criterion

criterion
criterion
meaning ‘a principle or standard by which something is judged’, has a plural criteria. This plural form is often taken to be singular, a use that is not standard:

• A report…will tell councillors that the bidding criteria has significantly changed since the previous bid —Rochdale Observer, 2002.

The following examples illustrate correct uses of the singular and plural:

• The Ottoman Empire…was a multi-national state,…the criterion of differentiation among its subjects was religion and not nationality —A. Mango, 1971

• Some possible criteria for this area of work are listed below —J. Thorpe, 1989

• Thus stated, Hume's criterion is quite vague —J. Losee, 2001.

In order to render criteria effectively singular, a collective such as set can be used:

• However, we may wish to use a different set of criteria —A. Lawton et al., 1991

• The study's findings would be measured against a group of criteria —Lloyd's List, 1994.


Modern English usage. 2014.

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Synonyms:

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Criterion — may refer to: Criterion, general meaning In science and mathematics: Criterion validity, in psychometrics, a measure of how well one variable or set of variables predicts an outcome Criterion referenced test, translates a test score into a… …   Wikipedia

  • Criterion — Cri*te ri*on (kr? t? r? ?n), n.; pl. {Criteria} ( ?), sometimes {Criterions} ( ?nz). [Gr. ????? a means for judging, fr. ???? decider, judge, fr. ????? to separate. See {Certain}.] A standard of judging; any approved or established rule or test,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • criterion — UK US /kraɪˈtɪəriən/ noun [C] (plural criteria) ► a standard by which you judge, decide about, or deal with something: »Pay is a very important criterion for job satisfaction. »When employing new staff, you need to be very clear about your… …   Financial and business terms

  • criterion — ► NOUN (pl. criteria) ▪ a principle or standard by which something may be judged or decided. DERIVATIVES criterial adjective. USAGE The singular form is criterion and the plural form is criteria. Do not use criteria as if it were a singular, as… …   English terms dictionary

  • criterion — I noun barometer, basis, code, custom, design, discipline, example, exemplar, form, formula, foundation, frame of reference, gauge, ground rules, guide, ideal, law, measure, model, norm, obrussa, pattern, point of comparison, precedent,… …   Law dictionary

  • criterion — 1660s, from Latinized form of Gk. kriterion means for judging, standard, from krites judge, from PIE root *krei (see CRISIS (Cf. crisis)). Used in English as a Greek word from 1610s …   Etymology dictionary

  • criterion — *standard, touchstone, yardstick, gauge Analogous words: test, proof, trial, demonstration (see under PROVE): *principle, axiom, law: judging or judgment, adjudgment, adjudication (see corresponding verbs at JUDGE) …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • criterion — [n] test, gauge for judgment archetype, basis, benchmark, canon, example, exemplar, fact, foundation, law, measure, model, norm, opinion, original, paradigm, pattern, point of comparison, precedent, principle, proof, prototype, rule, scale,… …   New thesaurus

  • criterion — [krī tir′ē ən] n. pl. criteria [krī tir′ē ə] or criterions [< Gr kritērion, means of judging < kritēs, judge; akin to kritikos: see CRITIC] a standard, rule, or test by which something can be judged; measure of value SYN. STANDARD …   English World dictionary

  • criterion */*/*/ — UK [kraɪˈtɪərɪən] / US [kraɪˈtɪrɪən] noun [countable, usually plural] Word forms criterion : singular criterion plural criteria UK [kraɪˈtɪərɪə] / US [kraɪˈtɪrɪə] Get it right: criterion: The plural form of criterion is criteria: Decisions on… …   English dictionary

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