Which of the following is an indicator of a sufficient condition?

The concept of sufficient conditions is crucial in logical reasoning. A sufficient condition is one that, if satisfied, guarantees that a particular outcome occurs. The word that typically indicates a sufficient condition is "if." When you see "if" in a conditional statement, it establishes a scenario where the condition leads to the conclusion.

For example, in a statement like "If it rains, then the ground will be wet," the phrase "if it rains" indicates the sufficient condition. It suggests that rain alone is enough to ensure that the ground will be wet.

In contrast, "then" generally introduces the necessary condition that follows from the sufficient condition. While "must" can imply a strong necessity, it does not clearly indicate the sufficiency in logical terms. "Unless" introduces a condition that works in a different way, typically negating the antecedent or introducing an exception to a broader rule.

Thus, recognizing "if" as the indicator of a sufficient condition is fundamental in analyzing and constructing logical arguments.