an appropriate standard

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an appropriate standard" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a level of quality or criteria that is suitable for a particular purpose or context. Example: "The committee established an appropriate standard for evaluating the performance of the candidates."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Ms. Whitman requested the arsenic review to help her determine an appropriate standard.

The New York Times

A case is moot, Justice Ginsburg said, setting an appropriate standard, only if it is "absolutely clear" that the violations will not recur.

The New York Times

But the important question is whether existing antitrust legislation, conceived 100 years ago, is an appropriate standard for evaluating anticompetitive behavior today.

The New York Times

It was an example of how the failure to use public funds effectively to deliver an appropriate standard of care to all citizens fell short of the basic requirements of a fair society.

The Guardian

Failing on both counts, the inventors took their case to the Supreme Court, which has been pondering for the past few months whether the "machine-or-transformation" test is an appropriate standard.

The Economist

"It would continue to hold them to a high standard but would make it an appropriate standard for those who support a majority population who are off track or who have dropped out all together," Ms. Allen said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Mission planning and implementation efforts need a scientifically appropriate standard, developed as a consensus within the Panel, on which to base their efforts.

Advances in Space Research

Similarly, someone is tall, just in case she is taller than a contextually appropriate standard, or taller than sufficiently many (this many be vague) in some contextually appropriate comparison class.

SEP

Exploring what people are able to do and be provides a more appropriate standard by which to evaluate whether their condition has improved rather than focusing exclusively on their incomes or per capita GDP.

SEP

A more appropriate standard would measure the share of insurers' total revenues devoted to care, as some analysts have urged.

Huffington Post

This seems logical - guidelines were created to improve and standardise practice [ 47], so could be considered a highly appropriate standard for evaluating practice.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In scientific writing, using "an appropriate standard" often implies a reference to a validated method or reference material. Always specify the standard used for reproducibility.

Common error

Avoid using "an appropriate standard" without defining the specific criteria or benchmarks. Vagueness can undermine the credibility of your argument or assessment. Be specific about what makes a standard appropriate for the given context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an appropriate standard" functions as a noun phrase that specifies a criterion or level of quality that is considered suitable or acceptable within a given context. This is supported by examples from Ludwig AI, where the phrase is used in discussions of environmental regulations, medical care, and legal evaluations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an appropriate standard" is a versatile phrase used across various domains, particularly in science, news, and formal business settings. As Ludwig AI confirms, it denotes a suitable level of quality or a set of criteria tailored to a specific context. While grammatically correct and frequently used, it's important to define the specific criteria to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "a suitable criterion" or "a fitting benchmark" can provide more specific connotations. Ensuring clarity when using "an appropriate standard" enhances the precision and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a suitable criterion

Emphasizes the aspect of a test or measure that is fitting for a specific purpose; more focused on evaluation.

a fitting benchmark

Highlights the role of comparison against an ideal or accepted level; focuses on measuring performance.

a proper guideline

Stresses the aspect of direction and instruction that is correct for a particular action or process.

a relevant measure

Focuses on the pertinence and applicability of a specific tool for assessment.

an acceptable norm

Highlights what is considered satisfactory or usual within a particular group or situation.

an adequate gauge

Emphasizes whether something provides sufficient information for evaluation.

a valid metric

Stresses the accuracy and reliability of a quantitative assessment.

a correct yardstick

Highlights the accuracy of an evaluation method compared to a recognized measure.

a sound principle

Focuses on the quality and reliability of the underlying rule or belief.

a justifiable requirement

Highlights the legitimacy of what is needed or demanded in a particular situation.

FAQs

How can I use "an appropriate standard" in a sentence?

Use "an appropriate standard" to refer to a level of quality or a set of criteria that is suitable for a specific purpose or context. For example, "The regulatory body established "an appropriate standard" for emissions to protect public health".

What's a good alternative to "an appropriate standard"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a suitable criterion", "a fitting benchmark", or "a proper guideline".

When is it necessary to define "an appropriate standard"?

It's crucial to define "an appropriate standard" whenever the criteria are not universally understood or when the specific context requires a nuanced understanding of what "appropriate" means. This ensures clarity and avoids misinterpretation.

What is the difference between "an appropriate standard" and "the highest standard"?

"An appropriate standard" refers to a level that is suitable or adequate for a particular situation, while "the highest standard" implies the best possible level of performance or quality. The former is context-dependent, while the latter is aspirational.