a good proxy

USAGE SUMMARY

"a good proxy" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You might use it to describe someone who is speaking or acting on behalf of another. For example, "The mayor appointed a good proxy to attend the city council meeting on his behalf."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Supplies made a good proxy.

The New York Times

But the DfE carefully noted that the statistics were "not a good proxy for recent immigration".

The Guardian

He found a good proxy by joining MediaBistro.com, a New York-based organization for media professionals.

The New York Times

The category is viewed as a good proxy for business investment.

The New York Times

"Demographics used to be a good proxy for attitudes," Donatiello says.

The New York Times - Magazine

This category is viewed as a good proxy for business investment plans.

The New York Times

Ten-Pint Hat Texas isn't a good proxy for the broader economy.

The New York Times

"We want a good proxy for the timber industry at large".

The New York Times

For accurate uncertainty quantification, a good proxy is needed.

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

It’s a good proxy for the whole drug industry.

Forbes

But it's a good proxy for corporate profits.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a good proxy", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being represented or substituted, and why the proxy is a suitable choice. Be specific about the relationship between the proxy and the actual variable or concept.

Common error

Avoid implying that "a good proxy" is a perfect substitute. Acknowledge its limitations and potential for error. For example, instead of saying "Income is a good proxy for wealth", consider "Income is a good proxy for wealth, although it doesn't account for assets or debt."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a good proxy" functions as a noun phrase that identifies something serving as a substitute or indicator for something else. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. Examples from the search data show its application in diverse contexts, from business to science.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

47%

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a good proxy" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that serves to indicate a substitute or indicator for something else. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its versatility is evident through its prevalence in diverse fields such as science, news, and business. Its primary function is to simplify complex assessments, though it's crucial to acknowledge its limitations and avoid overstating its accuracy. When writing, ensure that the context clearly defines what is being represented, and consider alternatives like "a reliable indicator" or "a suitable substitute" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a reliable indicator

Emphasizes the trustworthiness and dependability of the indicator.

a suitable substitute

Highlights the ability to replace something else effectively.

an effective stand-in

Focuses on the functional replacement aspect.

a fair representation

Stresses the accuracy and impartiality of the representation.

a reasonable estimation

Implies an approximate but acceptable calculation.

a valid measure

Highlights the legitimacy and correctness of the measurement.

a close parallel

Suggests a strong similarity or correspondence.

a decent approximation

Indicates an adequate, though not perfect, estimation.

an acceptable marker

Focuses on the role as a sign or indicator that is considered adequate.

an indirect assessment

Emphasizes that the evaluation is not direct but through a secondary measure.

FAQs

How can I use "a good proxy" in a sentence?

Use "a good proxy" to indicate that something is being used as a substitute or indicator for something else. For example, "Test scores are "a good proxy" for student learning".

What are some alternatives to saying "a good proxy"?

You can use alternatives like "a reliable indicator", "a suitable substitute", or "an effective stand-in" depending on the context.

Is it always accurate to use a proxy?

No, proxies are not always perfectly accurate. It's important to acknowledge their limitations and potential for error. Using "a valid measure" requires understanding its constraints.

What makes something "a good proxy"?

A good proxy should have a strong correlation with what it represents, be easily measurable or accessible, and provide valuable insights despite not being a direct measure of the target variable.