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Preposition after verb

Measure by vs measure in

Measure by refers to standards or methods of evaluation. Measure in refers to units or dimensions.

Quick answer

When do we use measure by or measure in?

Use measure by when judging or evaluating according to a standard. Use measure in when stating units, dimensions, or quantities.

Success should not be measured by money alone.
The fabric is measured in metres.
Temperature is measured in degrees Celsius.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
measure by + standard

Evaluate according to a criterion

Measure by introduces the standard used for judgment or comparison.

Teachers should not measure students by test scores alone.
The company measures success by customer satisfaction.
2
measure in + units

State units or quantities

Measure in refers to the units used for measurement.

Rainfall is measured in millimetres.
Energy is measured in joules.
3
measure + object

Find size or amount

Measure can also take a direct object without a following preposition.

Please measure the table before buying chairs.
The nurse measured his blood pressure.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
measure by
We measure progress by results.
judge according to a standard
measure in
Distance is measured in kilometres.
express using units
measure against
The product was measured against safety rules.
compare with a benchmark
measure up to
The sequel did not measure up to expectations.
reach a required standard

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using measure by for units

Use measure in when referring to units such as litres or metres.

✕ The liquid is measured by litres. ✓ The liquid is measured in litres.

Using measure in for standards

Use measure by when discussing evaluation criteria.

✕ They measure performance in productivity. ✓ They measure performance by productivity.

Forgetting the object after measure by

Measure by normally needs a standard or criterion.

✕ Success is measured by. ✓ Success is measured by long-term impact.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. Speed is measured ___ kilometres per hour.
2. The manager measures employees ___ reliability.
3. Scientists measure temperature ___ degrees Celsius.

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Frequently asked questions

Can measure by refer to physical measurement?

Usually measure by refers to standards or methods of evaluation, not physical units.

What preposition is used for units after measure?

Use in with units such as inches, litres, or seconds.

Can measure be used without a preposition?

Yes. You can directly measure an object, distance, or quantity.

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