set a new mark for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "set a new mark for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to establishing a new standard or benchmark in a particular context, such as achievements, records, or performance. Example: "The athlete set a new mark for the fastest marathon time, breaking the previous record by several minutes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

NBC's new fashion reality show, "Fashion Star," also set a new mark for lowest ratings.

The New York Times

The sexual descriptions set a new mark for explicitness in a work of non-pornographic intent.

The New Yorker

Nor was Harvey pushing himself to the hilt last season, when he set a new mark for innings pitched by a hurler in his first year back from Tommy John surgery.

The Guardian - Sport

Botham had stood alone as the nation's most prolific bowler for 23 years, but Anderson is now in position to set a new mark for future generations to follow.

The Guardian - Sport

Anything over 52.957km will set a new mark for the time-frame.

BBC

He first set a new mark for points in one game when he made five goals and three assists in a 9 1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on December 28 , 1944 his eight points broke the previous record of seven held by three players, and stood for 32 years until surpassed in 1976 by Darryl Sittler.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The full color page on which your three film critics present their nominations for the Oscars sets a new mark for obscurity.

The New York Times

set a new mark of 10,052 megawatts, up from Wednesday's record of 9,966.

The New York Times

The spectacle of Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson in what are essentially body-hugging Halloween costumes must have been quite something for those who ventured into one of the 346 Imax screens and, sure enough, the $9.6m haul set a new Imax mark for the month.

The Guardian - Film

The Apple deal set a new highwater mark for the growing tribe of rap moguls who are keen to marry commerce with art and Dr Dre was top of the pile with estimated pre-tax earnings of $620m in 2014, according to the latest Forbes annual Hip Hop Cash Kings list of rap music's richest, released in September.

The Guardian - Business

Ronaldo set a new club mark for individual goals scored in one year (60), and became the first player ever to score against all 19 opposition teams in a single season.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "set a new mark for", ensure you clearly specify what is being measured and in what context the new standard is being established. Providing specific details enhances the impact and clarity of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "set a new mark for" when the achievement is only marginally better or lacks widespread impact. Reserve this phrase for accomplishments that represent a substantial improvement or a significant breakthrough.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "set a new mark for" functions primarily as a verb phrase that indicates the establishment of a new standard, level, or record in a particular domain. As shown in Ludwig's examples, the phrase often describes surpassing previous achievements or setting benchmarks for future performance.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "set a new mark for" is a versatile verb phrase used to indicate the establishment of a new standard or achievement. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts such as News & Media, Wiki and Science. The phrase is generally neutral in register and serves to highlight significant advancements. Related phrases include "establish a new standard for" and "reach a new high for". When employing this phrase, ensure that the context warrants a significant improvement and clearly specifies the metric being measured.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

establish a new standard for

Replaces 'set a new mark' with 'establish a new standard', focusing on creating a new level of expectation.

set a new record for

Substitutes 'mark' with 'record', emphasizing an officially recognized achievement.

reach a new high for

Replaces "set a new mark" with "reach a new high", which emphasizes attainment and exceeding previous levels.

pioneer a new benchmark for

Uses 'pioneer a new benchmark' instead of "set a new mark", indicating innovation and establishing a point of reference.

break new ground in

Replaces "set a new mark for" with "break new ground in", focusing on innovation and unprecedented progress.

redefine the standards of

Changes "set a new mark for" to "redefine the standards of", emphasizing a shift in existing expectations.

raise the bar for

Replaces "set a new mark for" with "raise the bar for", focusing on increasing expectations.

set a precedent for

Changes "set a new mark for" to "set a precedent for", focusing on establishing a pattern for future events.

outstrip the previous achievement in

Uses "outstrip the previous achievement in" instead of "set a new mark for", indicating surpassing previous accomplishments.

surpass all prior performance in

Replaces "set a new mark for" with "surpass all prior performance in", emphasizing exceeding previous results.

FAQs

How can I use "set a new mark for" in a sentence?

The phrase "set a new mark for" is used to indicate establishing a new standard or record. For example, "The company's innovative product "set a new mark for" energy efficiency in the industry".

What's the difference between "set a new mark for" and "set a new standard for"?

While both phrases are similar, "set a new mark for" often refers to quantifiable achievements or records, whereas "set a new standard for" can refer to qualitative improvements or expectations.

What can I say instead of "set a new mark for"?

You can use alternatives such as "establish a new standard for", "set a new record for", or "reach a new high for" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "set a new mark for" in formal writing?

Yes, "set a new mark for" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when discussing achievements, records, or significant improvements. However, ensure that the context warrants such a claim and that the achievement is indeed noteworthy.