to benchmark

USAGE SUMMARY

"to benchmark" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to compare one item's performance to the standard or measure it against similar items. For example, “We need to benchmark our website’s performance against our competitors to see how we can improve.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"We need to benchmark differently.

The Guardian

The district's partisanship is harder to benchmark.

The New York Times

Android handset CPUs used to benchmark ahead of Apple's iPhones.

The Guardian - Tech

It's important for governments to be able to benchmark how they're doing.

The Guardian

As a result, we opt to downgrade UK equities to benchmark [from overweight].

The Guardian - Business

Nymex is home to benchmark futures contracts for crude oil, natural gas, gasoline and heating oil.

The New York Times

Institutions set their own targets, but are asked to benchmark themselves against their competitors.

The Guardian

"So we allow an employer, or higher education admissions officer, to benchmark applicants against one another.

The Guardian

Other businesses will now be seeking to benchmark themselves against this plan".

The Guardian

Property companies fell back as Credit Suisse downgraded the sector from overweight to benchmark.

The Guardian - Business

It is, in short, an invitation to benchmark against other employers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to benchmark" when you want to compare your business against competitors in order to identify potential areas for improvement.

Common error

Avoid using "to benchmark" as a generic term for 'measuring' without a comparative element. Benchmarking inherently involves comparing against a specific standard or another entity; simply measuring performance in isolation is not benchmarking.

Linguistic Context

The infinitive phrase "to benchmark" primarily functions as a verb phrase. It indicates an action of comparison and evaluation, often involving setting a standard against which to measure performance. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, from business strategy to scientific analysis. The action always implies a comparison against something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the infinitive phrase "to benchmark" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that means to evaluate or check something by comparing it with a standard or another similar item. According to Ludwig, its usage is considered correct and appropriate for written English. It is used across various professional, formal, and scientific contexts, particularly in business, science, and technology. When you use "to benchmark", be sure that you clearly define the criteria and standards for evaluation. Alternative phrases include "to evaluate against a standard", "to measure against a reference point", or "to compare with a baseline".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to evaluate against a standard

Replaces "benchmark" with a more general term for assessment, maintaining the core concept of comparison to a defined level of quality or performance.

to measure against a reference point

Focuses on the act of measurement, emphasizing the use of a specific 'reference point' for comparison.

to compare with a baseline

Uses "baseline" instead of "benchmark", highlighting the initial or standard level against which improvements or changes are measured.

to assess relative to a criterion

Replaces "benchmark" with the broader term "criterion", indicating a specific standard or principle used for evaluation.

to gauge against expectations

Shifts the focus to comparing actual results or performance with pre-defined expectations or targets.

to put to the test

Is an idiomatic alternative suggesting a more active evaluation or trial, but has a less strict equivalence.

to check against specifications

Emphasizes comparing something against detailed requirements or specifications, suitable in technical or engineering contexts.

to use as a yardstick

Replaces "benchmark" with the metaphor "yardstick", implying a standard measure or criterion used for evaluation.

to standardize

Refers to the process of setting up a standard, rather than comparing against it. It represents a different kind of action.

to calibrate

Involves adjusting or aligning something to a standard, often used in the context of instruments or processes to ensure accuracy.

FAQs

How can I use "to benchmark" in a sentence?

You can use "to benchmark" to describe the process of comparing something against a standard. For instance, "We need "to benchmark" our performance against industry best practices."

What does "to benchmark" mean?

"To benchmark" means to evaluate or check something by comparing it with a standard or another similar item, typically to improve performance.

What are some alternatives to "to benchmark"?

Alternatives include "to evaluate against a standard", "to measure against a reference point", or "to compare with a baseline", each emphasizing different aspects of the comparison process.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "to benchmark"?

It's appropriate to use "to benchmark" in contexts where you're discussing performance evaluation, quality control, or strategic planning, especially when comparing your results with those of competitors or industry standards. It is used in business, science, and technology.