a barometer of whether

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a barometer of whether" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a measure or indicator of a certain condition or outcome. Example: "The increase in sales is a barometer of whether our marketing strategy is effective."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

It's not going to be a barometer of whether teams win or lose on the field.

The New York Times - Sports

Musa Qala became a barometer of whether the process of "Afghanisation" was working; the allegiance of its elders fluctuating between the Taliban and Kabul.

Independent

The company's new sports channel is part of the iCity development, which will be a barometer of whether the park succeeds in becoming an engine of economic growth for the area.

The Guardian

In one of his less helpful contributions to social harmony, the old polecat suggested in 1990 that the side that ethnic minorities cheer for – England or their country of origin – should be a barometer of whether they are truly British.

The Guardian - Opinion

The status of Christians "is a barometer of whether those of other faiths or no faith at all will be able to live and thrive in the future Middle East".

The New Yorker

TEL AVIV — For many Israelis, the size of Saturday night's protests against the high cost of living and for social justice will serve as a barometer of whether the popular movement that began in this Mediterranean city and swept the country this summer is thriving or fading.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

In college admissions, students have always used the SAT as a barometer of where to apply -- whether that is right is another question.

Huffington Post

Singing was a barometer of her moods.

The Guardian - Music

"It's a barometer of what's cool".

The New York Times

Owning a property remains a barometer of success.

The Guardian - Arts

The shot is a barometer of his game.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a barometer of whether", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being measured or indicated. For example, "Consumer confidence is a barometer of whether the economy will improve."

Common error

Avoid assuming that because something acts as "a barometer of whether" an event will occur, it directly causes that event. It's merely an indicator, not necessarily the cause. Be careful to not overstate it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a barometer of whether" functions as a noun phrase acting as a predicative nominative or appositive. It identifies something as a reliable indicator, as supported by Ludwig AI, which confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a barometer of whether" serves as a reliable indicator of a specific condition or outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Found primarily in News & Media and Science contexts, it’s used to establish predictive relationships. While grammatically sound and consistently used across authoritative sources, avoid mistaking correlation for causation. Instead of "a barometer of whether", consider alternatives like "an indicator of whether" or "a measure of whether" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an indicator of whether

Replaces "barometer" with a more general term for indication.

a measure of whether

Substitutes "barometer" with "measure", suggesting a more quantitative assessment.

a gauge of whether

Replaces "barometer" with "gauge", implying a direct reading or assessment.

a sign of whether

Uses "sign" instead of "barometer", indicating an observable indication.

a test of whether

Suggests a more deliberate and controlled assessment.

a reflection of whether

Implies that something mirrors or shows the state of affairs.

an index of whether

Replaces "barometer" with "index", suggesting a systematic list or guide.

a predictor of whether

Highlights the predictive capability of the indicator.

a determinant of whether

Indicates that something directly influences the outcome.

a bellwether of whether

Uses "bellwether", indicating a leading indicator of future trends.

FAQs

How can I use "a barometer of whether" in a sentence?

Use "a barometer of whether" to indicate that something serves as a reliable indicator of a particular outcome. For example, "The company's stock price is a barometer of whether investors are confident in its future."

What's an alternative to "a barometer of whether" that conveys a similar meaning?

You could use phrases like "an indicator of whether", "a measure of whether", or "a gauge of whether" to express that something provides insight into a particular situation.

Is it correct to say "an barometer of whether" instead of "a barometer of whether"?

No, it is not correct. The article "a" should be used before "barometer" because "barometer" begins with a consonant sound. Using "an" would be grammatically incorrect.

What is the nuance between "a barometer of whether" and "a cause of whether"?

"A barometer of whether" indicates a correlation or predictive relationship, suggesting that one thing provides insight into another. In contrast, "a cause of whether" would incorrectly imply that something directly causes a binary situation, which isn't grammatically idiomatic. Stick to "a cause of".