Meaning & use
critiques
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“critiques” is a form of “critique”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nouncountable
Written or spoken judgments that examine the good and bad points of something, especially creative or intellectual work.
Grammar: Countable noun; use 'a critique of' or 'critiques of' when naming what is examined.
Patterns
- critiques of something
- a critique of something
The journal published two critiques of the new policy.
Her critiques of modern art are widely respected.
He wrote several critiques of the government's economic plan.
verbtransitive
Examines and judges something carefully, usually pointing out its weaknesses as well as its strengths.
Grammar: Takes an object: critiques the design, critiques a novel.
Patterns
- critiques something
- critiques someone for something
The professor critiques student essays every week.
She critiques the company's marketing strategy in her blog.
The report critiques the mayor for ignoring the problem.
Word forms
| base form | critique |
|---|---|
| third person singular | critiques |
| past tense | critiqued |
| past participle | critiqued |
| -ing form | critiquing |
| plural | critiques |
Common combinations
- a critique of
- She wrote a critique of the new education law.
- offer a critique
- The editor offered a detailed critique of my article.
- sharp critique
- His sharp critique of the film upset the director.
- critique a plan
- The committee will critique the plan before voting.
Synonyms and how they differ
- review
- A review is usually a published opinion for the public, while a critique is a more analytical judgment, often academic.
- analysis
- Analysis focuses on breaking something into parts to understand it; a critique also judges value or faults.
- criticism
- Criticism often means negative remarks; a critique can be balanced and constructive.
Opposites
Word family
- critic noun
- A person who judges or analyzes creative work.
- critical adjective
- Involving careful judgment, or expressing disapproval.
- critically adverb
- In a way that shows careful judgment or disapproval.
- critique noun
- A single judgment or analysis of something.
Commonly confused: critiques or critics? critiques or criticisms?
critiques vs critics
Critics are people who judge works; critiques are the judgments themselves. 'The critics praised the play' vs. 'The critiques praised the play' (the latter is wrong).
critiques vs criticisms
Criticisms are usually negative remarks; critiques can be neutral or positive as well.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'critiques' correctly?
Choose one answer.
In option B, 'critiques' is the third-person singular verb meaning 'examines and judges', which fits the sentence. Option An is wrong because 'a' cannot be used with the plural noun 'critiques'. Option C is wrong because 'a famous critiques' should be 'a famous critic'. Option D is less natural because we usually say 'critiques of' rather than 'critiques about'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “critiques”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.