a criterion of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a criterion of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a quality or measure that is used to make a judgment or assessment. For example: The design team used cost and sustainability as criteria of success for the project.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

–Should the environmental impact of a product be a criterion of quality?

The New York Times

He spoke with scorn of "originality" as a criterion of artistic value.

The New Yorker

It often seems that a deficiency of humor is a criterion of casting a candidate.

The New York Times

"In that case, democracy won't be a criterion of progress, so the notion of democracy has to be rethought.

The Guardian

As it turns out, the valuing of "individual gesture" imposes a criterion of its own: moody bemusement, more or less.

The New Yorker

This coating, known as givre, may be used as a criterion of quality.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is a criterion of quality care.

Annals of Intensive Care

Conformity to this principle is a criterion of rationality.

SEP

However, Sextus describes Carneades' criterion as a criterion of truth, not a criterion of action (M 7.173).

SEP

A criterion of goodness is proved for such measures.

Journal of Functional Analysis

Answering this question calls for a criterion of diachronic numerical identity, a criterion of what makes something one and the same thing as itself at different times.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a criterion of", ensure that the criterion is clearly defined and relevant to the context. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the validity of your assessment.

Common error

Avoid using "a criterion of" when referring to multiple criteria. In such cases, the correct phrase is "criteria for" or "criteria of."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a criterion of" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically used to specify a standard, rule, or test upon which a judgment or decision is based. Examples from Ludwig showcase its role in various fields from science to news, aligning with its function to denote a guiding principle.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

56%

News & Media

27%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a criterion of" is a frequently used prepositional phrase that serves to indicate a standard or basis for judgment. As highlighted by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and versatile, finding applications across diverse fields such as science, news, and encyclopedic references. Its formal tone makes it suitable for academic and professional writing, but it can also be used in more neutral contexts. Remember to use "criterion" for singular standards and "criteria" for plural. By keeping these points in mind, you can confidently and accurately incorporate "a criterion of" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a measure of

Replaces 'criterion' with 'measure', focusing on the quantitative aspect of assessment.

a standard for

Substitutes 'criterion' with 'standard', highlighting an established rule or principle.

a basis for

Uses 'basis' instead of 'criterion', emphasizing the foundation upon which a judgment is made.

a benchmark for

Replaces 'criterion' with 'benchmark', suggesting a reference point for evaluation.

a gauge of

Employs 'gauge' instead of 'criterion', implying a tool or method for measuring something.

a yardstick for

Similar to 'measure', but offers a more visual metaphor for assessing something.

a touchstone of

Substitutes 'criterion' with 'touchstone', suggesting a test of genuineness or quality.

a test of

Replaces 'criterion' with 'test', focusing on the act of evaluating or proving something.

an indicator of

Uses 'indicator' instead of 'criterion', highlighting something that points to a particular condition or state.

a marker of

Substitutes 'criterion' with 'marker', indicating a distinguishing feature or characteristic.

FAQs

How can I use "a criterion of" in a sentence?

You can use "a criterion of" to indicate a standard or principle used for judging something. For example: "Environmental impact should be "a criterion of" product quality."

What are some alternatives to "a criterion of"?

Some alternatives include "a measure of", "a standard for", or "a basis for", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "a criteria of" instead of "a criterion of"?

No, "criteria" is the plural form of "criterion". The correct usage is ""a criterion of"" for a single standard and "criteria for" or "criteria of" for multiple standards.

What is the difference between ""a criterion of"" and "a standard of"?

While similar, ""a criterion of"" often implies a specific requirement or test, whereas "a standard of" suggests a level of quality or achievement that is expected.