criterion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "criterion" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a standard or principle by which something is judged or decided. Example: "The main criterion for selecting candidates is their relevant experience in the field."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We were pleasantly surprised by how well we've done when buying appliances, even though energy efficiency wasn't our main criterion – in fact, it wasn't even on the list.

The Guardian

Obviously I meet that criterion without even breaking sweat.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"We would have to decide whether there was a manifest error on the part of the state authorities concerned, and in particular of the national courts concerned, before we could reject a case as inadmissible under the new criterion... Ultimately, in those cases we would be the ones who would be interpreting the provision and applying it".

The Guardian

Fraser, the most senior official within Treasury, said in February that fairness was an important criterion for a well-functioning tax system.

The Guardian

"A new inadmissibility criterion would of course, if it were adopted, be for the court to apply," Bratza insisted.

The Guardian

Tony Blair and I knew there was no chance of actually winning the war on the ground and bringing peace to Iraq, so we had to construct our own criterion for success.

The Guardian - Books

But if that is the criterion, one must question the inclusion of the Lib Dems, who polled lower than the Greens on all measures and came a joint sixth with a host of other parties in terms of MEPs.

The Guardian - Opinion

The World Trade Organisation bans their use as a criterion for contract evaluation in all industries except defence.

The Economist

This tactic has been shown to enhance racial diversity without considering race as a criterion for admission.The American public is increasingly skeptical of affirmative action.

The Economist

Remarkably, offsets are now said to be the main criterion in contract evaluation in Turkey and some Asian countries more important than the price or the technical capability of the defence equipment itself.

The Economist

If the IMF were to change its criterion it would be able to defend itself against accusations that it employs technicians who are second-line economists.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Remember that "criterion" is singular; the plural form is "criteria". Use the correct form based on whether you're referring to one standard or multiple standards.

Common error

A common mistake is using "criteria" when referring to a single standard. Always use "criterion" for singular and "criteria" for plural.

Linguistic Context

The noun "criterion" functions as a standard or principle by which something is judged or decided. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness. It commonly introduces a basis for evaluation or selection, as demonstrated in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

34%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "criterion" is a grammatically correct noun used to denote a standard or test for judgment, confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is frequently found in news, business, and scientific contexts. Common errors include confusing the singular "criterion" with its plural form, "criteria". Alternatives include "standard" and "benchmark". Understanding its function and appropriate usage enhances clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

standard

A general term indicating a measure or principle used for evaluation.

benchmark

A reference point against which something can be measured.

yardstick

A standard used for comparison or evaluation.

touchstone

A test or standard for determining authenticity or quality.

measure

A standard used for comparison or assessment.

test

A procedure intended to establish the quality, performance, or reliability of something.

condition

A requirement that must be fulfilled.

requirement

Something that is needed or essential.

qualification

A condition that must be met to be eligible.

specification

A detailed description of the features of something.

FAQs

How do I use "criterion" in a sentence?

Use "criterion" to specify a standard or test by which something is judged. For example, "The main "criterion" for selection was experience."

What's the plural form of "criterion"?

The plural form of "criterion" is "criteria". Remember to use "criteria" when referring to multiple standards or tests.

What can I say instead of "criterion"?

You can use alternatives like "standard", "benchmark", or "measure" depending on the context.

Is "criterion" a formal word?

Yes, "criterion" is generally considered a formal word and is suitable for academic, professional, and news-related writing.