Collocations with STANDARD
- Have you ever wondered whether you should “make” a standard or “set” a standard?
- Do you know the difference between a “gold standard” and an “industry standard”?
- Are you looking for the right adjective to describe someone with very strict expectations?
Mastering Standard Collocations is a vital step toward English fluency. In natural speech, words don’t exist in isolation; they travel in “word partnerships.” Understanding how “standard” functions as both a noun and an adjective will help you reduce language anxiety and sound more professional in business and academic environments.
Essential Collocations using STANDARD as a Noun
When used as a noun, “standard” refers to a level of quality, a rule, or a requirement. We often use specific verbs and adjectives to describe how we interact with these levels.
Verbs Used with Standard
These collocations describe the action taken toward a specific level of quality.
- Set a standard: To establish a level of quality others should follow. (e.g., “The company wants to set a new standard for customer service.”)
- Meet a standard: To reach the necessary level. (e.g., “Does this equipment meet safety standards?”)
- Maintain standards: To keep quality at a high level consistently. (e.g., “It is difficult to maintain high standards during a busy season.”)
- Raise/Lower the standard: To change the level of expectation. (e.g., “The new exam will raise the standard for graduation.”)
- Uphold standards: To defend or support established rules. (e.g., “Teachers must uphold the standards of the school.”)
Adjectives Used with Standard
These words describe the nature or the difficulty of the standard itself.
- High/Exacting standards: Very strict or superior quality levels. (e.g., “She has exacting standards when it comes to her work.”)
- Double standard: A rule applied unfairly to different people. (e.g., “The manager was accused of having a double standard for his favorites.”)
- The Gold standard: The best or most reliable example of something. (e.g., “This textbook is the gold standard for medical students.”)
- Minimum standard: The lowest acceptable level. (e.g., “We must ensure every house meets the minimum standard for insulation.”)
Common Collocations with STANDARD as an Adjective
As an adjective, “standard” describes something that is usual, regular, or widely accepted. It often appears before nouns in professional and technical contexts.
Procedures and Practices
In business and science, “standard” describes how things are normally done.
- Standard procedure: The normal way of doing something. (e.g., “It is standard procedure to check your ID at the gate.”)
- Standard practice: A common habit or method in an industry. (e.g., “Sending a follow-up email is standard practice after an interview.”)
- Standard operating procedure (SOP): A formal set of instructions. (e.g., “Please refer to the standard operating procedure for emergency drills.”)
Products and Communication
These collocations help describe common versions of items or languages.
- Standard English: The form of English used in formal writing and education. (e.g., “The news anchor spoke in standard English.”)
- Standard features: Items included in the basic price of a product. (e.g., “Air conditioning and power windows are standard features in this car.”)
- Standard response: A typical or pre-written answer. (e.g., “He gave a standard response to the difficult question.”)
- Standard model: The basic version of a machine or tool. (e.g., “The standard model is cheaper but has fewer functions.”)
The Master Summary Table
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Set a standard | Verb + Noun | To establish a level of quality. |
| Standard procedure | Adjective + Noun | The normal way to do things. |
| Gold standard | Adjective + Noun | The best example available. |
| Meet the standard | Verb + Noun | To be good enough; to pass. |
| Double standard | Adjective + Noun | Unfairly different rules for people. |
| Standard practice | Adjective + Noun | A common or usual method. |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| Do a standard | Set or Establish a standard |
| Big standards | High or Rigorous standards |
| Normal procedure | Standard procedure (more professional) |
| Arrive at the standard | Reach or Meet the standard |
Contextual Story
“When we launched the new software, our goal was to set a new standard for user experience. While it is standard procedure to run three tests, we decided to raise the standard and run ten. Although our competitors often have a double standard regarding privacy, we aim to be the gold standard for security. This is now standard practice across our entire international team.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Standard Collocations
Which preposition follows “standard”?
Usually, we say a “standard of” something (e.g., “a high standard of living”) or “standard for” something (e.g., “the safety standards for toys”).
Is “standard” the same as “average”?
No. “Average” refers to a mathematical middle, whereas “standard” refers to a required level of quality or a widely accepted norm.
What does “substandard” mean?
“Substandard” is an adjective used to describe something that fails to meet the required level of quality (e.g., “substandard housing”).
Can I say “standardize” as a verb?
Yes. “Standardize” is the verb form meaning to make things the same or to make them follow a standard (e.g., “We need to standardize the recruitment process”).
Why is it called the “Gold Standard”?
This comes from the historical monetary system where the value of currency was directly linked to gold. Today, it metaphorically means the best version of anything.
The distinction between noun and adjective usage is so important. 'A standard procedure' (adj) vs 'The gold standard' (noun) really helps learners see the structure. Thanks for the breakdown!
In my country, we say 'according to the standard.' Is this used in English too?
Yes, Ivan! 'According to [the] standard' is used, though in technical contexts we might say 'in accordance with safety standards' or 'standard-compliant.'
I'm confused about 'standard' vs 'standards' (plural). Does the plural always refer to morals?
We use 'moral standards' a lot in my ethics class. Is it okay to say 'low moral standards' or is that rude?
It's a grammatically correct collocation, Amara! However, it is a very strong criticism of someone's character, so use it carefully depending on the situation.
Very useful for my business English classes. I’ll be using 'industry standard' in my next presentation.
If someone has 'exacting standards,' does that mean they are difficult to please?
Spot on, Olga! 'Exacting standards' means the person requires perfection or very high quality. It’s a more sophisticated way of saying someone is 'very strict' or 'fussy' about quality.
Is 'standardize' a verb we can use in any context? Like 'standardizing my morning routine'?
The article mentions 'living standards.' Is that the same as 'quality of life'?
Does 'up to standard' mean the same thing as 'meet the standard'?
They are very close, Priya! 'Meet the standard' is the action of reaching the goal. 'Up to standard' is an adjective phrase describing something that has already reached that level. For example: 'Your work is up to standard.'
I recently heard someone mention a 'double standard.' This sounds negative, right?
Exactly, Hans. A 'double standard' is when a rule or principle is applied differently to different groups (usually unfairly). It’s a very common phrase in social and political discussions.