grade inflation

Meanings

1. 1noununcountable

   A situation in which teachers or schools give higher marks than students really deserve, so that the same mark means less than it once did.

   Grammar: Uncountable: say 'grade inflation is rising', not 'a grade inflation'.

   Patterns

   • grade inflation in something
   • cause grade inflation
   • combat grade inflation

   Many professors worry that grade inflation has made an An almost meaningless.

   The report blamed grade inflation for the falling value of university degrees.

   Some schools have introduced tougher marking to fight grade inflation.

2. 2noununcountabletechnical

   A general rise over time in the average marks awarded, especially in a school, college, or exam system.

   Grammar: Uncountable and often used with verbs like 'rise', 'grow', or 'fall'.

   Patterns

   • a rise in grade inflation
   • grade inflation grew
   • measure grade inflation

   Data from the past decade show a steady rise in grade inflation at state universities.

   The committee was asked to measure grade inflation across different departments.

Common combinations

combat grade inflation

The new dean promised to combat grade inflation by reviewing every course's marks.

a rise in grade inflation

Parents were alarmed by a sharp rise in grade inflation at the local high school.

grade inflation at universities

Grade inflation at universities has become a favorite topic for newspaper columnists.

accusations of grade inflation

The department faced accusations of grade inflation after nearly everyone received top marks.

curb grade inflation

Several colleges have tried to curb grade inflation with strict marking guidelines.

Synonyms and how they differ

mark inflation

Used especially in British English for the same idea; 'grade inflation' is more common in American English.

dumbing down

A broader, more critical term for making standards easier, not only about marks.

Opposites

Word family

grade noun

A mark or score given for schoolwork.

inflate verb

To make something larger or higher than it should be.

inflation noun

A general rise in prices or levels; used literally in economics.

inflated adjective

Made to seem larger or better than reality.

Commonly confused: grade inflation or price inflation?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “grade inflation”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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