normative statement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "normative statement" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in discussions related to economics, philosophy, or social sciences to refer to statements that express judgments or opinions about what ought to be. Example: "A normative statement would be that the government should provide free healthcare for all citizens."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

That dramatic declaration is not meant to be a normative statement about how Harvard needs to change.

Harvard University

A wail of "It's not fair!" is usually the first normative statement to come out of the mouths of babes and sucklings.

The Economist

But it also amounted to what one former Clinton administration official called "a normative statement about Fed action," which creates the expectation that, whenever there are future actions by the Fed, the president will offer up his approval or disapproval.

The New York Times

Institutes of the Christian Religion, Latin Christianae Religionis Institutio, French Institution de la Religion Chrétienne, John Calvin's masterpiece, a summary of biblical theology that became the normative statement of the Reformed faith.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The trouble is that while "Eating beef is wrong" is clearly a normative statement, "Eating beef is wrong relative to the moral code of the Hindus" is just a descriptive remark that carries no normative import whatsoever.

The New York Times

Of course, this is a normative statement, but with a 20+ year horizon, visioning may in the opinion of the experts produce European policy measures conducive to reframing the challenges of addiction.

European Journal of Futures Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Merton described these criteria as belonging to the sociology of science, and thus as empirical statements about norms in actual science rather than normative statements about how science should be conducted (Merton [1942] 1973, 268).

SEP

Joseph Raz has called these kinds of statements "detached normative statements"; the anarchist argues as if she endorses the basic norm, without actually endorsing it.

SEP

This is not with the intention to generategeneral normative statements nor to generate a general positive economic theory of choices in management control systems design.

Management Accounting Research

Yet images are not neutral – they can portray highly ideological messages, and act as normative statements portraying a particular way of viewing the world.

Geoforum

Without finance, the sustainable development goals agreed by UN member states in September are just laudable normative statements of what the world should look like, lacking the means to make it that way.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "normative statement", ensure that the context clearly indicates the domain of normativity (e.g., ethics, law, economics) to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid presenting "normative statements" as objective facts. Clearly distinguish between what is and what ought to be in your analysis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "normative statement" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to a declaration that expresses a value judgment or opinion, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "normative statement" refers to a claim expressing a value judgment, often encountered in academic, ethical, and philosophical discussions. While grammatically correct and usable, its occurrence is relatively rare. Ludwig AI shows that ensuring clarity and distinguishing such statements from objective facts are key to effective communication. Alternatives include "value judgment" and "prescriptive statement".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

value judgment

Emphasizes the subjective assessment inherent in a normative claim.

prescriptive statement

Highlights the aspect of recommending or prescribing a course of action or belief.

ethical assertion

Focuses on the moral or ethical dimension of the statement.

moral claim

Specifically indicates a statement pertaining to right and wrong.

opinion statement

Underscores the personal belief or viewpoint expressed.

judgmental declaration

Draws attention to the act of making a judgment or evaluation.

evaluative statement

Highlights the process of evaluation or assessment in the statement.

ought statement

Implies a statement about what should be or ought to be the case.

recommendation

Focuses on the aspect of suggesting a preferred course of action.

standard statement

Highlights the establishment of a defined benchmark.

FAQs

How can I use "normative statement" in a sentence?

You can use "normative statement" to express an opinion or value judgment, such as: "The claim that everyone should have access to healthcare is a "normative statement"."

What is the difference between a "normative statement" and a positive statement?

A "normative statement" expresses an opinion or value judgment, while a positive statement is a factual claim that can be tested. For example, "reducing taxes will stimulate the economy" is a positive statement, while "the government should reduce taxes" is a "normative statement".

What are some alternatives to using "normative statement"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "value judgment", "prescriptive statement", or "ethical assertion".

Is "normative statement" the same as "moral statement"?

While a "normative statement" can be a "moral statement", it is not always the case. A "normative statement" expresses a value judgment about what ought to be, which could be ethical, legal, or economic in nature. A moral statement, however, specifically relates to principles of right and wrong.