measure at

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'measure at' is not correct and not usable in written English.
It is best to use the word 'measure' instead. For example, "I'm going to measure the length of this table."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

By one measure, at least, he succeeded.

The Economist

Not something one could hope to measure at home.

The Guardian - Tech

By one measure at least, that era may be over.

The Economist

Sierra Leoneans cooperated with this measure at great personal sacrifice.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Measure for Measure" at Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival at Boscobel Restoration in Garrison.

The New York Times

After Mr. Thoj protested the measure at a public hearing, he received an anonymous letter.

The New York Times

By one measure, at least, the future of America seems to be at the gambling table.

The New York Times

She sounds delighted and amazed in equal measure at her good fortune.

The Guardian

When do you measure, at high tide, when there is likely to be more water?

The New York Times

The Assembly said it would reconsider the measure at the end of the month.

The New York Times - Tech

On that measure at least, Paul is already in pole position.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you intend to express the action of finding the dimensions or quantity of something, directly use "measure" followed by the object, such as "measure the room".

Common error

Avoid adding unnecessary prepositions like "at" after "measure". The correct usage is to follow "measure" directly with the item being measured, unless you are specifying units (e.g., "measure in inches").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "measure at" is generally grammatically incorrect. The primary grammatical function of "measure" is as a transitive verb, requiring a direct object. The addition of "at" creates an awkward and incorrect construction. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "measure at" appears in various sources, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. The correct usage is to follow "measure" directly with the object being measured. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase violates standard grammar rules. While its frequency is high, this does not validate its usage. Instead, consider alternatives like directly using "measure" followed by the object, such as "measure the length", or phrases like "take measurements" or "determine the measurement". Always aim for precision and grammatical accuracy in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

measure something

Focuses on the direct action of measuring, removing the preposition. This alternative is direct and grammatically correct.

take measurements

Emphasizes the act of taking measurements, implying a process.

determine the measurement

Highlights the determination of a specific measurement value.

assess the level of

Shifts the focus to assessment rather than direct measurement, suitable for abstract qualities.

evaluate the extent of

Similar to assess, but with an emphasis on the degree or scope.

quantify the amount of

Stresses the quantification aspect, making it suitable for contexts where numerical precision is important.

gauge the intensity

Replaces measure with gauge, appropriate for assessing intensity or strength.

calculate the value of

Highlights the calculation aspect of measurement, suitable for precise numerical contexts.

find the dimension of

Focuses on finding a specific dimension, like length or width.

ascertain the size of

Emphasizes finding out the size, suitable for contexts where overall size is important.

FAQs

How to correctly use "measure" in a sentence?

The verb "measure" typically requires a direct object, indicating what is being measured. For example, "Measure the distance" is correct, while "measure at the distance" is not. Use prepositions to specify units or conditions, like "measure in meters" or "measure under pressure".

Is it grammatically correct to say "measure at"?

No, the phrase "measure at" is generally not grammatically correct in standard English. The verb "measure" is usually followed directly by the object being measured. You would typically say "measure the length", not "measure at the length".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "measure at"?

Instead of "measure at", you can use alternatives like "take measurements", "determine the measurement", or simply "measure something", depending on the context.

When would I use a preposition after "measure"?

You would use a preposition after "measure" when specifying units, conditions, or methods. For instance, "measure in centimeters", "measure under controlled conditions", or "measure with a ruler" are all correct usages.