quantify

USAGE SUMMARY

"quantify" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when you need to express the idea of measuring, determining, or calculating the amount, size, or degree of something. For example, "The researchers quantified the effects of the treatment on the patients."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Forte agreed with Arquette "100%" but said it was difficult to quantify the pay gap, or to know whether fault lay with female actors or agents for not pushing hard enough, or with executives for resisting equal pay.

The Guardian - Film

"The point of this was to try to quantify the coverage error," said Michael Planty, an author of the report.

The Guardian

The authors did not quantify what cap should be imposed on caffeine levels but stated that it should be evidence based.

The Guardian

It is not easy to even begin to quantify what constitutes just reparations for horrors such as slavery in America, apartheid in South Africa and the Nazi Holocaust in Europe; yet that is the ethical question raised when the past pushes its way, uncomfortably, into the present.

The Guardian - Opinion

To give Mattel its due, it would be difficult to quantify the positive effects of Barbie – the anecdotes about girls' creativity, about making their dolls have sex, get tattoos, lose their hair in Hoover accidents.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Public sentiment is hard to quantify in Egypt.

The Guardian

In the US, where some efforts are at least made to quantify the extent of sexual abuse in prisons, one in 10 incarcerated children report being sexually victimised in the past year.

The Guardian - Opinion

The World Bank and IMF use an array of statistical criteria to quantify poverty.

The Guardian

But public sentiment is hard to quantify in Egypt.

The Guardian

"You can't quantify how great that risk is but that risk is there.

The Guardian

The report does not produce new modelling or quantify the costs associated with structural adjustment or abatement, but it synthesises a body of existing research to highlight the fact that it is becoming cheaper to cut carbon emissions.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "quantify" when you need to express the idea of assigning a numerical value to something, especially when precision is important. For example, "Researchers need to quantify the impact of the new policy to assess its effectiveness".

Common error

Don't use "quantify" if you are dealing with subjective or qualitative aspects that cannot be expressed numerically. Instead, use terms like "describe", "assess", or "evaluate". For example, it's better to "describe" the emotional impact rather than trying to "quantify" it.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "quantify" is that of a transitive verb, requiring a direct object to complete its meaning. It denotes the action of assigning a numerical value or amount to something, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "quantify" is a versatile transitive verb that precisely expresses assigning a numerical value or amount to something. Ludwig shows that it is grammatically correct and very common, particularly in News & Media contexts, but is suitable for formal and scientific writing as well. When using "quantify", ensure you are referring to something that can actually be measured numerically. Alternatives like "measure", "assess", and "evaluate" can be used when numerical precision isn't possible. As Ludwig AI confirms, the word "quantify" is appropriate in written English and helps to turn observations into objective and comparable data.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

measure

Focuses on the process of determining size, amount, or degree by using an instrument or device.

assess

Emphasizes evaluating the nature, ability, or quality of something.

evaluate

Highlights the determination of the significance, worth, or condition of something, usually through careful appraisal.

calculate

Centers on determining a numerical value or amount through mathematical processes.

determine

Focuses on definitively finding out or establishing something, often after inquiry or calculation.

compute

Implies using a computer or calculator to find a numerical result.

ascertain

Highlights the discovery of something with certainty, often through investigation.

estimate

Involves approximating a value or quantity, typically when precise measurement is not possible.

gauge

Implies assessing or estimating something based on available information or impressions.

appraise

Focuses on evaluating the worth, significance, or status of something, especially in a formal setting.

FAQs

How do you use "quantify" in a sentence?

You use "quantify" to express the act of measuring or determining the amount or number of something. For instance, "The study aims to "quantify" the impact of exercise on mental health."

What's the difference between "quantify" and "measure"?

"Quantify" specifically implies assigning a numerical value, while "measure" is a more general term for finding the size, amount, or degree of something. You might "measure" the length of a table, but you'd "quantify" the data from an experiment.

Which is correct, "quantify" or "qualify"?

"Quantify" refers to assigning a numerical value, while "qualify" means to describe by stating qualities or characteristics. For example, you "qualify" a statement, but "quantify" data.

What can I say instead of "quantify"?

Alternatives for "quantify" include "measure", "assess", or "evaluate", depending on the context in which you're using the word.