on what standard

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on what standard" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when questioning the criteria or basis for a judgment, decision, or evaluation. Example: "On what standard do you base your assessment of the project's success?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Justice Ginsburg also pressed the lawyers on what standard should be used in a recount.

The New York Times

Even when parties disagree about what a fair outcome would be, there is usually room for interpretation and negotiation on what standard of fairness the parties should use.

Harvard University

It does, of course, depend on what standard of restaurant you frequent, but we've seen a selection of the meat and think it is good quality.

The Guardian - Money

Justices Stevens, Souter, Breyer and Ginsburg said the courts should be open to such cases, although they did not agree on what standard to apply.

The New York Times

Given the vagueness of the Florida statute on what standard to use when recounting, the Florida courts should be allowed to interpret a uniform standard, without being accused of rewriting the election law after the voting.

The New York Times

The significance of the eventual ruling in this case, Federal Election Commission v. Wisconsin Right to Life Inc., No. 06-969, may depend on what standard the court sets for distinguishing genuine issue ads from the "electioneering communications" that the law seeks to regulate.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"It's important that the fans and everyone knows what's going on, what standards we want.

BBC

Perhaps topping the list of concerns is the proliferation of funds of funds, pools of hedge funds that are meant to lower risk but that also come with another layer of fees on top of what standard hedge funds charge.

The New York Times

The dispute centers on what standards to use in determining the validity of questionable ballots.

The New York Times

Representatives of the E.B.A. and the European Commission said Sunday that they could not comment on what standards the stress tests would use.

The New York Times

The report refers repeatedly to "confusion" within the bank staff, which seemed unable to agree on what standards to use in judging the project's effects.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "on what standard", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being evaluated or judged. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "on what standard" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "what basis" or "how" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on what standard" functions as an interrogative prepositional phrase, prompting clarification of the criteria or benchmark being used for an assessment. Examples from Ludwig show its use in legal, political and general contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "on what standard" serves as an interrogative phrase, prompting clarification of evaluation criteria. As Ludwig AI suggests, its grammatical correctness aligns with neutral to formal registers, commonly appearing in news, academic and science contexts. When considering alternatives, "according to what criteria" or "on what basis" offer similar semantic weight. When writing, ensure contextual clarity and avoid overuse in informal settings. The phrase's infrequent but consistent usage across varied sources underscores its grammatical correctness and practical applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by what metric

Replaces "standard" with "metric", focusing on quantifiable measures.

according to what criteria

Uses a more formal structure, emphasizing established guidelines.

on what basis

Focuses on the underlying reason or justification.

under what guidelines

Specifically refers to rules or instructions followed.

by which measure

Highlights the tool or method used for evaluation.

on what terms

Implies conditions or stipulations being considered.

using what benchmark

Emphasizes a point of reference for comparison.

with what yardstick

Emphasizes comparison against a specific measure.

following what protocol

Refers to an established procedure or set of rules.

guided by what principle

Highlights the fundamental belief or value influencing the decision.

FAQs

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

Use "on what standard" to inquire about the criteria used for making a judgment or evaluation. For example, "On what standard did you base your decision?"

What phrases are similar to "on what standard"?

You can use phrases like "according to what criteria", "on what basis", or "by what metric" depending on the context.

Is "on what standard" formal or informal?

"On what standard" tends to be more formal. In informal contexts, simpler alternatives may be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "on what standard" and "what standards"?

"On what standard" implies a singular, specific criterion, while "what standards" refers to multiple criteria or a general set of rules. For example: "On what standard are you judging this essay?" versus "What standards are required for graduation?"