a standards of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a standards of" is not correct in English.
It should be "a standard of" or "standards of" depending on the context. You can use "a standard of" when referring to a single criterion or measure of quality, while "standards of" is used when discussing multiple criteria. Example: "The company has established a standard of excellence in customer service."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Buck still needs to record two 'A' standards of 45.30 seconds in the semi-final and final to have a realistic chance of being selected for the Olympics, with Nigel Levine in a strong position to claim the final place available alongside Martyn Rooney and Conrad Williams.

BBC

A spokesman for the Coalition for Educational Success, a trade group representing dozens of for-profit colleges, pointed to a "standards of responsible conduct" document that the group released earlier this year.

Huffington Post

The impact of musculoskeletal conditions has been recognized and a task force of the Bone and Joint Decade (2000 2010) has among other things provided a standards of care document for acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain [ 3].

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Ms. McEnry proposes a standard of reasonable necessity.

The New York Times

In this case, the standard is a standard of liberty.

The New Yorker

"It is not a standard of living or a lifestyle.

The New York Times

Now that is a standard of living improvement.

The Guardian - Business

The success story is a standard of the genre.

The New Yorker

American instrument makers are committed to a standard of 440.

The New Yorker

Maps are a standard of adventure, fantasy, and science fiction.

The New Yorker

Coach Andy Reid has established a standard of excellence.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always ensure subject-verb agreement. If referring to a general concept or uncountable noun, use "a standard of". If referring to multiple criteria, use "standards of".

Common error

Avoid using "a" before plural nouns. "A" indicates a singular item. Using "a standards of" incorrectly combines a singular article with a plural noun.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a standards of" is generally intended to function as a noun phrase, specifying a benchmark, level, or requirement. However, it is grammatically incorrect due to the mismatch between the singular article and the plural noun. Ludwig flags this as an error.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a standards of" is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig identifies the error, suggesting the correct forms are either "a standard of" (singular) or "standards of" (plural). The intended meaning involves referencing a benchmark, level, or requirement. When corrected, the phrase finds use across neutral registers, including news, media, and scientific contexts. Remember to ensure subject-verb agreement and select the correct form based on whether you're referring to a single criterion or multiple criteria.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a standard of

Corrects the grammatical error by using the singular form "standard" with the indefinite article "a".

standards of

Corrects the grammatical error by omitting the indefinite article "a", using the plural form "standards".

a level of

Offers a similar meaning by referring to a particular level or degree of something.

a measure of

Replaces "standard" with "measure", indicating a way of evaluating or assessing something.

criteria for

Substitutes the phrase with "criteria", focusing on the set of rules or principles used for judgment.

principles of

Uses "principles" instead of "standards", highlighting the fundamental rules or beliefs.

guidelines for

Replaces "standards" with "guidelines", suggesting a set of recommendations rather than strict rules.

benchmarks for

Substitutes "standards" with "benchmarks", implying a point of reference against which something can be measured.

requirements for

Replaces "standards" with "requirements", focusing on the necessary conditions or demands.

specifications for

Replaces "standards" with "specifications", highlighting detailed descriptions of design or materials.

FAQs

What's the correct way to say "a standards of"?

The phrase "a standards of" is grammatically incorrect. The correct alternatives are "a standard of" (singular) or "standards of" (plural), depending on the context.

When should I use "a standard of" vs. "standards of"?

Use "a standard of" when referring to a single criterion or level. Use "standards of" when referring to multiple criteria or a general set of requirements.

What are some synonyms for "a standard of"?

Alternatives include "a level of", "a measure of", or "criteria for", depending on the intended meaning.

Is "a standards of" ever correct in English?

No, "a standards of" is not grammatically correct in standard English. The article "a" is used with singular nouns, while "standards" is plural. The correct forms are "a standard of" or "standards of".