gauge of support

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gauge of support" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the measurement or assessment of backing or endorsement for a particular idea, project, or individual. Example: "The survey served as a gauge of support for the new policy among the employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

A former civil servant from Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi's party today became the first woman to win a governorship in Japan in a race seen here as an important gauge of support for Mr. Obuchi.

The New York Times

Santorum said he'd likely make his decision after talking with Republican donors and conservative activists about his chances of securing the GOP nomination. "We're talking to donors, we're looking at talking to people in the early primary states and trying to get a gauge of support and doing the grunt work, if you will, of seeing whether there's a path for for us," Santorum told Politico.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

25 Research is therefore necessary to gauge levels of support for plain packaging to assist governments in planning appropriate implementation strategies.

BMJ Open

The consultative group's pledges are an important gauge of international support for economic recovery, and any sign that support is wavering could batter Indonesia's already fragile financial markets.

The New York Times

For the Taiwanese president, Chen Shui-biand and his governing Democratic Progressive Party, the parliamentary election could be a gauge of public support for his plan to hold a controversial referendum alongside the presidential election to ask voters to support the island's bid to join the United Nations under the name of Taiwan.

The New York Times

But the coalition's executive director, Laura Jean Watters, said that base-line figures were the truest gauge of the support an arts council receives from the city.

The New York Times

Opposition parties cast the balloting as a mid-term gauge of public support for Mr. Lee's performance in general, his policies toward North Korea and his handling of the crisis over the sinking of the ship.

The New York Times

The ABC News/Post poll gauged intensity of support and found that Democrats were more set in their candidate choices than were Republicans, but that within the last month voters were firming up their decisions.

The New York Times

Mr. Giordano, a 36-year-old Republican serving his third two-year term as mayor of Waterbury, has formed an exploratory committee to begin raising money and has been traveling the state to gauge his level of support.

The New York Times

Democratic state senators met in private on Thursday to gauge the level of support within their caucus for a bill that would change the 2004 law and emerged nearly evenly split, according to senators familiar with the discussions.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mr. Pallone's supporters say that he is indeed laying the groundwork for a possible run, including meeting with local party leaders and donors to gauge the level of support he has.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "gauge of support", consider the specific context to choose the most appropriate method for measuring or assessing it. Surveys, polls, and direct feedback are common approaches.

Common error

Avoid using "gauge of support" when you actually mean "level of support". "Gauge of support" refers to the method or instrument used to measure support, while "level of support" refers to the amount or intensity of support.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gauge of support" functions primarily as a noun phrase. Ludwig AI confirms that it signifies a means or method used to measure or assess the amount of backing or approval something receives. Examples show its usage in political and social contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gauge of support" is a common and grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe a method or tool for measuring backing or approval. Ludwig AI's analysis and numerous examples illustrate its use across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives exist, such as "measure of backing" or "indicator of approval", "gauge of support" effectively conveys the concept of assessing the extent of endorsement. When using this phrase, be mindful to distinguish it from "level of support", which refers to the amount of support rather than the instrument used to measure it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

measure of backing

Replaces "gauge" with "measure", focusing on the assessment of support.

indicator of approval

Substitutes "gauge" with "indicator" and "support" with "approval", highlighting the sign of endorsement.

assessment of popularity

Replaces "gauge" with "assessment" and "support" with "popularity", focusing on how widely liked something is.

determination of endorsement

Uses "determination" instead of "gauge" and "endorsement" instead of "support", emphasizing a conclusive finding.

evaluation of favor

Replaces "gauge" with "evaluation" and "support" with "favor", suggesting a judgment of positive regard.

barometer of sentiment

Replaces "gauge of support" with "barometer of sentiment", focusing on a tool that reflects public opinion.

index of allegiance

Substitutes "support" with "allegiance", highlighting loyalty or commitment.

estimation of advocacy

Replaces "gauge" with "estimation" and "support" with "advocacy", focusing on the active promotion of something.

pulse of solidarity

Substitutes the expression with "pulse of solidarity", emphasizing a sense of unity or agreement.

litmus test of agreement

Replaces "gauge of support" with "litmus test of agreement", highlighting a key indicator of consensus.

FAQs

How can I use "gauge of support" in a sentence?

You can use "gauge of support" to describe a method or tool used to assess how much backing an idea or person has. For example, "The election served as a vital "gauge of support" for the president's policies."

What's a good alternative to "gauge of support"?

Alternatives include "measure of backing", "indicator of approval", or "assessment of popularity" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "gauge of support" the same as "level of support"?

No, "gauge of support" refers to the method used to assess support, while "level of support" refers to the amount of support. You use a "gauge of support" to determine the "level of support".

How reliable are polls as a "gauge of support"?

Polls can be a useful "gauge of support", but their reliability depends on factors like sample size, question wording, and the representativeness of the sample. Always consider the source and methodology when interpreting poll results.