16

In mathematical/scientific texts, conditions that are true (within context) are said to

  • hold
  • be satisfied
  • obtain

(the last one was news for me)

My question is whether there is nuance in meaning among the three versions or are these completely interchangeable (within this specific meaning referring to conditions) and are meant to be frequently interchanged to avoid repetition.

I did check NGrams for relative frequencies of these, but it doesn't tell me anything about difference in meaning.

Improve this question
3
  • Well, no; you need a dictionary for differences in meaning.
    – Andrew Leach ♦
    Jun 5, 2013 at 9:10
  • 1
    Or for nuances like these, a lot of examples from accepted authorities (accepted wrt scientific and linguistic accuracy). I'd say, off the top of my head, that the three terms are often interchangeable (and 'apply' is another near-synonym) when talking about physical laws / rules. 'Be satisfied' can also be used when talking about requisite physical conditions etc (the required temperature / pressure ranges for a reaction to proceed, say), and the other three (though rarely 'hold') for talking about any existing physical conditions etc one encounters during observed events.
    – Edwin Ashworth
    Jun 5, 2013 at 9:33
  • The three formulations are interchangeable, but they are not 'meant to be frequently interchanged'. Even those who are quite familiar with how these terms are used in the relevant literature, are likely to be thrown off by an author's frequently switching from one to another within the same text.
    – jsw29
    Mar 13 at 15:30

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
10
  • If a condition holds, it still exists
  • If a condition is satisfied, then all necessary features or qualities are present
  • If a condition obtains, it "exists, is used, or is accepted"

Saying that a condition obtains is more formal and academic, and is marked as such in the dictionary reference cited.

Saying that a condition is satisfied may or may not imply that it wasn't previously.

Saying that a condition holds implies its continued persistence.

However, in the context of trying to say that the condition is true, and continues to be so, all of these terms are more or less interchangeable. I wouldn't vary them simply for the sake of avoiding repetition; I would revise my writing so it wasn't necessary to assert that the condition is true so often.

Improve this answer
5

For what it's worth, I would say that in my experience, the two most common usages are that the condition (a) "is satisfied" or (b) "is met," which are more or less interchangable. Less often, I've heard people say that the condition "holds." I've never heard anyone say that a condition "obtains," and I think that I would find that usage understandable but a bit confusing.

Improve this answer
1
  • 1
    I agree with this answer, and I'd add that "obtains" is better used in contexts like "this situation obtains" rather than "this condition obtains". Even with "situation", this use of "obtain" is infrequent enough that a referee once objected to my use of it in a paper (but I was allowed to retain it after citing the OED).
    – Andreas Blass
    Aug 3, 2017 at 3:07

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.