measure the flow

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "measure the flow" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you need to assess or quantify the movement of a substance, such as liquids or gases, in a system. Example: "To ensure the system is functioning properly, we need to measure the flow of water through the pipes."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It can make measurement for micro-surgery and measure the flow of airflows of body organs by combining with biotechnology.

Expert Systems with Applications

It was intended to measure the flow of meltwater streams.

The New Yorker

Other sensors are wrapped around the base of each tree to measure the flow of sap.

The New York Times - Science

(The astronauts will drop two sets of thermometers, called heat probes, down the holes to measure the flow of heat from the moon).

The New Yorker

With undersea gear that resembles the ultrasound machines in medical offices, they measure the flow rate from hot-water vents on the ocean floor.

The New York Times

Pitot tubes are used to measure airspeed in wind tunnels and aboard aircraft in flight; they are also used to measure the flow of liquids (see flow meter).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Pitot tubes are also used to measure the flow of liquids, particularly in the course of flume studies in fluid mechanics.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And most figures even of foreigners are by-products of data gathered, by separate agencies, for other reasons, not to measure the flow or stock of migrants.

The Economist

Here, the penetrations are smaller, for dozens of pencil-size detectors that are pushed up into the core to measure the flow of neutrons, the subatomic particles that sustain the chain reaction.

The New York Times

The system uses magnetic sensors in the road that measure the flow of traffic, hundreds of cameras and a centralized computer system that makes constant adjustments to keep cars moving as smoothly as possible.

The New York Times

In The Sacred and the Profane and subsequent works, he demonstrated how hierophanies have influenced the ways in which religious traditions distinguish between sacred and profane spaces and interpret and measure the flow of time.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the movement of data or information, consider using "measure the flow" metaphorically. For example, "Analysts measure the flow of information to identify key trends."

Common error

Avoid using "measure the flow" when referring to static or stationary objects. The phrase implies movement, so it's not appropriate to say "measure the flow of the building's foundation."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "measure the flow" primarily functions as a verb phrase. It describes the action of quantifying the movement of something, whether it is a liquid, gas, data, or even people. This is supported by Ludwig examples where it's used in contexts requiring quantification of movement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

61%

News & Media

28%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Expert Systems with Applications

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "measure the flow" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the act of quantifying the movement of various entities, from fluids to data. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across different domains. Its frequency is high, particularly in scientific, news and media, and encyclopedic contexts. When using the phrase, ensure it aligns with the concept of movement or transfer. Alternatives like "determine the flow rate" or "assess the volume of flow" can provide more specificity. The phrase serves diverse communicative purposes, from scientific analysis to reporting on migration patterns. Depending on the source, the register can be formal, professional, or neutral.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

determine the flow rate

Focuses on finding the specific rate at which something is flowing, adding a level of precision.

assess the volume of flow

Emphasizes evaluating the quantity of the flow, rather than just its existence or direction.

quantify the flow velocity

Highlights measuring speed of the flow.

evaluate the fluid dynamics

Shifts the focus to evaluating the broader characteristics of the fluid's movement.

gauge the rate of movement

Focuses on assessing the speed at which something is moving.

calculate the discharge rate

Highlights calculating the volume of fluid passing a point per unit of time.

monitor the stream's progression

Focuses on observing and tracking the progress of the flow over time.

track the current's speed

Emphasizes monitoring and recording the velocity of a current.

estimate the material's flux

Focuses on approximating the rate of transfer of a substance through a given area.

ascertain the traffic volume

Shifts to determining the amount of traffic passing through a specific point.

FAQs

How can I use "measure the flow" in a sentence?

You can use "measure the flow" to describe the process of quantifying the movement of a substance, like water or electricity. For example: "Engineers use sensors to "measure the flow" of water through pipes".

What are some alternatives to "measure the flow"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "determine the flow rate", "assess the volume of flow", or "quantify the flow velocity".

Is it correct to say "measure the flow rate" instead of "measure the flow"?

"Measure the flow" is a general term. "Measure the flow rate" is more specific, indicating the quantity of flow per unit of time. Both are grammatically correct, but their appropriateness depends on the context.

In what situations is "measure the flow" most commonly used?

"Measure the flow" is frequently used in scientific and engineering contexts to describe the quantification of fluid or data movement. It is also found in news and media when reporting on events like oil spills or migration patterns.