as a criterion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a criterion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a standard or principle by which something is judged or decided. Example: "We will evaluate the proposals as a criterion for selecting the best candidate for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We should look at education quality as a criterion, too".

The New York Times

Thus, suppose that something is offered as a criterion.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It did not use foundations as a criterion for inclusion.

The New York Times

League officials use it as a criterion to evaluate coaches at the end of each season.

The New York Times

He spoke with scorn of "originality" as a criterion of artistic value.

The New Yorker

Relatability has become widely and unthinkingly accepted as a criterion of value.

The New Yorker

But Congress was wrong to set the bilateral balance as a criterion in the first place.

The Guardian - Business

Savageau, M. A. Parameter sensitivity as a criterion for evaluating and comparing performance of biochemical systems.

Nature

He promised that individual political beliefs would not be used as a criterion.

The New York Times

Also, using this as a criterion has the potential to inflate the prevalence of addiction.

The Guardian - Games

Turing never set a 30% mark as a criterion for "passing" his test.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as a criterion", ensure the criterion is clearly defined and relevant to the context. For example, "Academic performance was used "as a criterion" in the selection process".

Common error

Ensure that the criterion is specific and measurable. Saying something is used "as a criterion" without specifying what aspect of it is being considered leads to ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a criterion" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a verb or noun by specifying a standard or basis for judgment. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as a criterion" is a grammatically correct and frequently used prepositional phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to introduce a standard or principle used for judgment or assessment. While appropriate in various contexts, including news, academia, and science, it maintains a generally neutral to formal tone. For clearer communication in informal settings, consider using alternatives like "as a guideline" or "as a standard". When employing "as a criterion", ensure the criterion is well-defined and relevant to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a standard

Replaces "criterion" with "standard", indicating a commonly accepted measure.

as a benchmark

Substitutes "criterion" with "benchmark", suggesting a reference point for comparison.

as a gauge

Replaces "criterion" with "gauge", implying a tool for assessment.

as a measure

Substitutes "criterion" with "measure", indicating a means of evaluation.

for the purpose of evaluation

Rephrases to highlight the intent of evaluation using something.

in terms of assessment

Emphasizes the aspect of assessment when judging something.

by way of qualification

Highlights the qualifying aspect of the criterion.

in the context of judging

Focuses on the context of judgment using a particular standard.

serving as a principle

Highlights the foundational nature of the criterion.

being a guideline

Replaces "criterion" with "guideline", implying a less strict standard.

FAQs

How can I use "as a criterion" in a sentence?

Use "as a criterion" to indicate a standard or principle used for judging or evaluating something. For example, "Reliability was used as a criterion when choosing a data provider".

What's a good alternative to "as a criterion"?

Alternatives include "as a standard", "as a benchmark", or "as a measure". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is it better to say "criterion" or "criteria" in this context?

"Criterion" is singular, while "criteria" is plural. Use "as a criterion" when referring to a single standard. For multiple standards, use "as criteria". For example, "We considered several criteria such as cost, scalability, and support".

Can I use "as a criterion" in both formal and informal writing?

While generally suitable for formal writing, using simpler alternatives like "as a guideline" or "as a measure" might be preferable in informal contexts for improved clarity.