marking: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to formal
Quick answer
What does “marking” mean?
The act of making a visible sign, symbol, or line.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act of making a visible sign, symbol, or line; or a system of such signs used for identification, grading, or distinction.
Can refer to the natural patterns on an animal or plant, the act of assigning a score or grade to academic work, the process of applying symbols to indicate something, or the action of closely watching and following an opponent in sports.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In UK English, 'marking' is the standard term for evaluating/grading student work. In US English, 'grading' is more common for this context, though 'marking' is still understood.
Connotations
In both varieties, 'marking' can imply a more temporary or physical act (like making a line) compared to the more final and evaluative 'grading'.
Frequency
"Marking" is significantly more frequent in UK English due to its central role in the education system.
Grammar
How to Use “marking” in a Sentence
[marking] of [noun][adjective] marking[noun] marking [noun]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “marking” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She is marking the essays tonight.
- The dog is marking its territory.
American English
- He is marking the items for shipment.
- The player is marking his opponent closely.
adjective
British English
- The marking pen ran out of ink.
- We followed the marking tape through the forest.
American English
- She used a marking tool on the fabric.
- The marking period ends next Friday.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to labeling products, marking inventory, or marking prices.
Academic
The process of assigning scores or grades to student assignments and exams.
Everyday
Refers to lines on a road, patterns on animals, or making a simple visible sign.
Technical
Specific systems for identification in manufacturing, livestock, or cartography.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “marking”
Neutral
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “marking”
- Using 'marking' as a direct synonym for 'grade' (a 'mark' is a grade, 'marking' is the process).
- Confusing 'marking' (noun) with 'marking' (present participle of the verb).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While a very common use is in education (grading work), it is widely used in many fields: biology (animal markings), transport (road markings), manufacturing (product marking), and sports (player marking).
They are often synonyms in an educational context. However, 'grading' can imply the final assignment of a letter or number category (A, B, 85%), while 'marking' can refer more to the process of checking and annotating the work, often with specific corrections and comments.
Yes, but it is the present participle or gerund of the verb 'to mark' (e.g., 'She is marking papers'). The dictionary entry for 'marking' is primarily for its use as a noun.
It's a specific interval of the academic term (e.g., 6 or 9 weeks) at the end of which official grades ('marks') are recorded and report cards are issued.
The act of making a visible sign, symbol, or line.
Marking is usually neutral to formal in register.
Marking: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɑːkɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɑːrkɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “leave one's mark”
- “wide of the mark”
- “up to the mark”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a teacher with a red pen MARKING essays – making visible signs (marks) to indicate right/wrong.
Conceptual Metaphor
VISIBILITY IS IDENTIFICATION (making something visible allows it to be categorized or evaluated).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'marking' LEAST likely be used?