be the test of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be the test of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something will serve as a measure or standard for evaluating something else. Example: "The results of this experiment will be the test of our hypothesis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

2017 will be the test of that.

The Guardian

That may be the test of the apology.

The Guardian

The next several months will be the test of that.

The Economist

That is going to be the test of the market this year.

The New York Times

That will be the test of the coming long hot summers in both Britain and California.

The New York Times

"The march on Saturday will be the test of whether this goes to the next chapter or not".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Divestment is the test of our time.

The Guardian - Opinion

That's the test of political bona fides.

The Guardian

"This is the test of our European ideal.

The Guardian

That's the test of a true leader.

The New York Times

That has been the test of congressional power.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be the test of", ensure the subject of the sentence clearly indicates what is being evaluated. For example, "The market reaction will be the test of the product's viability".

Common error

Avoid using "be the test of" without a clearly defined subject. For example, instead of saying "This will be the test", specify what aspect or quality is being tested. A better sentence might be, "This project's success will be the test of the team's collaborative ability".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be the test of" functions as a predicate nominative, linking the subject to a noun phrase that renames or describes it. It indicates that the subject will serve as a means of evaluation or validation, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be the test of" is a versatile expression used to indicate that something will serve as a measure or criterion for evaluating something else. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears across various contexts, including news, scientific literature, and academic writing. To ensure clarity, it is important to specify precisely what is being evaluated when using this phrase. Alternatives such as "serve as the measure of" or "act as the yardstick for" can provide similar meanings with slightly different emphasis. Overall, "be the test of" is a valuable tool for expressing evaluation and validation in both formal and informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

serve as the measure of

Replaces "test" with "measure", emphasizing the evaluation aspect.

act as the yardstick for

Substitutes "test" with "yardstick", highlighting the use of a standard for comparison.

be the benchmark for

Replaces "test" with "benchmark", stressing the role as a standard for evaluation.

prove the validity of

Focuses on proving something is correct or sound.

determine the efficacy of

Highlights determining how well something works.

assess the value of

Emphasizes evaluating the worth or importance.

evaluate the success of

Focuses on evaluating whether something achieved its goal.

be the crucible for

Uses "crucible" metaphorically to mean a severe test.

be the touchstone of

Substitutes test with touchstone to mean a standard.

validate the claims of

Highlights confirming or substantiating assertions.

FAQs

How can I use "be the test of" in a sentence?

Use "be the test of" to indicate that something will prove or disprove a particular quality or capability. For example, "The upcoming elections will "be the test of" the new leader's popularity".

What does "be the test of" mean?

It means something will serve as proof or evidence of a quality, ability, or truth. It implies a critical evaluation point. For instance, "The product launch will "be the test of" our marketing strategy's effectiveness".

What can I say instead of "be the test of"?

You can use alternatives like "serve as the measure of", "act as the yardstick for", or "be the benchmark for" depending on the specific context.

How formal is the phrase "be the test of"?

The phrase "be the test of" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It can be used in academic papers, news articles, or even casual conversations without sounding out of place.