what would count as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what would count as" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing criteria or standards for determining something's classification or significance. Example: "In this context, we need to clarify what would count as acceptable evidence for our research."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Until then, Luck is not even sure what would count as a successful rookie season for him.

The New York Times - Sports

Conservative strategists refuse to say what would count as success but they must hit 40% of vote share in England.

The Guardian

"What would count as freakish would be to find two dozen registered Republicans on a big law faculty," Mr. Olson said.

The New York Times

Further, it must be possible, if the hypothesis is genuinely scientific, to specify in advance what would count as unfavourable evidence; the circumstances in which the hypothesis needs to be abandoned, or at least modified, must be indicated precisely.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They involve values that are deeply contested: when life begins, whether liberty is more important than equality, how racial integration is best achieved (and what would count as genuine integration).

The New Yorker

This is why we need to take hold of such innovations and, through our use of them, question what we consider to be beautiful, or what would count as an enhancement to humanity.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

(For further development of Dummett's ideas on thoughts as types, see Dodd (2000).) What would count, though, as a troubling Platonism about propositions?

SEP

Robert Adams has what would count in Hart's terminology as a revelation-based picture of morality, proposing a very subtle version of the 'divine command' theory of morality.

SEP

What would count for writers like Lerner and Zapruder as a meaningful poem, or a poem that made a difference?

The New Yorker

Walking around the display now, I wondered what, exactly, would count as "otherness" today.

Independent

It is a difficult question what precisely would count as the discovery of the will.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what would count as" to clearly define the criteria for a specific outcome or designation. For example, "In this research, clarify "what would count as" a successful intervention".

Common error

While generally acceptable, avoid using "what would count as" in extremely casual conversations. Simpler phrases like "what is" or "what's considered" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what would count as" functions as a conditional interrogative, prompting a definition or clarification of criteria. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct. The structure sets up a hypothetical scenario where something is being evaluated against certain standards.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "what would count as" serves as a conditional interrogative used to establish the criteria or standards for something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly employed across various domains, including news, science, and encyclopedias. While versatile, it is best suited for neutral to formal settings, emphasizing the need for clarity and defined conditions. Bear in mind, while similar alternatives such as "what would qualify as" or "what would be considered as" exist, nuanced differences can occur, such as the level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what would qualify as

Replaces "count as" with "qualify as", focusing on meeting the necessary requirements.

what would be considered as

Adds "be considered" to emphasize a subjective assessment.

what would be deemed as

Uses "deemed" for a more formal or authoritative judgment.

what would be regarded as

Employs "regarded" to highlight a general opinion or view.

what would pass for

Suggests a minimal standard or barely acceptable level.

what could be classified as

Focuses on categorization or labeling based on certain criteria.

what might be accepted as

Introduces a degree of uncertainty or potential disagreement.

what could be interpreted as

Highlights the possibility of different understandings or perspectives.

what would amount to

Focuses on the end result or overall effect of something.

what meets the criteria for

Directly addresses the standards that need to be satisfied.

FAQs

How do I use "what would count as" in a sentence?

Use "what would count as" to introduce a set of criteria or standards that must be met for something to be considered a specific thing or to achieve a particular outcome. For example, "We need to define "what would count as" a significant improvement in patient outcomes".

What can I say instead of "what would count as"?

You can use alternatives like "what would qualify as", "what would be considered as", or "what would be deemed as" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "what would count as" or "what counts as"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "What counts as" generally refers to current or established criteria, while "what would count as" refers to hypothetical or future criteria. The best choice depends on the context.

What's the difference between "what would count as" and "what qualifies as"?

While similar, "what qualifies as" often implies a more formal or official standard than "what would count as". The latter can be used in more informal settings or when the criteria are less strictly defined.