ranked by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ranked by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the criteria or method used to order or classify items, people, or data based on specific attributes or metrics. Example: "The students were ranked by their overall academic performance at the end of the semester."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Today, the list of the largest companies ranked by employees diverges sharply from other rankings.

Forbes

The average at schools ranked by The Economist was 25%.

The Economist

Stories aren't only sorted by category; they're ranked by popularity.

The New Yorker

These are the top 10 cities ranked by job losses.

The New York Times

Ranked by turnover, 18 of the top 100 European companies are retailers.

The Economist

They howled when the Conservatives introduced "league tables" which showed schools ranked by exam results.

The Economist

Guinea is ranked by the UN as one of the poorest countries in the world.

The Economist

THIS week's issue of The Economist includes a table of football clubs ranked by revenue.

The Economist

Ranked by the total value of deals, last year's five leading advisors included the usual suspects.

The Economist

Not a single French university makes it into the world's top 40, as ranked by Shanghai's Jiao Tong University.

The Economist

Of the 50 most valuable teams ranked by Forbes, 41 are American, including all 32 NFL teams.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ranked by", ensure the criteria for ranking are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify if something is "ranked by" revenue, size, or another metric.

Common error

Avoid using "ranked by" without specifying the basis for the ranking. For example, instead of saying "the best universities are ranked", specify "the best universities are ranked by academic reputation".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ranked by" functions as a passive verb construction, indicating that something is being ordered or classified according to a specific criterion. Ludwig's examples show its use in diverse contexts, from ranking companies by revenue to ranking universities by academic results. It highlights the attribute used for the ranking process.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ranked by" is a widely used and grammatically sound construction that indicates a specific order or classification based on a defined criterion. As evidenced by Ludwig's extensive examples, it appears most frequently in news and business contexts, where clear and transparent communication is essential. The phrase's purpose is to provide context about the method used for ranking, thus informing the audience and enhancing the credibility of the information. While the phrase maintains a neutral register suitable for various writing styles, it is crucial to specify the ranking criteria to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "ordered according to" or "sorted by" can be used to diversify language while maintaining semantic accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sorted by

Specifies the criteria by which items are arranged into a particular order.

ordered according to

Indicates a sequence or arrangement established based on a particular criterion.

arranged by

Denotes a purposeful placement or ordering, frequently physical.

classified based on

Indicates categorization using a defined set of attributes or characteristics.

categorized under

Focuses on placing items into distinct groups based on shared traits.

graded by

Suggests evaluation and assignment of a level or score based on specific performance or qualities.

rated in terms of

Highlights a scaled evaluation, typically quantitative or qualitative.

assessed according to

Implies a formal evaluation using established standards or criteria.

prioritized according to

Indicates the assignment of importance or urgency based on criteria.

evaluated against

Highlights a comparative analysis with a set benchmark or expectation.

FAQs

How to use "ranked by" in a sentence?

Use "ranked by" to indicate the criterion used to establish a hierarchy or order. For example: "The companies are "ranked by revenue"."

What can I say instead of "ranked by"?

Alternatives include "ordered according to", "sorted by", or "classified based on" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "ranking by" instead of "ranked by"?

While "ranking by" can be used in some contexts, "ranked by" is generally more appropriate when describing an existing or established order. "Ranking by" might be used to describe the act of ranking itself.

What's the difference between "ranked by" and "assessed by"?

"Ranked by" implies a specific order or hierarchy, whereas "assessed by" suggests an evaluation without necessarily implying a ranking. For example, universities are "ranked by" academic performance but courses are "assessed by" student feedback.