a good filter for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a good filter for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing something that effectively separates or distinguishes between different elements or qualities, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "This method serves as a good filter for identifying the most relevant data in our analysis."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

He is a good filter for David.

The New York Times

The results indicate that EMD is a good filter for noise removal from the time-series data.

Advances in Space Research

What I would say is – and this is how the team focused on it, so perhaps it's a good filter for us.

TechCrunch

Anyway, Reddit in 2012 really proved itself as a good filter for real-time news, especially when the news outlets, in a rush to be first, get things wrong.

TechCrunch

In addition, the target sites were characterized as evolutionarily conserved in five species (human, mouse, rat, dog and chicken), a criterion that also acted as a good filter for false positive assignments of miRNAs to genes [24], [25].

Plosone

While the acoustic cue might be a good filter for host selection, what about host infection and host suitability?

BMC Ecology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Thus, it can be stated that GAC alone is not a good filter material for the filtration of bacterial contaminated water.

Chemistry Central Journal

"We find it a very good filter for looking for talents that aren't necessarily indicated by grades and SAT scores, even though those numbers are very high".

The New York Times

The other problem is that crowdfunding doesn't provide a very good filter for "suck".

TechCrunch

Worio is less concerned with quantity than quality, as far as its index is concerned, and adding links recommended by friends is a really good filter for quality links.

TechCrunch

Usually, though, I feel I have a pretty good filter for knowing what I'll enjoy before I pick it up, and if I don't like something I stop reading it like I did with Jonathan Lethem's awful Fear of Music.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a good filter for", ensure the noun following 'for' clearly indicates what is being filtered, enhancing clarity and avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

While versatile, avoid using "a good filter for" excessively in informal settings. Simpler alternatives such as "works well for" or "is great for" often sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a good filter for" functions as a descriptive term, qualifying something as an effective means of selection, separation, or evaluation. As seen in Ludwig, it is used in various contexts, from technical applications to personal assessments.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a good filter for" is a versatile and grammatically correct expression used to describe something effective at separating or refining. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase appears in various contexts, including scientific research, news reports, and general advice. While generally acceptable across different registers, remember to consider simpler alternatives in informal settings. When using "a good filter for", clarity is key; ensure the following noun specifies exactly what is being filtered.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an effective mechanism for

Emphasizes the functional aspect of a filter as a working system or process.

a useful criterion for

Focuses on the filter as a standard or benchmark against which things are evaluated.

a valuable tool for

Highlights the practicality and helpfulness of the filter in achieving a specific goal.

a reliable method for

Stresses the dependability and consistency of the filter in producing accurate results.

an efficient means of

Focuses on the filter's ability to achieve results with minimal waste or effort.

a suitable instrument for

Suggests the filter is well-adapted or designed for a particular purpose.

a helpful framework for

Implies the filter provides a structure or system for organizing and understanding information.

a strategic approach to

Positions the filter as a deliberate and planned method for addressing a challenge.

a discriminating factor in

Highlights the filter's ability to differentiate between options based on specific qualities.

a selective process for

Emphasizes the filter's role in choosing or favoring certain elements over others.

FAQs

What does "a good filter for" mean?

The phrase "a good filter for" implies that something effectively separates or distinguishes between desirable and undesirable elements, qualities, or options. It is often used metaphorically to describe a useful method or criterion.

How can I use "a good filter for" in a sentence?

You can use "a good filter for" by stating the element that serves as a filter and then specifying what it is filtering. For example, "This method serves as "a good filter for" identifying relevant data".

What can I say instead of "a good filter for"?

You can use alternatives like "an effective mechanism for", "a useful criterion for", or "a valuable tool for depending on the context".

Is it better to say "good at filtering" or "a good filter for"?

Both are correct, but they have slightly different nuances. "Good at filtering" emphasizes the action of filtering, while ""a good filter for"" emphasizes the thing that performs the filtering. The best choice depends on the specific context.