to gauge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to gauge" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to estimate or measure something, or when you want to assess the level of something or someone. For example: We used a survey to gauge customer satisfaction.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

"It's hard to gauge.

The Guardian - Film

Hard to gauge.

The New York Times

Humor is hard to gauge, of course.

The New York Times

For Nova, confidence is tricky to gauge.

The New York Times - Sports

Precise numbers are difficult to gauge.

The New York Times

Want to gauge your vertical drop stamina?

The New York Times - Travel

It is hard to gauge prices accurately.

The New York Times

It was hard to gauge their enthusiasm.

The New Yorker

Fish: inspect the eye to gauge freshness.

The Guardian - Books

But it's hard to gauge the mood.

The New York Times

Labour support is hard to gauge.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to gauge" when you want to emphasize the process of carefully measuring or assessing something, especially when precision is important but not always achievable.

Common error

While "to gauge" is a versatile phrase, avoid using it excessively in very informal settings where simpler alternatives like "to see" or "to check" might be more appropriate. Using simpler words will feel more natural to the conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to gauge" functions as an infinitive verb phrase, often used to express the action of measuring, assessing, or estimating something, usually in a careful or systematic way. Ludwig AI validates that is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

2%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to gauge" is a versatile infinitive verb phrase used for assessing, measuring, or estimating something, often with an emphasis on carefulness and systematicity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for a variety of contexts, although it is most frequently encountered in news and media sources. When considering alternatives, "to assess", "to evaluate", and "to measure" are good substitutes depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Avoid overuse in extremely informal settings where simpler words may be preferred.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to assess

Focuses more on evaluating the quality or importance of something.

to evaluate

Similar to assess, but implies a more formal and systematic appraisal.

to measure

Emphasizes quantifying something using a standard unit.

to estimate

Suggests an approximate calculation or judgment.

to determine

Implies finding something out definitively, often through investigation.

to ascertain

More formal way of saying to find something out for certain.

to judge

Focuses on forming an opinion or conclusion about something.

to weigh up

Implies carefully considering different factors before making a decision.

to take stock of

Suggests reviewing a situation or one's position.

to get a sense of

Implies forming a general impression or understanding.

FAQs

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

The phrase "to gauge" is used to estimate or determine the amount, level, or volume of something. For example, "Analysts use such data "to gauge" future sales" or "It is hard "to gauge" prices accurately".

What are some alternatives to "to gauge"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "to assess", "to evaluate", "to measure", or "to estimate".

Is it always necessary to use "to gauge" when measuring something?

No, while "to gauge" is appropriate for measuring or assessing, it's not always necessary. Simpler verbs like "to measure" or "to estimate" can often be used effectively, especially in informal contexts.

Which is correct, "to gauge" or "gauge"?

"Gauge" can be a noun or a verb. "To gauge" is the infinitive form of the verb. Using "to" indicates purpose or intention, as in "The newspapers have been polling the public "to gauge" confidence".