measure against

USAGE SUMMARY

"measure against" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to compare or evaluate two or more objects or concepts. For example: "We need to measure our performance against our competitors to see how we stack up in the industry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Approval of the American-sponsored measure against terrorism came later.

The New York Times

This is a measure against the accumulation of private arsenals.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's purely a personal measure against past performances".

The Guardian - Music

Retaliatory measure against European carriers would have followed.

The Economist

This means rejecting the poison pill as a managerial defense measure against an activist campaign.

Columbia University

Soldiers block it at night as a security measure against the Lord's Resistance Army.

The New York Times - Magazine

Fold a pipecleaner into a 'U' shape and measure against front two legs.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This "capacity to grow" figure is the measure against which debt sustainability is judged.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

That's not the kind of thing you can measure against other cases".

The New York Times - Sports

Since the 1980s, grouting has been the main preventive measure against bed-separation water hazard.

Applied Water Science

Destressing techniques play a very important role as an active measure against rockbursts.

Rockburst Mechanisms, Monitoring, Warning, and Mitigation

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "measure against", ensure you clearly define the criteria or standard against which you are evaluating something. This provides context and strengthens the comparison.

Common error

Avoid using "measure against" without specifying what you are measuring against. A vague comparison weakens your argument. Always specify the reference point for evaluation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "measure against" functions as a prepositional verb phrase used to express comparison or evaluation in relation to a specific standard, target, or another item. As shown by Ludwig, it's commonly employed to gauge performance, effectiveness, or alignment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "measure against" is a common and grammatically sound expression used for comparative evaluation. According to Ludwig, it's found across diverse contexts, including news, science, and business, indicating its versatile application. It is used to assess something against a specific benchmark or criterion. While "measure against" is generally correct and well-received, remember to specify against what you are measuring to avoid vagueness. Use alternatives like "compare with" or "evaluate against" for nuanced expressions. Given its widespread use and clear meaning, "measure against" remains a valuable phrase in both professional and general communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

compare with

Focuses specifically on noting similarities and differences.

evaluate against

Implies a more formal or structured assessment.

assess in relation to

Highlights the act of judging something in connection to something else.

benchmark against

Suggests using a standard or point of reference for evaluation.

weigh against

Emphasizes considering the relative importance or influence of different factors.

test against

Implies a practical demonstration to verify something.

guard against

Highlights taking precautions to prevent something negative from happening.

protect from

Focuses on shielding something from harm or danger.

counteract with

Implies using something to neutralize a negative effect.

defend against

Emphasizes resisting an attack or threat.

FAQs

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

You can use "measure against" to compare something to a standard, goal, or another item. For example, "We need to "measure against" industry benchmarks to see how we perform".

What are some alternatives to "measure against"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "compare with", "evaluate against", or "assess in relation to".

Is it better to use "measure against" or "compare to"?

While both phrases involve comparison, "measure against" implies a more structured or formal assessment against a defined criterion, while "compare to" is a more general term for noting similarities or differences.

When should I use "benchmark against" instead of "measure against"?

"Benchmark against" is suitable when you are comparing performance or results to an established standard or best practice. "Measure against" is more general and can apply to any kind of comparison.