criteria

USAGE SUMMARY

'criteria' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is used to refer to the various standards or requirements one must meet in order to achieve a certain goal. For example: "The criteria for acceptance into the school's program are very strict."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Results have been weighted to nationally representative criteria.

The Guardian

"There are legal criteria for ordering preventative detention, such as preserving the public order or guaranteeing the continuity of an investigation.

The Guardian - Sport

The EU's competition commissioner, Joaquín Almunia, had expressed scepticism that the Hinkley Point C scheme could satisfy the EU's stringent state aid criteria after the UK government agreed to underwrite the project with a loan guarantee and a commitment on the price of the electricity generated by the power station.

The Guardian

However, she adds that Ofsted now needs to clarify what it does expect schools to do to meet its inspection criteria.

The Guardian

If the purpose of the judgment is not to enable censorship of publishers by the back door, then we'd encourage Google to be transparent about the criteria it is using to make these decisions, and how publishers can challenge them".

The Guardian - Tech

Their recommendation that this new legal framework must be based on an explicit avowal of intrusive surveillance capabilities and spell out authorisation procedures, privacy constraints, transparence requirements, targeting criteria and the rest is also significant.

The Guardian

The trio scored well against ten criteria, including bringing in licensing schemes, fining lettings agents that break the law, prosecuting criminal landlords and running phone lines to give renters advice.

The Guardian

He said the three criteria used to determine whether two countries should be kept apart were whether they had normal diplomatic relations, whether there was an ongoing military or armed conflict and whether there had been a request made by either national association to be kept apart.

The Guardian - Sport

What a pity modern political parties do not apply the same criteria.

The Guardian

Tokyo scores a buzz of just 2, again due partly to Japan using its own social media engines – yet Seoul does remarkably well on the same criteria.

The Guardian

The government might also address the fact that taxpayer-controlled RBS still invests heavily in oil and gas by, for example, introducing low carbon investment criteria.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "criteria", ensure that the context clearly defines what is being measured or evaluated. Be specific about the standards being applied to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "criteria" as a singular noun; the singular form is "criterion". Using "criteria" to refer to a single standard is a common mistake.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "criteria" is that of a plural noun. It is used to represent the standards, rules, or tests on which a judgment or decision can be based. As Ludwig AI indicates, its usage is considered correct in written English. Examples found in Ludwig illustrate its role in specifying conditions or benchmarks across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Formal & Business

13%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "criteria" functions as a plural noun used to define the standards or rules by which something is judged. According to Ludwig AI, the term is considered grammatically sound and widely used in written English. It frequently appears in news and media, formal business settings, and scientific contexts. Remember that the singular form is "criterion", and use it accordingly. Understanding its function and appropriate use enhances clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

standards

Emphasizes established benchmarks or levels of quality.

requirements

Highlights essential conditions that must be met.

guidelines

Suggests a set of recommendations or advice.

benchmarks

Focuses on points of reference for evaluation or comparison.

measures

Indicates methods or systems used for assessment.

yardsticks

Implies a tool or standard for judging something.

specifications

Refers to detailed descriptions of design or performance.

provisions

Denotes specific terms or conditions laid out.

conditions

Highlights stipulations that must be satisfied.

qualifications

Emphasizes necessary skills or attributes.

FAQs

How do you use "criteria" in a sentence?

You can use "criteria" to specify the requirements or standards for something. For example, "The selection "criteria" for the scholarship are based on academic merit and financial need".

What is the singular form of "criteria"?

The singular form of "criteria" is "criterion". Remember to use "criterion" when referring to a single standard.

What can I say instead of "criteria"?

Alternatives to "criteria" include "standards", "requirements", or "guidelines", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "the criteria is"?

No, it is not correct. Since "criteria" is plural, you should say "the criteria are". The singular form, "criterion", would be used with "is", as in "the criterion is".