ranking

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "ranking" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the organization or classification of things according to their relative importance, quality, or size. For example, "The university had a high ranking in the national college rankings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

Dominguez Lino, 34, has played in just one WTA Tour main draw this year, but has lifted her ranking up close to the top 100 again by winning a lot of matches at smaller tournaments.

The Guardian - Sport

One Direction's Four was the biggest-selling album by a UK artist in terms of sales of albums, tracks and streams from services such as Spotify, ranking second to Taylor Swift's 1989.

The Guardian

The term was trending in Nigeria through the vote counting, with the names of key states also ranking high as their results were announced.

The Guardian

Burundi is one of Africa's poorest countries, ranking 180 out of 187 states in the 2014 UN human development index and it relies on foreign aid for about half of its national budget.

The Guardian

Top men's hopes: Age: 32 Current singles ranking: 43 Highest singles ranking: 1 Australian Opens played: 17 Best singles performance: final (2005) Performance in 2013: first round Hewitt's Australian Open campaign could go one of two ways – he could be blown away by a stronger player or loosen up and play some inspired tennis as his career draws to a close.

The Guardian - Sport

Top women's hopes: Age: 29 Current singles ranking: 17 Highest singles ranking: 4 Australian Opens played: 11 Best singles performance: fourth round (2006, 2010) Performance in 2013: second round It's well documented Stosur hasn't achieved the same results on home soil that she has abroad.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

"It's like in the NHS, if you suddenly become some horrible middle-ranking-something-or-other, you should go and do a bed bath everyday.

The Guardian

The verdict came after about five hours of deliberation in the case against Suleiman Abu Ghaith, the highest-ranking al-Qaida figure to face trial on US soil since the attacks.

The Guardian

He hopes the British advisers will help to train lower-ranking officers in particular.

The Guardian

The highest-ranking self-published author on the 5 August NYT chart is Colleen Hoover, whose ebook Slammed ("A girl falls in love with a neighbour who enjoys slam poetry, but they encounter obstacles") comes in in eighth place, ahead of ebooks by established bestsellers James Patterson and Karin Slaughter.

The Guardian - Books

The indictment states that "a high-ranking Fifa official caused payments … totalling $10m – to be wired from a Fifa account in Switzerland to a Bank of America correspondent account in New York … controlled by Jack Warner".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about a "ranking", be specific about the criteria used to determine the order. This adds credibility and clarity to your statement.

Common error

Avoid assuming a "ranking" applies universally without specifying its context. A company's "ranking" in customer satisfaction might not reflect its financial stability.

Linguistic Context

The word "ranking" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a position in a scale or list. It can also function as a verb in its gerund form, describing the act of assigning a rank. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ranking" is a versatile term primarily used as a noun to denote position in a scale or list, and occasionally as a verb. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correct and frequent usage across diverse sources. As such, it is often employed to inform or evaluate offering a comparative judgment across multiple contexts. Though generally neutral, its usage becomes more formal in academic or scientific writing. Remember to be specific about the criteria for any "ranking" to enhance clarity and avoid overgeneralizations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ordering

Emphasizes the act of arranging items in a sequence, which is a core component of "ranking".

rating

Implies an assessment or evaluation that leads to a position, differing from the direct act of "ranking".

relative standing

Highlights the position of something in comparison to others, emphasizing a comparative assessment.

grading

Suggests an evaluation based on a defined scale, often used in academic or performance contexts.

positioning

Focuses on where something stands in relation to others, often in a competitive or strategic sense.

classification

Focuses on the act of sorting into categories, rather than the hierarchical placement implied by "ranking".

status

Refers to the level or position achieved, rather than the process of achieving that position through "ranking".

categorization

Similar to classification, but emphasizes a broader grouping without necessarily implying a specific order.

hierarchy

Refers to the system or structure of ranked items, rather than the act of ranking itself.

pecking order

An informal term for a hierarchical social system, especially where dominance is a factor.

FAQs

How can I use "ranking" in a sentence?

You can use "ranking" to describe the position of something in relation to others, such as "The university's "ranking" improved this year" or "The "ranking" of cities by safety is a complex process".

What is the difference between "ranking" and "rating"?

"Ranking" refers to the position in an ordered list, while "rating" is an assessment or score assigned based on specific criteria. A "rating" can influence a "ranking".

What are some alternatives to the word "ranking"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "classification", "position", or "standing".

What factors influence a "ranking"?

The factors depend on what is being ranked, but can include metrics like performance, quality, popularity, or safety. The specific methodology used to calculate the "ranking" is also crucial.