on what criterion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on what criterion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when asking for the basis or standard by which a judgment or decision is made. Example: "On what criterion did you base your evaluation of the candidates?"

✓ Grammatically correct

Engineering Structures

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Further, it was found that the artificial ground motions may not always be adequate for analyses of transmission towers depending on what criterion is used in record selection.

Engineering Structures

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It also depends on what criteria one uses to evaluate the systems.

BMC Genomics

As the discussion within WHO and the responses to our survey show, there are other contentious issues as well: who decides and based on what criteria does one decide how the samples should be used, and who should receive credits on publications arising out of the research.

BMC Medical Ethics

I have long wondered who "picks" the Times Picks, and based on what criteria, and this one was just egregious enough for me to seek out the public editor.

The New York Times

How one proves that a condition is a disease depends partly on what criteria of disease we can agree upon, but even without giving a definition of disease, one can see that the claim that the empirical evidence entails that alcoholism is a disease is highly contestable.

SEP

On what criteria?

The New York Times - Arts

Please confirm, in all other cases, who selected which victims should be notified, on what criteria, on what authority and who else had any requisite knowledge?

The Guardian

But beneath the report on defence equipment procurement lies a much bigger question: who exactly is running defence and security policy in this country, and on what criteria.

The Guardian - Opinion

That will apparently depend, in turn, on what criteria are applied to interpreting the intentions of voters whose ballots have been disputed.

The New York Times

The post reads:Which country you think will merit that far more desirable title in 2010 depends of course on what criteria you use to pick a winner.

The Economist

As a result, we will probably never know how many people were spied on, what criteria were used to select them and what was done with the information gleaned from the wiretaps.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "on what criterion", ensure the context clearly indicates who is setting the criterion and why it is relevant to the situation being discussed. This adds clarity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Remember that "criterion" is singular, while "criteria" is plural. Avoid using "criterion" when referring to multiple standards. For example, instead of "on what criterion are these judged", use "on what "criteria" are these judged".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on what criterion" functions as an interrogative prepositional phrase, typically used to inquire about the specific standard or principle used as a basis for judgment or decision-making. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "on what criterion" is a grammatically sound interrogative phrase used to inquire about the specific standard or basis used for a judgment or decision. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While relatively rare, this phrase is most frequently found in science, news & media, and formal business contexts, indicating a formal or professional register. To ensure clarity, explicitly state who establishes the criterion and its relevance. When referring to multiple standards, use "criteria" instead of "criterion".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by what standard

This alternative replaces "criterion" with "standard", focusing on the measure used for evaluation.

on what basis

This alternative replaces "criterion" with "basis", emphasizing the foundation for a decision.

according to what measure

This alternative emphasizes the system or method being followed.

based on which principle

This alternative highlights a guiding rule or belief.

on what grounds

This alternative emphasizes the reasons or justification.

under what conditions

This alternative focuses on the circumstances or requirements.

by what guidelines

This alternative refers to a set of recommendations that informs decisions or actions.

by what metric

This alternative uses "metric" to imply a measurable standard.

on what parameters

This alternative emphasizes specific elements considered in the evaluation.

through which lens

This alternative uses a metaphor of a lens to signify a perspective or method of interpreting information.

FAQs

How can I use "on what criterion" in a sentence?

Use "on what criterion" to inquire about the specific standard or basis used for making a judgment or decision. For instance: "On what criterion did the committee base its selection of the scholarship recipient?"

What's the difference between "on what criterion" and "on what basis"?

While similar, "on what criterion" emphasizes a specific, defined standard, while "on what basis" is a broader inquiry into the reasons or justification. Use "on what criterion" when asking about a formal or established rule.

Is it correct to say "on what criteria" instead of "on what criterion"?

Using "on what criteria" is correct when you are referring to multiple standards or factors used in making a judgment. "Criterion" is singular, so "on what criterion" is appropriate when you are asking about a single standard.

What are some alternatives to using "on what criterion" in formal writing?

In formal writing, you can use alternatives such as "by what standard", "according to what measure", or "based on which principle" to inquire about the grounds for a decision.