a valid proxy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a valid proxy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are discussing a substitute or representative that is acceptable or legitimate, often in technical or legal discussions. Example: "In this experiment, we used a valid proxy to represent the larger population in our analysis."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Self-report of missteps in older adults: a valid proxy of fall risk?

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

By comparing P fractions of soil and recent lake sediment samples, these fractions are shown to be a valid proxy for landscape-scale nutrient status.

Quaternary Research

We argue that the time spent playing golf is a valid proxy for personal leisure (and inversely effort) because of the time commitment required to play golf and because of the popularity of the sport with executives.

Harvard Business Review

In the absence of a valid proxy, our knowledge of possible fluctuations in the Earth's O2 reserves is based on inferences made from isotope ratio measurements conducted on the element carbon contained in ancient limestones (calcium carbonate) and on the element sulfur contained in ancient evaporites (calcium sulfate).

Columbia University

So we should accept these self-reports as a valid proxy for what we care about.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

Sekara and Lehmann [29] studied how to deploy the electronic datasets as a valid proxy for real life social interactions, and found that the strength of electronic signals can be used to distinguish between strong and weak friendship ties.

EPJ Data Science

However, developing a complete indicator of competition intensity on a RoRo route is beyond the scope of this paper; including the number of service providers is in our view a valid proxy.

Journal of Shipping and Trade

We found that distance to nearest settlement is a valid proxy variable for prediction of biomass loss from fuelwood collection (p < 0.001) and total subsistence wood extraction (p < 0.01).

Carbon Balance and Management

This test is based on the (common) assumption that sexual dichromatism is a valid proxy for the intensity of sexual selection [e.g.41], [42].

Plosone

Under such circumstances, physical parasite sex ratios assessed only from hosts (as is the case in most parasitological studies) are likely to not represent a valid proxy for operational sex ratios [38] [40].

Plosone

If analysis of EBC formate concentration is indeed a valid proxy for GSNOR activity, EBC formate might be used as a non-invasive measure to identify asthmatic patients at risk for GSNO depletion to receive therapies designed to enhance or replace endogenous GSNO levels.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a valid proxy", ensure that the relationship between the proxy and what it represents is clearly established and justified. This strengthens the argument that the proxy is indeed valid.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "a valid proxy" is a perfect substitute. Acknowledge any limitations or potential biases inherent in using a proxy, even if it's considered valid.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a valid proxy" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies something as a legitimate and acceptable substitute or representation for something else. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

79%

Formal & Business

10%

News & Media

6%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a valid proxy" is a grammatically correct and very common noun phrase, most often employed in scientific and formal contexts. It serves to assert that something can be reliably used as a stand-in for something else, simplifying analyses or replacing direct measurements. As Ludwig AI indicates, this expression is fit for technical or legal discussions, making it essential to justify the proxy's validity when using it. Always clarify why a particular proxy is considered "a valid proxy" to strengthen arguments and maintain clarity in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a legitimate substitute

Emphasizes the lawfulness or permissibility of the substitute.

an acceptable stand-in

Focuses on the adequacy and suitability of the replacement.

a reasonable representation

Highlights the accuracy and fairness of the depiction.

a reliable indicator

Stresses the trustworthiness and dependability of the sign.

a sound surrogate

Implies a robust and well-founded replacement.

an effective equivalent

Focuses on the comparable function or value of the replacement.

a fitting analogy

Highlights the similarity and aptness of the comparison.

a representative measure

Emphasizes that it fairly depicts a larger population or scope.

a dependable substitute

Stresses the trustworthiness and dependability of the sign.

a good estimator

Highlights that it provides a reasonable assessment.

FAQs

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

Use "a valid proxy" to indicate that one thing can be used to represent another accurately. For example, "In this study, test scores served as "a valid proxy" for student learning outcomes".

What are some alternatives to "a valid proxy"?

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

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a valid proxy"?

It is appropriate when you need to emphasize that something is not only a representation but also a reliable and acceptable one. It is especially useful in academic and scientific contexts where accuracy is crucial.

What makes something "a valid proxy" and not just any proxy?

Validity implies that the proxy has been shown to accurately represent the thing it stands in for. This often involves demonstrating a strong correlation or a causal relationship.