good gauge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "good gauge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a reliable measure or indicator of something, often in contexts like assessments or evaluations. Example: "The survey results provide a good gauge of customer satisfaction with our services."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Wages, a good gauge of labour demand, are growing sluggishly.

The Economist

Beer sales, for instance, are often a good gauge of overall consumer spending.

The Economist

Car sales, which are a good gauge of consumer confidence, are surging.

The New Yorker

That's a good gauge of the way things are, and that shows how difficult it is.

The New York Times - Sports

A unique blend of factors made South Africa's currency a good gauge of how investors feel.

The Economist

But income is not always a good gauge of economic power.

The New York Times

I'm going to make sure I like you personally, because I think that's a good gauge.

The New York Times

A good gauge of a spa is the number of professionals on staff.

The New York Times - Travel

"We'll get a pretty good gauge of where we're at," Cubs Manager Lou Piniella said.

The New York Times

For years, Onset's elaborate cards have been a pretty good gauge of the valley's mood.

The New York Times

The card industry is a good gauge of how consumers are spending and what they are buying.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "good gauge", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being measured and why the chosen measure is considered reliable. For example, specify "a good gauge of consumer confidence" or "a good gauge of economic health."

Common error

Avoid using "good gauge" without providing specific context or justification. For instance, stating that "sales figures are a good gauge" is vague. Instead, clarify "sales figures are a good gauge of product demand."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "good gauge" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "good" modifies the noun "gauge". It describes something that can be used as a reliable indicator or measurement. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and common usage. This is evident in the provided examples where it qualifies different metrics like "car sales" or "exports" as indicative of broader trends.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

0.5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "good gauge" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe something that serves as a reliable indicator or measurement. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and frequent usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "reliable indicator" or "accurate measure" exist, "good gauge" offers a straightforward and widely understood way to convey the idea of dependable assessment. When employing this phrase, it's beneficial to provide specific context to enhance clarity, avoiding overgeneralizations. Overall, "good gauge" remains a valuable tool for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reliable indicator

Replaces the adjective "good" with "reliable", emphasizing the dependability of the measure.

accurate measure

Substitutes "gauge" with "measure", focusing on the precision of the assessment.

valid yardstick

Uses "yardstick" to replace "gauge", implying a standard or benchmark for comparison.

sound assessment

Employs "assessment" instead of "gauge", suggesting a comprehensive evaluation.

decent barometer

Replaces "gauge" with "barometer", highlighting the ability to reflect current conditions or sentiments.

reasonable estimate

Focuses on the approximate nature of the evaluation, suitable when precision is not critical.

helpful metric

Highlights the utility of the measure in providing valuable information or insights.

useful benchmark

Emphasizes the function of comparison and setting standards.

telling indication

Highlights the revealing nature of the indicator.

effective means of evaluation

A more formal substitute, focusing on the efficiency and effectiveness of the assessment method.

FAQs

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

You can use "good gauge" to describe something that provides a reliable indication or measurement of something else. For example, "Car sales are a "good gauge" of consumer confidence."

What is a suitable alternative to "good gauge"?

Alternatives to "good gauge" include "reliable indicator", "accurate measure", or "valid yardstick" depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "decent gauge" instead of "good gauge"?

Yes, "decent gauge" can be used as a substitute for "good gauge", maintaining a similar meaning. Both phrases suggest that something provides a reasonably reliable indication or measurement. However, "good gauge" is more common in written English.

What does it mean when something is described as a "good gauge"?

When something is described as a "good gauge", it means that it serves as a reliable or accurate indicator of something else. For instance, a particular economic statistic might be considered a "good gauge" of overall economic health.