gauge against

USAGE SUMMARY

"gauge against" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to compare or measure something against a standard or criteria. Example: The company will gauge against market trends before making any decisions on expanding into a new region.

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

That doesn't mean they can't finish, maybe with a new personal best, perhaps with an accomplishment that required as much perseverance and intensity as what gets a "natural" athlete what Harrison calls "a real trophy". Doing as much as possible with what one has been given is an achievement – a unique achievement, hard to gauge against all the others, but a real one nonetheless.

Forbes

Baba described the Avatar as "a gauge against which man can measure what he is and what he may become.

Wikipedia

Unscrew the cap on your tire's air intake and hold a tire pressure gauge against it, allowing air to flow out of the tire and into the gauge.

WikiHow

The cap may have an oil gauge attached, so check the oil as you would in a car: judge the level of oil on the gauge against the depth of the reservoir (the length of the gauge).

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

This result will affect the evaluation of national standard precipitation gauges against the DFIR.

Journal of Hydrology

Their foreign-exchange reserves are much smaller than Brazil's when gauged against their external-financing requirements.

The Economist

Its endless repetition surely entitles the public to require the direction of policy to be gauged against this ethical litmus test.

The Guardian

"That way, the level of financial commitment can be gauged against how quickly the economy can bounce back and sustain a very significant transaction," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

But analysts also noted a flight to precious metals, including gold, as the reverberations from Europe and the debt talks were gauged against the bigger picture of an uneven economic recovery.

The New York Times

Registrations should be gauged against the level of requirements applicable at the moment of submission.

Environmental Sciences Europe

Shares of Netflix were up slightly in extended trading, likely a combination of those questions around U.S. growth gauged against its strong performance this quarter.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gauge against" when you want to emphasize the act of comparing something to a specific standard or criterion. For instance, "gauge the project's progress against the initial milestones".

Common error

Avoid using "gauge against" when simply noting a general difference. This phrase implies a deliberate comparison against a defined benchmark, not just observing a disparity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gauge against" functions as a verb phrase followed by a preposition, indicating the act of comparing or evaluating something against a standard. Ludwig provides examples showcasing its use in various contexts, aligning with this function.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33.3%

News & Media

33.3%

Wiki

33.3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gauge against" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's used to express the act of comparing or measuring something against a standard or criteria. While its frequency is relatively rare, its application spans across multiple domains including Science, News & Media and Wiki sources. The phrase is most suited for scenarios where a specific comparison against a defined benchmark is intended, rather than a general observation. For more formal contexts, alternatives like "assess relative to" can enhance the tone. When in doubt, ensure the comparison is deliberate and against a clearly defined standard.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

measure against

Uses "measure" instead of "gauge", implying a more precise comparison.

compare with

Employs "compare" to highlight similarities and differences.

evaluate against

Substitutes "gauge" with "evaluate", suggesting a more formal assessment.

assess relative to

Replaces "gauge against" with "assess relative to", which is a more formal and analytical comparison.

weigh against

Uses "weigh" to imply a careful consideration of the factors involved.

benchmark against

Implies comparison against a standard or best practice.

contrast with

Focuses on the differences when making a comparison.

test against

Implies a rigorous comparison, often in a scientific or technical context.

check against

Implies verifying something's accuracy with a comparison.

judge in light of

Shifts the focus to making a judgment based on a comparison.

FAQs

How can I use "gauge against" in a sentence?

Use "gauge against" when you want to compare or measure something against a standard or criteria. For example, "The company will "gauge against" market trends before making any decisions on expanding into a new region".

What are some alternatives to "gauge against"?

You can use alternatives like "measure against", "compare with", or "evaluate against" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "gauge against" in formal writing?

Yes, "gauge against" can be used in formal writing when you need to express a structured comparison to a standard or benchmark. However, consider alternatives like "assess relative to" for increased formality.

How does "gauge against" differ from "compare to"?

"Gauge against" implies measuring against a specific benchmark, while "compare to" is a more general term for noting similarities and differences. Using "gauge against" suggests a more structured evaluation.