rankings

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rankings" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a list or order of items, people, or entities based on a specific criterion, such as performance, popularity, or quality. Example: "The latest rankings of the top universities in the world were published today."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr Robertson leaves the school ranked third in Businessweek's rankings of MBA programmes (and 13th in the Which MBA? rankings), after its reputation had declined slightly under previous leadership.

The Economist

"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

In the world rankings published by QS last week, NTU Singapore was ranked at 39.

The Guardian

"The dynamic nature of this ranking makes it an interesting comparison with our global and regional rankings," said Sowter.

The Guardian

Since 2011, United has piled up a mountain of consumer complaints (according to one report, only Spirit has more per passenger) and has repeatedly tallied some of the worst quality rankings in the nation, trailing even discount airlines like Frontier and AirTran.

The Economist

Multiple conservative groups including the influential Heritage Action came out against the bill and said it would be counted as a "key vote" in their rankings of legislators.

The Guardian

Ben Sowter, head of research at QS, described NTU Singapore's upward rise through the rankings as "nothing short of impressive.

The Guardian

Asian universities take all five top spots in the list of the world's top 50 universities under 50, in the latest QS rankings published today.

The Guardian

The list is organised and published by William Reed Media, which says that the final rankings are derived from the votes of almost 1,000 "influential" people within the restaurant community.

The Guardian

"There is a perception that investors will judge the risk of a project based on where you sit in the rankings.

The Guardian

Wawrinka, seeded No8 here, as he was when he beat the then No1 Rafael Nadal for his first slam title, in Melbourne last year, moves to fourth in the rankings, while the Spaniard drops to 10th, the first time he has been in double digits since April 2005.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "rankings", clearly define the criteria used to determine the order. This ensures transparency and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid blindly accepting "rankings" as definitive measures of quality or success. Always consider the methodology, biases, and limitations of the ranking system.

Linguistic Context

The term "rankings" functions primarily as a noun, often used as a plural noun, denoting a list or order of items, individuals, or entities based on a specific set of criteria. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "rankings" is a common and grammatically correct noun denoting a hierarchical arrangement based on specific criteria. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Predominantly used in news, business, and scientific contexts, understanding "rankings" requires considering the methodology behind them. When writing about "rankings", clarity and critical evaluation are key. Alternatives include "ratings" and "relative standings", each with slightly different nuances. In essence, "rankings" provide a snapshot of relative position but should be interpreted with awareness of their limitations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relative standings

Highlights the comparative position of different entities.

ratings

Refers to a specific evaluation or score assigned, often numerically.

comparative positions

Focuses on the relative placement of items against others.

league tables

Specifically refers to tables showing the relative standing of teams or entities.

classifications

Implies a systematic arrangement into groups or categories.

levels of achievement

Implies tiers based on accomplishing something.

gradings

Focuses on the assignment of grades based on performance or quality.

scales of merit

Focuses on systems that evaluate relative worth.

hierarchies

Emphasizes the ordered arrangement of entities based on power or importance.

pecking orders

Informal term indicating a dominance hierarchy, especially in social contexts.

FAQs

How are "rankings" typically used in a sentence?

"Rankings" are often used to describe the position of something or someone in a list relative to others, as in "The university's "rankings" improved this year."

What are some alternatives to using the word "rankings"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "ratings", "league tables", or "relative standings".

What's the difference between "rankings" and "classifications"?

"Rankings" imply a specific order based on a set of criteria, whereas "classifications" refer to the arrangement of items into groups or categories.

When is it appropriate to use the term "pecking order" instead of "rankings"?

"Pecking order" is a more informal term used to describe a dominance hierarchy, typically in social contexts, while "rankings" are more general and can apply to various domains.