Meaning & use
a measure
Last updated
Meanings
phrasecountable
a phrase meaning one action taken to deal with a problem or achieve a goal.
Grammar: Often followed by 'to' plus a verb: 'a measure to reduce waste'.
Patterns
- a measure to do something
- take a measure
- a safety measure
The city introduced a measure to limit traffic downtown.
Wearing masks was a measure to protect public health.
phrasecountable
a phrase meaning one unit or amount used to show size, quantity, or degree.
Grammar: Used with 'of': 'a measure of length'.
Patterns
- a measure of something
- a measure of success
- use a measure
A meter is a measure of length in the metric system.
Profit is only one measure of success.
phrasesingular
a phrase meaning a certain amount or degree of something, often an emotion or quality.
Grammar: Usually in 'a measure of' plus an uncountable noun.
Patterns
- a measure of comfort
- a measure of control
- a measure of respect
The apology gave her a measure of comfort.
He finally gained a measure of control over his schedule.
Word forms
| plural | measures |
|---|
Common combinations
- take measures
- The school took measures to improve safety.
- safety measure
- Locking the door is a simple safety measure.
- a measure of success
- Test scores are not the only measure of success.
- emergency measure
- The government passed an emergency measure during the storm.
Synonyms and how they differ
- step
- Step is often used for one action in a series, like a step in a process; measure sounds more official or policy-related.
- action
- Action is the general word for doing something; a measure is a specific planned action, often by an authority.
- unit
- Unit is the general term for a standard of measurement; measure can mean the standard itself or the act of measuring.
Word family
- measure noun
- the base noun without the article; an action or a unit of size.
- measurement noun
- the act or result of measuring something.
- measurable adjective
- able to be measured.
Commonly confused: a measure or measure?
a measure vs measure
The only difference is the article 'a'. 'A measure' is not a separate word; it is just the noun 'measure' with the indefinite article.
Practice
The new law is ___ to reduce plastic waste.
Choose one answer.
'A measure' fits because the sentence needs a singular countable noun phrase with an article. 'Measure' alone would need a determiner; 'measuring' is a gerund and 'measured' is a verb or adjective, neither of which fits after 'is' here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “a measure”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.