What is a truth-condition?

A truth-condition is the specific condition or set of conditions that must be satisfied for a statement or sentence to be considered true.

In which fields is 'truth-condition' commonly used?

It is primarily used in academic fields such as philosophy of language, linguistics (especially semantics), logic, and related technical disciplines.

Is there a difference between British and American English usage of 'truth-condition'?

The main difference is orthographic: British English typically uses the hyphenated form 'truth-condition', while American English may use 'truth condition' without a hyphen; there are no significant differences in meaning or pronunciation.

Can 'truth-condition' be used as a verb or adjective?

No, 'truth-condition' is a noun. The adjective form is 'truth-conditional', as in 'truth-conditional semantics', and there is no standard verb form.

truth-condition

Low

UK/truːθ kənˈdɪʃən/US/truθ kənˈdɪʃən/

Formal, Academic, Technical

My Flashcards

Definition

Meaning

In semantics and philosophy, the condition or set of conditions under which a statement or sentence is true.

Extended to fields like logic and linguistics, referring to the criteria that determine the truth value of propositions or expressions.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

Central to truth-conditional semantics, where the meaning of a sentence is equated with its truth-conditions; often discussed in analytic philosophy and linguistic theory.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

Primarily spelling: in British English, often hyphenated as 'truth-condition', while in American English, it may be written as 'truth condition' without hyphen.

Connotations

Identical in both variants; no significant connotative differences.

Frequency

Equally rare in everyday usage; common in academic disciplines such as philosophy and linguistics in both regions.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

truth-condition of a sentencetruth-condition semantics

medium

establish truth-conditionsanalyse truth-conditions

weak

discuss truth-conditionsdefine truth-condition

Grammar

Valency Patterns

of + noun phrase (e.g., truth-condition of the proposition)

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Strong

semantic condition

Neutral

truth criterionverification condition

Weak

condition for truthtruth requirement

Vocabulary

Antonyms

falsity condition

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Rarely used; may appear in technical contexts like contract analysis or decision-making frameworks.

Academic

Common in philosophy, linguistics, and logic courses, research papers, and theoretical discussions.

Everyday

Almost never used in casual conversation.

Technical

Frequently used in semantics, formal logic, computational linguistics, and artificial intelligence.

Examples

By CEFR Level

We learn in class that a sentence has a truth-condition.

The truth-condition of a statement tells us when it is true.

Philosophers often debate the truth-conditions of complex propositions.

In truth-conditional semantics, the meaning of a sentence is derived from its truth-conditions across possible worlds.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think: 'Truth-condition' specifies the 'condition' for something to be 'true'.

Conceptual Metaphor

Language as a map of reality, where truth-conditions are the coordinates for truth.

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

Direct translation to 'условие истинности' is generally accurate, but ensure context in academic or technical texts to avoid over-literal interpretation.

Common Mistakes

Misspelling as 'truth condition' without hyphen in British contexts, or confusing with 'truth value', which refers to the actual truth or falsity.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

The of a sentence determines the circumstances under which it is true.

Multiple Choice

What does 'truth-condition' primarily refer to?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: A truth-condition is the specific condition or set of conditions that must be satisfied for a statement or sentence to be considered true.
: It is primarily used in academic fields such as philosophy of language, linguistics (especially semantics), logic, and related technical disciplines.
: The main difference is orthographic: British English typically uses the hyphenated form 'truth-condition', while American English may use 'truth condition' without a hyphen; there are no significant differences in meaning or pronunciation.
: No, 'truth-condition' is a noun. The adjective form is 'truth-conditional', as in 'truth-conditional semantics', and there is no standard verb form.