yardstick for comparing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "yardstick for comparing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a standard or measure against which other things are evaluated or assessed. Example: "The new policy serves as a yardstick for comparing the effectiveness of various educational programs."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

And it could serve as a yardstick for comparing the performance of private plans and for testing innovative coverage schemes.

The New York Times

CED is also an appropriate yardstick for comparing products [30] and scenarios [31, 32].

Energy, Sustainability and Society

For example, SUSPECTS require list of genes already known to be involved in the disease under investigation as a yardstick for comparing and ranking 'new' genes.

BMC Genomics

It means that the yardstick for comparing the efficiency of a particular DMU is determined by the group of DMUs included in the study sample.

Global Health Action

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

A discounted cash flow (DCF) model was used to generate economic yardsticks, such as net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR) and payout time for comparing the economic outcomes in those five emerging shale plays.

Petroleum Science

First, it provides a yardstick for tracking and comparing the stage of different RI initiatives.

Globalization and Health

Such wider perspectives would have been impossible if the only yardstick was comparing this year's GCSE results with last year's.

BBC

The perceptual quality metric in (23) is used as a yardstick to compare the perceptual effects of various possible adaptations.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

However, for the time being, ranibizumab will remain the gold-standard treatment for neovascular AMD and DME due to its good long-term efficacy and safety profiles and will be the yardstick for new treatments to compare with.

Clinical interventions in aging

We're all running different races, and to use others as a yardstick for individual success would be as fruitless as comparing how well I can construct an analogy to how fast you can eat hot dogs.

Huffington Post

Nevertheless, it is useful to consider how the raw samples compare, if only to provide an imperfect yardstick for interpreting the empirical analysis reported in Section 4. A key issue in this regard concerns the contribution to the Skill Stream made by the GSM and Employer Sponsored visa categories.

IZA Journal of Migration

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "yardstick for comparing", ensure that the context clearly defines what is being compared and the specific qualities being measured against the "yardstick".

Common error

Avoid using "yardstick for comparing" when a simple comparison is sufficient. A "yardstick" implies a well-defined standard; if the comparison is subjective or lacks a clear measure, a different phrasing might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "yardstick for comparing" functions as a noun phrase acting as an adjective, modifying the implied noun that is being compared. According to Ludwig, this phrase is used when establishing a means of assessing one thing against another.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "yardstick for comparing" is a phrase used to describe a standard or measure utilized to evaluate different items or concepts, as reported by Ludwig. It appears primarily in scientific and news-related contexts, suggesting a neutral register. While grammatically correct, it's relatively rare. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in writing. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines what's being compared. Alternatives such as "benchmark for comparison" or "standard for comparison" may be suitable depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

benchmark for comparison

Replaces "yardstick" with "benchmark", implying a standard of excellence or achievement used for comparison.

standard for comparison

Substitutes "yardstick" with the more general term "standard", indicating a basic level of quality or attainment.

metric for comparing

Replaces "yardstick" with "metric", suggesting a quantitative measure used for comparison.

criterion for comparing

Substitutes "yardstick" with "criterion", implying a principle or standard by which something is judged or decided.

measure for comparison

Uses "measure" instead of "yardstick", indicating a means of assessing or evaluating something relative to others.

basis for comparison

Replaces "yardstick" with "basis", suggesting a fundamental principle or foundation for making comparisons.

point of comparison

Focuses on a specific aspect or element used for comparing different things.

frame of reference for comparing

Implies a broader context or perspective within which comparisons are made.

touchstone for comparison

Substitutes "yardstick" with "touchstone", indicating a test or criterion for determining the quality or genuineness of something by comparison.

gold standard for comparison

Emphasizes the highest standard or best practice used as a benchmark for comparison.

FAQs

How can I use "yardstick for comparing" in a sentence?

You can use "yardstick for comparing" to indicate a standard or measure used to evaluate different items or concepts. For example, "The new regulations serve as a "yardstick for comparing" the environmental impact of various industries."

What phrases are similar to "yardstick for comparing"?

Similar phrases include "benchmark for comparison", "standard for comparison", or "metric for comparing". The best choice depends on the specific context and the level of formality required.

What does "yardstick for comparing" actually mean?

The phrase refers to a defined measure or standard used to assess or evaluate something by comparing it to other things. It implies a structured and objective comparison.

Is there a more formal alternative to "yardstick for comparing"?

Yes, a more formal alternative would be "criterion for comparing" or "frame of reference for comparing", especially in academic or professional settings. These alternatives convey a similar meaning with a higher degree of formality.