing where simpler words like "strict" or "firm" might be more appropriate. "Stringent" is best reserved for formal contexts where a high degree of rigor is implied.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "stringent" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe the intensity or strictness of something, such as "stringent regulations" or "stringent conditions". As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable word in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

32%

Science

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "stringent" is a versatile adjective used to describe rules, regulations, or conditions that are exceptionally strict or severe. As Ludwig AI points out, it's a correct and usable word in English. The examples provided by Ludwig show its prevalence in formal writing across fields like News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science. When writing, remember that while "stringent" is widely accepted, overuse in informal contexts should be avoided. Closely related alternatives include "strict", "rigorous", and "severe", each offering slightly different nuances. By using "stringent" judiciously, you can effectively communicate the demanding nature of requirements and standards.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strict

Focuses on adherence to rules or standards, differing from "stringent" which implies a higher level of severity.

rigorous

Emphasizes thoroughness and exactness, while "stringent" highlights the demanding nature of requirements.

severe

Implies harshness or intensity, whereas "stringent" specifically relates to the demanding nature of rules or conditions.

tight

Suggests limited resources or control, differing from "stringent" which emphasizes strictness in regulations or requirements.

demanding

Focuses on the high expectations and effort required, unlike "stringent" which is centered on strictness.

exacting

Highlights the need for accuracy and precision, while "stringent" emphasizes the imposition of strict standards.

rigid

Implies inflexibility and unyielding nature, differing from "stringent" which emphasizes strict enforcement.

tough

Suggests difficulty and resilience, whereas "stringent" focuses on the imposition of strict rules.

firm

Implies resoluteness and steadfastness, while "stringent" is more focused on the strictness of requirements.

strict enforcement

Highlights the action of enforcing rules strictly, differing from "stringent" which is an adjective describing the rules themselves.

FAQs

How can I use "stringent" in a sentence?

You can use "stringent" to describe rules, measures, or conditions that are very strict or severe. For example, "The company has "stringent quality control" measures in place" or "Stringent austerity measures were implemented to stabilize the economy".

What words can I use instead of "stringent"?

Alternatives to "stringent" include "strict", "rigorous", "severe", or "demanding". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is there a difference between "strict" and "stringent"?

While both words imply adherence to rules, "stringent" suggests a higher degree of strictness and severity than "strict". "Stringent" is often used in more formal or serious contexts.

What are some common phrases that use "stringent"?

Common phrases include "stringent measures", "stringent conditions", "stringent standards", and "stringent regulations". These phrases are frequently used in news, business, and legal contexts.