measure something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "measure something" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of determining the size, amount, or degree of an object or concept. Example: "In order to improve our product, we need to measure something related to customer satisfaction."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They measure something tangible and important.

The New York Times

If you can measure something, then you can improve it.

Characterisation and Design of Tissue Scaffolds

But how do you measure something so seemingly esoteric?

The Guardian

It's difficult to measure something when you don't have a clear understanding.

Columbia University

How to measure something as vague as happiness will be a challenge.

University of California, Berkeley

It's great if you need to measure something in a tight space.

The New York Times

When the government tells you to measure something, you know it means business.

The Economist

You had to measure something more concrete, like the production of ideas.

The New Yorker

tests — which gauge both "fluid" intelligence (abstract reasoning skills) and "crystallized" intelligence (knowledge) — measure something real.

The New York Times - Books

"It's very hard to measure something that moves around on you," Mr. Hill said.

The New York Times - Science

They also measure something important: even within the same family, higher-I.Q.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "measure something", clearly define what aspect you are measuring and the units or scale you are using to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "measure progress", specify "measure progress in terms of sales revenue".

Common error

Avoid using "measure something" without specifying what "something" refers to. Vague statements like "we need to measure something to improve" are less effective than specifying "we need to measure customer satisfaction to improve our service".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "measure something" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where "measure" is the transitive verb and "something" is the direct object. This indicates an action performed on an unspecified object. According to Ludwig, it's a grammatically correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

37%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "measure something" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to denote the act of quantifying or assessing an attribute or quality. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered correct and usable in English. Its frequency across diverse contexts such as news, science, and academia underscores its importance in both formal and informal communication. To enhance clarity and avoid ambiguity, it is best practice to specify what "something" refers to. Alternatives include "quantify something", "assess something", and "evaluate something". By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "measure something" to improve understanding and facilitate meaningful analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quantify something

Focuses on assigning a numerical value.

assess something

Implies evaluating the quality or importance.

evaluate something

Suggests a more in-depth analysis and judgment.

determine something

Highlights the act of finding something out definitively.

gauge something

Emphasizes estimating or judging something.

ascertain something

Indicates discovering something with certainty.

calculate something

Involves a more mathematical or precise determination.

take measurements of something

More explicit about the process of measuring.

find the dimensions of something

Specifically refers to finding physical dimensions.

get data on something

Focuses on obtaining information, not necessarily measuring in a strict sense.

FAQs

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

You can use "measure something" when you want to determine the size, amount, or degree of an object or concept. For example, "In order to improve our product, we need to "measure something" related to customer satisfaction".

What are some alternatives to "measure something"?

Some alternatives to "measure something" include "assess something", "evaluate something", or "quantify something", depending on the specific context.

Is it always necessary to specify what you are measuring when using "measure something"?

Yes, it is best practice to specify what you are measuring to avoid ambiguity and ensure clarity in your communication. For instance, instead of saying "we need to measure something", say "we need to "measure customer satisfaction"".

What if the thing I want to "measure something" is intangible?

Even if what you want to measure is intangible, like happiness or progress, you can still use "measure something" by defining specific indicators or metrics. For example, "How to "measure something" as vague as happiness will be a challenge".