set a new standard

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "set a new standard" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to establishing a benchmark or level of quality that is considered superior or exemplary. Example: "The innovative design of the smartphone has set a new standard in the industry for user experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The guidelines set a new standard for New York.

The New York Times

She set a new standard.

The Guardian - Film

You've set a new standard.

The Guardian - Film

"She seems to have set a new standard of disinterest.

The Guardian

Congratulations, you've set a new standard in energy savviness.

The Guardian

But the Maloof Cup course set a new standard.

The New York Times - Sports

Further, the low cost of natural gas has set a new standard for the energy sector.

Harvard University

In electrical engineering, faculty and alumni set a new standard for industrial impact.

Columbia University

In 1952, a performance of Brahms Ein Deutsches Requiemm set a new standard of excellence.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Its F9F-2 Panther set a new standard for carrier-based fighter plane performance and reliability.

The New York Times

In an era of boundless offense, it set a new standard.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "set a new standard", ensure the context clearly defines what aspect is being improved and why the new standard is significant. Specificity enhances the impact.

Common error

Avoid using "set a new standard" when the improvement is incremental or superficial. Reserve it for truly transformative changes that significantly impact the field or area.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "set a new standard" functions as a verb phrase that signifies the establishment of a new benchmark or level of quality. It describes the action of creating a novel criterion against which future achievements or performances will be measured. Ludwig examples show its wide applicability across diverse fields.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Academia

27%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "set a new standard" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression that signifies the establishment of a new benchmark or level of quality. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. Analysis of Ludwig examples reveals its frequent use in News & Media, Academia, and Science, with a primarily neutral to professional register. When employing this phrase, specificity is key to highlighting the significance of the improvement. Alternatives like "establish a new benchmark" and "raise the bar" offer nuanced ways to express similar concepts, and care should be taken to reserve "set a new standard" for genuinely transformative changes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

establish a new benchmark

Replaces "set" with "establish" and "standard" with "benchmark", emphasizing the creation of a new point of reference.

raise the bar

This idiomatic expression suggests increasing the level of expectation or achievement.

define a new paradigm

Substitutes "standard" with "paradigm", highlighting a fundamental shift in thinking or approach.

pioneer a new level

Emphasizes the innovative and leading nature of achieving a higher level of quality or performance.

introduce a higher caliber

Implies the introduction of a superior degree of quality or competence.

break new ground

Focuses on innovation and achieving something that has not been done before, implying a new standard.

revolutionize existing practices

Focuses on completely changing and improving established methods or processes.

forge a cutting-edge norm

Highlights the creation of an advanced and innovative standard of behavior or performance.

institute a new measure

Highlights the act of formally introducing a new criterion or gauge for evaluation.

originate a novel metric

Stresses the creation of an entirely new system for assessing performance or quality.

FAQs

How can I use "set a new standard" in a sentence?

Use "set a new standard" to describe an achievement or innovation that establishes a new benchmark for quality or performance. For example, "This technology has "set a new standard" in energy efficiency".

What are some alternatives to "set a new standard"?

You can use alternatives such as "establish a new benchmark", "raise the bar", or "define a new paradigm" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "set a new standard" or "raise the standard"?

While both phrases are similar, "set a new standard" often implies creating a standard where none existed before, whereas "raise the standard" suggests improving an existing one.

What does it mean to "set a new standard" in business?

In a business context, to "set a new standard" means to implement practices or innovations that significantly improve performance, customer satisfaction, or operational efficiency, thereby becoming a model for others in the industry.