evaluate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "evaluate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to talk about an appraisal or assessment of something. For example, "The teacher asked us to evaluate the arguments presented in the essay."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were told that the superiors would direct and evaluate the subordinates and that this evaluation would determine the subordinates' payment for the experiment.

The Economist

It's nearly impossible for consumers to evaluate how healthy a bank is.

The Economist

"They are always looking for indicators to evaluate the things that don't show up on the balance sheet".

The Guardian

The final, considerably more neutral compromise asked respondents to evaluate the "changes in Ukraine".

The Guardian

She amazed me by her knowledge of our domestic developments, her understanding of the nature of changes then under way, her ability to evaluate them realistically and her readiness to share with us the experience of what she called "my own perestroika".

The Guardian

Indeed, she had a rare ability to delve deeply and thoroughly into the events of the past century, evaluate the scope and meaning of each of them, and analyse the unique features of different countries and regions.

The Guardian

Flores also says the law's requirement that exploration will be subject to "independent Environmental Impact Assessments EIAis) is misleading because the government has turned the EIAs into a "simple formality", and SERNAP, which must evaluate the EIAs, has "no independence and does what the government wants".

The Guardian

Soledad Muniz, head of participatory video for monitoring and evaluation, InsightShare, London, UK. @solemu Soledad has recently coordinated and implemented an InsightShare training programme with the Population Council in Guatemala, using video to build the capacity of adolescent girls and staff to evaluate girl programming.

The Guardian

"People should evaluate this for themselves with a bias toward good science and toward the advice of our public health professionals," President Barack Obama's spokesman, Josh Earnest, told reporters.

The Guardian

But how do you evaluate what's an equitable wage?

The Guardian - Business

"As always, we will continually evaluate whether further actions can be taken to protect the privacy of our users and our ability to defend it," write Mayer and Bell.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "evaluate", clearly define the criteria against which you are making your assessment. This adds credibility and clarity to your analysis.

Common error

While "evaluate" is versatile, avoid using it in very informal situations where simpler verbs like "check", "see", or "look at" might be more appropriate. For example, instead of saying "Evaluate this picture," you could say "Look at this picture."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "evaluate" is as a transitive verb, requiring a direct object. It signifies the action of assessing, judging, or determining the significance, worth, or condition of something. Ludwig provides numerous examples across diverse fields illustrating its application.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "evaluate" is a versatile transitive verb commonly used to express the act of assessing or judging something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and suitable for a wide range of writing contexts. It appears most frequently in "News & Media", "Formal & Business", and "Science" contexts, indicating its relevance in professional and analytical discourse. While alternatives such as "assess", "judge", and "appraise" exist, "evaluate" carries a nuance of structured and reasoned judgment. To use it effectively, clarify the criteria you are using for assessment. Avoid overusing "evaluate" in informal settings, where simpler verbs may suffice. Overall, "evaluate" remains a powerful tool for expressing informed and considered judgments in various forms of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assess

Focuses more on the process of judging the value or quality of something.

judge

Implies forming an opinion or conclusion about something.

appraise

Suggests a formal assessment of value, especially in financial contexts.

measure

Emphasizes determining the size, amount, or degree of something.

gauge

Implies estimating or determining the amount, level, or volume of something.

determine

Focuses on finding out or establishing something exactly.

estimate

Suggests a rough calculation or judgment of value or quantity.

weigh

Involves considering the relative importance of different factors.

analyze

Implies a detailed examination of the elements or structure of something.

calculate

Focuses on a mathematical computation or determination.

FAQs

How can I use "evaluate" in a sentence?

You can use "evaluate" to express the action of assessing or judging something. For example: "The panel will "evaluate" the candidates based on their qualifications" or "The study aims to "evaluate" the effectiveness of the new policy".

What are some alternatives to "evaluate"?

Depending on the context, you could use "assess", "judge", "appraise", or "analyze" as alternatives to "evaluate".

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

"Evaluate" often implies making a judgment or determining the value of something, while "assess" typically refers to the process of gathering information and making an overall appraisal. They are often used interchangeably, but "evaluate" carries a slightly stronger sense of judgment.

When is it appropriate to use "evaluate" in formal writing?

"Evaluate" is suitable for formal writing when you need to convey a thorough and systematic assessment, especially in academic, professional, or technical contexts. It suggests a careful consideration of facts and evidence before reaching a conclusion.