a gauge of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a gauge of" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that serves as a measure or indication of something else. Example 1: The amount of rainfall is often used as a gauge of how severe a storm is. Example 2: The company's profits are a gauge of its success in the market. Example 3: The speedometer is a gauge of how fast the car is traveling.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A gauge of consumer sentiment also rose.

The New York Times

Supporters say this is a gauge of his courage.

The Guardian

A gauge of production rose to 51 from 49.1.

The New York Times

Society unfortunately still uses spelling as a gauge of intelligence.

The Guardian

Markets simply act as a gauge of people's expectations.

The New York Times

"New younger Indians see wealth as a gauge of status.

The Guardian

A gauge of business investment plans dropped in December.

The New York Times

Compare his drawing with the crude animated version and you have a gauge of genius.

The Guardian - Books

A gauge of utilities jumped 1.6percentt as Treasury yields declined.

The New York Times

But he doesn't have a gauge of how well he's doing.

The New York Times - Sports

Santorum was also — perhaps most — important as a gauge of Romney's weakness.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a gauge of", ensure that the noun following "of" is specific and clearly defines what is being measured or indicated. For example, "a gauge of success" is less informative than "a gauge of customer satisfaction".

Common error

Avoid using "a gauge of" with overly broad or abstract concepts that are difficult to quantify or assess. For instance, saying something is "a gauge of life" is vague and lacks practical meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a gauge of" functions as a prepositional phrase used to modify a noun, indicating that something serves as a means of measurement or assessment. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in various contexts, such as "a gauge of consumer sentiment" or "a gauge of future growth".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

19%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a gauge of" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something that serves as a measure or indication of something else. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is widely used across various contexts, from news and media to science and business. To ensure clarity, it's best to use this phrase with specific nouns that clearly define what is being measured. While versatile, avoid using it with overly broad concepts. Alternatives like "an indicator of" or "a measure of" can be used depending on the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

An indicator of

This alternative replaces "gauge" with "indicator", focusing on the signal or sign aspect.

A measure of

This option uses "measure" instead of "gauge", emphasizing the quantification or assessment of something.

An assessment of

This phrase highlights the evaluation or judgment aspect, changing the noun.

A barometer of

Using "barometer" suggests a sensitivity to change and indication of prevailing conditions.

An estimate of

Focuses on approximation, less precise than "gauge".

A reflection of

This phrase suggests that something mirrors or represents something else.

An index of

Emphasizes a systematic listing or measurement.

A yardstick for

Implies using a standard for comparison.

A criterion for

Highlights a standard by which something is judged or decided.

A benchmark for

Suggests using a point of reference against which something can be measured.

FAQs

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

Use "a gauge of" to indicate that something serves as a measure or indicator of another thing. For example, "The unemployment rate is a gauge of the economy's health".

What are some alternatives to saying "a gauge of"?

You can use alternatives like "an indicator of", "a measure of", or "an assessment of" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "a gauge of" or "an indicator of"?

Both phrases are correct, but "a gauge of" implies a more precise or quantifiable measurement, while "an indicator of" suggests a sign or signal.

What's the difference between "a gauge of" and "a measure of"?

"A gauge of" often implies a device or system for measuring something, whereas "a measure of" is a more general term for assessing quantity, size, or degree.