critique

USAGE SUMMARY

"critique" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used as a noun or a verb (critiquing, critiqued). Example: I critiqued my friend's essay and gave her detailed feedback on how she could improve it.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Lady Warsi, who resigned from the government in August over Gaza, delivered a blistering critique last month of the approach towards Britain's Muslims, warning that failure to engage properly with communities across the UK has created a climate of suspicion and undermined the fight against extremism.

The Guardian

His libertarianism, if implemented, would be nothing short of a social and economic disaster; but his critique of crony capitalism – of the fusion between corporate interests and the state – is one many on the left could easily identify with.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Your critique of the government's austerity strategy may never win back public trust and your proposals for the economy will never convince".

The Guardian - Opinion

David Miliband has delivered a harsh critique of his brother's election campaign, saying it appeared to push the Labour party backwards from the principles of aspiration and inclusion.

The Guardian

There is a powerful, coherent critique of it and an alternative to it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Occupy Sandy's mutual aid connected the hurricane to a critique of capitalism for failing to provide infrastructures adequate to the needs of an urban population in a changing climate.

The Guardian - Opinion

As well as modders such as Kapovsky, there are vape video-bloggers who critique new flavours and devices (often in surprisingly croaky voices).

The Guardian

The public critique is already showing signs of improving the quality of the work produced.

The Guardian

The second problem with Byrne's critique is that he has some clear research priorities that he wishes to support.

The Guardian

In a strongly worded critique of City behaviour in the run-up to the financial crisis, Carney said market radicalism and light-touch regulation had eroded fair capitalism, while scandals such as the rigging of Libor markets had undermined trust in the financial system.

The Guardian - Business

I'd had enough of childish, angry, disenfranchised academic passivity – and still resent the utter failure of public intellectuals to resist and critique the laughably short Browne review the moment it drew breath.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "critique" as a verb, ensure clarity by specifying what is being critiqued and the basis for the critique. For example, instead of saying "I will critique it", say "I will critique the proposal based on its feasibility and potential impact."

Common error

Avoid using "critique" in vague contexts. Instead of simply stating that something needs a "critique", specify the areas that require evaluation or improvement.

Linguistic Context

The word "critique" functions as both a noun, referring to a critical assessment or analysis, and a verb, meaning to evaluate something critically. Ludwig provides examples of both usages, demonstrating its versatility in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "critique" is a versatile word that can function as both a noun and a verb, signifying a detailed and reasoned evaluation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. With a "very common" frequency, it appears across diverse contexts, primarily in news media and formal business settings. When using "critique", clarity is key; specify the subject and criteria of your evaluation to avoid vagueness. Alternatives such as "critical assessment", "detailed review", and "thorough analysis" can provide nuanced variations. Remember that while "criticize" focuses on flaws, "critique" offers a balanced assessment, essential for professional and academic rigor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

critical assessment

Emphasizes the evaluative nature of the analysis.

critical evaluation

Similar to "critical assessment" but emphasizes the evaluative aspect.

detailed review

Highlights the thoroughness of the evaluation.

thorough analysis

Focuses on the comprehensive examination of the subject.

in-depth analysis

Focuses on the depth and detail of the examination.

constructive criticism

Suggests an evaluation intended to improve the subject.

scholarly review

Implies a rigorous and academic evaluation.

evaluate rigorously

Focuses on the rigorous aspect of evaluating.

assess critically

Highlights the critical nature of the assessment.

offer feedback

Suggests a more general and potentially less harsh evaluation.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "critique" in a sentence?

To effectively use "critique", specify what you are evaluating and the criteria you are using. For example, "The professor will "critique" the essay based on clarity, argumentation, and evidence."

What are some alternatives to the word "critique"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as /s/"critical assessment", /s/"detailed review", /s/"thorough analysis", or /s/"constructive criticism".

What is the difference between "critique" and "criticize"?

"Critique" often implies a more detailed and balanced assessment, while "criticize" can suggest a more negative or fault-finding approach. A "critique" aims to evaluate strengths and weaknesses, whereas to /s/"criticize" primarily focuses on flaws.

In what contexts is it most appropriate to use the word "critique"?

"Critique" is appropriate in academic, professional, and formal settings where a thorough and reasoned evaluation is required. It's commonly used in reviewing literature, art, proposals, and policies.