critically assess

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "critically assess" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to evaluate something using a critical approach. For example, "In this assignment, you will need to critically assess the performance of the company over the last three years."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mrs. Koroma decided to take a step back -- to pause and breathe if you will -- and critically assess the best use of her position in this situation.

Huffington Post

Then critically assess Plantinga's defense.

Yale University

Then critically assess Edwards's argument.

Yale University

5. Critically assess qualitative research designs and outputs.

Harvard University

Mind games Fake news and neurobabble: how do we critically assess what we read?

The Guardian

"Africa must critically assess its capacity to tackle its significant development challenges in light of its development finance requirements.

The Guardian

Journal editors also may not have the expertise to critically assess a study.

Harvard University

They will learn to critically assess existing indicators and indices, and to construct their own.

Columbia University

Finally, a comparative analysis was performed to critically assess the reliability of different fracture network representations.

Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering

Students critically assess potential planting sites and select appropriate trees, shrubs, vines, and ground covers for a given site.

Cornell University

The course emphasizes the methodologies and skills needed to critically assess the sustainability of various food products and practices.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In reports or essays, follow "critically assess" with specific criteria or standards you are using for your evaluation to make your analysis clear and convincing.

Common error

Don't simply state opinions; provide evidence-based reasoning when you "critically assess". Support your judgments with relevant data and logical arguments to demonstrate a thorough understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "critically assess" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the act of evaluating something thoroughly and analytically. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

36%

News & Media

33%

Science

31%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "critically assess" is a versatile and widely used phrase that calls for a thorough and analytical evaluation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for academic, news, and scientific contexts. When employing this phrase, aim for evidence-based reasoning to support your analysis. Related alternatives include phrases such as "evaluate critically" or "analyze thoroughly". Remember to go beyond superficial opinions and provide detailed, well-supported arguments. The prevalence of this phrase across authoritative sources underscores its importance in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evaluate critically

Swaps the order of the words, putting emphasis on the action of evaluating.

scrutinize carefully

Emphasizes a very detailed and critical level of examination.

appraise analytically

Uses more formal vocabulary to convey a professional assessment.

analyze thoroughly

Replaces "assess" with "analyze" and "critically" with "thoroughly", focusing on in-depth analysis.

review rigorously

Suggests a structured and strict evaluation process.

examine closely

Uses simpler vocabulary while maintaining the sense of detailed inspection.

investigate deeply

Suggests a profound and comprehensive investigation.

judge objectively

Highlights the importance of impartiality in the assessment.

determine impartially

Stresses the unbiased determination of value or merit.

consider thoughtfully

Implies a reflective and careful deliberation.

FAQs

How can I use "critically assess" in a sentence?

You can use "critically assess" to indicate a deep evaluation, as in "The students were asked to critically assess the validity of the research findings".

What phrases are similar to "critically assess"?

Alternatives include "evaluate critically", "analyze thoroughly", or "examine closely", depending on the desired nuance.

Is there a difference between "critically assess" and "critically evaluate"?

While similar, "critically assess" may imply a slightly broader scope of evaluation, whereas "critically evaluate" often suggests a more specific judgment of value or merit.

What does it mean to "critically assess" something?

To "critically assess" means to carefully consider and judge the positive and negative aspects of something, using evidence and reasoning to form a well-supported opinion.