rank

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "rank" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the order or position of something relative to other things, especially when it is arranged in a series of levels. For example, "This year's graduates are ranked according to their academic achievements."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

"In terms of European cities, Stockholm does not rank very highly in any of the rankings we used to select our cities (top cities for shopping, for business, cheapest cities, etc).

The Guardian

On the face of it this does not have a lot to do with the specialised mechanical discipline that is fast bowling, or indeed the career of Steven Finn, England's own talented, statistically prodigious man-of-the-moment-before-last, whose falling away from the front rank is one of the more puzzling base notes of a generally puzzling tour of Australia.

The Guardian - Sport

Not surprisingly, wheeled motor sports also rank highly for severity of injuries, second to roller sports in the high threat to life category.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Have more than one site: Alongside their flagship blog, serious bloggers usually have a number of 'static' sites, which need few updates and are designed to rank highly in search engines and bring in more advertising opportunities.

The Guardian - Travel

He retired a four-star general – the highest nominal rank in the US army – and was unanimously confirmed as CIA director in October 2011.

The Guardian

To that list, should United lose at Crystal Palace on Saturday, will come another first – their first four-match league losing streak since February 1979 – an outcome not beyond the realms of possibility given the rank profligacy of their strike force against Albion.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

The 62-page rank-'em-and-spank-'em study, Waste and Opportunity 2015, was published Thursday by advocacy nonprofits As You Sow and the Natural Resources Defense Council.

The Guardian

But Ukip's "little guy" rank-and-file is not always quite so on-message.

The Guardian

While it may be tempting to attribute this to the notion that the Democratic party machine and rank-and-file are simply more open and accepting of women in top leadership roles, the real answer is more complex.

The Guardian - Opinion

As the poor get hit with an eight euro a week cut in social welfare, as the rank-and-file public and private sector continue to live with pay cuts and lay-offs, the bonus culture in the minister's own back yard continues unchecked.

The Guardian - Business

Unlimited political cash would give rank-and-file conservative activists greater sway in picking their representatives, including the president, White House hopeful Ted Cruz told New Hampshire voters on Sunday.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "rank" to describe a position in a hierarchy, ensure clarity by specifying the criteria used for ranking.

Common error

Avoid using "rank" without clearly stating the basis for the ranking. For example, instead of saying "the school is highly ranked", specify "the school is highly ranked based on standardized test scores."

Linguistic Context

Rank functions primarily as a verb or noun. As a verb, it signifies assigning a position in an order, as noted in Ludwig's analysis. As a noun, it refers to a position within a hierarchy or list. Examples in Ludwig demonstrate both usages in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "rank" is a versatile word used to assign or describe a position within a hierarchy or ordered list. As Ludwig AI explains, it functions as both a verb and a noun, with usage spanning formal and informal contexts. Common in news and business, as highlighted by Ludwig's analysis, the term is generally considered grammatically correct. When using "rank", ensure clarity by specifying the criteria used for the ranking to avoid vagueness. Alternative words like "position", "grade", and "level" can be used depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

position

This term refers to the place or standing of someone or something in relation to others.

grade

This term indicates a specific level of quality or achievement.

classify

This term means to assign something to a particular category or group.

categorize

This term means to put people or things into groups with particular features.

rate

This term implies assigning a value or score based on a specific scale.

evaluate

This term means to assess the quality or value of something.

assess

This term means to estimate the nature, quality, or ability of something.

level

This term refers to a relative position or degree of quality.

standing

This term indicates a person's status or reputation within a group or society.

degree

This term signifies a stage or point in a scale of quantity or quality.

FAQs

How can I use "rank" in a sentence?

You can use "rank" to describe the position of something in an ordered list, such as "The company ranks among the top 10 in the industry", or to express an opinion, such as "That movie ranks as one of the worst I've ever seen".

What is a synonym for "rank"?

Synonyms for "rank" include "position", "grade", and "level", depending on the specific context in which you're using the word.

What does it mean to "rank" something?

To "rank" something means to assign it a place within a scale or hierarchy, often based on certain criteria or characteristics.

How does "rank" differ from "order"?

"Order" generally refers to the sequence or arrangement of items, while "rank" specifically implies a hierarchical or graded arrangement based on value or importance.