a proxy for good

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a proxy for good" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that serves as a substitute or representative for positive qualities or actions. Example: "In many discussions about corporate responsibility, profit is often seen as a proxy for good, suggesting that financial success equates to social value."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"The I.I. ranking has been used as a proxy for good stock picking and that is a leap that is simply inaccurate," Mr. Spitzer said in an interview yesterday afternoon.

The New York Times

What remains unknown is why.In this section The computer will see you now You never listen to a word I say The oldest animals Facing the facts The march of the kilobots Shaken and stirred ReprintsThe usual assumption is that bodily symmetry is a proxy for good health.

The Economist

This compares with a 45% rise in the broader STOXX Europe 600 index, from which its components were selected.Green because good, not vice versaHowever, it could just as well be that green firms are more profitable not because they are green, but because they happen to be better run; and that their shares perform better because investors see greenness simply as a proxy for good management.

The Economist

One, conditions were viewed positively and seen as reasonable, a proxy for good parenting and guardianship.

Health Policy and Planning

We use SlimCodeML as a proxy for good accuracy, as it gives very similar results as CodeML (Schabauer et al., 2012), which is the established gold standard.

Bioinformatics

The study found a significant and widespread acceptance of conditions primarily because they were seen as fair and a proxy for good parenting or guardianship.

Health Policy and Planning

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

M.G.: Jamaica reminds us, I think, that we have to stop using income as a proxy for all good things.

The New Yorker

MCS notwithstanding, smoking habits among the elderly may be considered a proxy for relatively good self-rated physical health status and autonomy [ 35].

BMC Public Health

Good practices may not be a reliable proxy for good safety.

Huffington Post

The thesis behind ECLI, Monroe says, is that climate efficiency is a proxy for overall corporate efficiency and good management.

The Guardian

So it's more of a proxy for sign-ups than a good barometer of daily engagement.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a proxy for good", ensure the connection between the proxy and the positive outcome is clearly established and logical. Avoid using it when the link is tenuous or speculative.

Common error

Avoid treating "a proxy for good" as a definitive measure. It's an indicator, not a guarantee, so qualify your language to reflect this uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a proxy for good" functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies something that serves as a substitute or indicator for positive attributes, actions, or outcomes. Ludwig AI confirms its validity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a proxy for good" describes something used as a substitute or indicator of a positive attribute or outcome. Ludwig AI confirms the expression as grammatically correct. It's most commonly found in scientific, news, and business contexts. While its usage is not extremely frequent, understanding its meaning is crucial for interpreting analytical discussions where indirect measures are used to assess less tangible qualities. Alternatives like "a substitute for positive outcomes" or "an indicator of beneficial results" may offer similar meanings. When employing this phrase, ensure the link between the proxy and the desired attribute is well-defined.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a substitute for positive outcomes

Replaces "proxy" with "substitute", and "good" with "positive outcomes", emphasizing results.

an indicator of beneficial results

Replaces "proxy" with "indicator", shifting the focus to showing a positive consequence.

a measure of success

More concise, focusing on "success" as the "good" being represented.

a sign of ethical practices

Specifies that the "good" is related to ethics or moral behavior.

a marker of positive qualities

Highlights that "good" refers to specific desirable traits.

a symbol of righteousness

Emphasizes morality and justice as the "good" being represented.

a reflection of virtuous behavior

Focuses on actions and their positive moral implications.

an index of moral strength

Replaces "proxy" with "index", and focuses on "moral strength" as the positive attribute.

a representation of integrity

Focuses on the quality of integrity being represented.

an embodiment of kindness

Highlights kindness as the specific positive attribute.

FAQs

How can "a proxy for good" be used in a sentence?

You can use "a proxy for good" to suggest that something is used as a substitute to measure a particular good or positive outcome. For example, "Symmetry in faces is often seen as "a proxy for good" health".

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

Some alternatives to "a proxy for good" include "a substitute for positive outcomes", "an indicator of beneficial results", or "a measure of success" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "a proxy for good" in formal writing?

Yes, "a proxy for good" is acceptable in formal writing, especially when discussing indicators or substitutes for positive outcomes or ethical behavior. It's important to ensure the context makes the meaning clear.

What's the difference between "a proxy for good" and "a power for good"?

"A proxy for good" implies something is used as a substitute or indicator of good. In contrast, "a power for good" suggests something has the ability to create positive change or have a positive influence.