Criteria

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Criteria" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the standards or principles by which something is judged or decided. Example: "The criteria for selecting the best candidate include experience, education, and interpersonal skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Results have been weighted to nationally representative criteria.

The Guardian

"There are legal criteria for ordering preventative detention, such as preserving the public order or guaranteeing the continuity of an investigation.

The Guardian - Sport

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

However, she adds that Ofsted now needs to clarify what it does expect schools to do to meet its inspection criteria.

The Guardian

If the purpose of the judgment is not to enable censorship of publishers by the back door, then we'd encourage Google to be transparent about the criteria it is using to make these decisions, and how publishers can challenge them".

The Guardian - Tech

Their recommendation that this new legal framework must be based on an explicit avowal of intrusive surveillance capabilities and spell out authorisation procedures, privacy constraints, transparence requirements, targeting criteria and the rest is also significant.

The Guardian

The trio scored well against ten criteria, including bringing in licensing schemes, fining lettings agents that break the law, prosecuting criminal landlords and running phone lines to give renters advice.

The Guardian

He said the three criteria used to determine whether two countries should be kept apart were whether they had normal diplomatic relations, whether there was an ongoing military or armed conflict and whether there had been a request made by either national association to be kept apart.

The Guardian - Sport

What a pity modern political parties do not apply the same criteria.

The Guardian

Tokyo scores a buzz of just 2, again due partly to Japan using its own social media engines – yet Seoul does remarkably well on the same criteria.

The Guardian

The government might also address the fact that taxpayer-controlled RBS still invests heavily in oil and gas by, for example, introducing low carbon investment criteria.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "Criteria", be specific about what is being evaluated and what the ideal outcome looks like. This clarity helps ensure that expectations are well-defined and understood.

Common error

Remember that "Criteria" is plural. The singular form is "Criterion". Avoid using "Criteria" when you're referring to a single standard.

Linguistic Context

The word "Criteria" functions primarily as a noun, denoting the standards, rules, or tests by which something is judged. Ludwig AI confirms that this term is often used in the context of evaluation and assessment, as exemplified in numerous sentences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Criteria" is a plural noun that refers to the standards or principles used to evaluate something. As Ludwig AI shows, it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, including news, business, and scientific writing. When using this term, it's crucial to remember its plural form and to be clear about the specific standards being referenced. The alternatives such as "standards", "benchmarks", and "requirements" can be used to express similar ideas. Pay attention to the context to determine the most appropriate substitute. Avoiding the common mistake of using "Criteria" as a singular noun is essential for maintaining grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Standards

Refers to established rules or measures of quality.

Benchmarks

A standard or point of reference against which things may be compared or assessed.

Requirements

Things needed or wanted.

Guidelines

A set of instructions or advice on how to do something.

Yardsticks

A standard used for comparison.

Measures

A standard or unit used for measuring.

Specifications

A detailed description of the design and materials used to make something.

Conditions

The state of something with regard to its appearance, quality, or working order.

Provisions

A condition or requirement in a legal document.

Parameters

A numerical or other measurable factor forming one of a set that defines a system or sets the conditions of its operation.

FAQs

How do you use "Criteria" in a sentence?

Use "Criteria" to refer to the standards or principles used to evaluate something. For example, "The "criteria" for judging the competition were clearly outlined".

What's the difference between "Criterion" and "Criteria"?

"Criterion" is the singular form, referring to one standard, while "Criteria" is the plural form, referring to multiple standards. For example, "The main "criterion" was originality; other "criteria" included presentation and clarity".

What can I say instead of "Criteria"?

You can use alternatives like "standards", "benchmarks", or "requirements" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the criteria is"?

No, it's incorrect. Since "Criteria" is plural, the correct phrase is "the "criteria are"". Use "the criterion is" when referring to a single standard.