proper value: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Academic, Technical, Business
Quick answer
What does “proper value” mean?
The correct, accurate, or appropriate worth or significance of something, especially as determined by established standards, principles, or expert assessment.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The correct, accurate, or appropriate worth or significance of something, especially as determined by established standards, principles, or expert assessment.
Can refer to an ethically or culturally appropriate level of importance, a mathematically correct result, a fair market price, or the intrinsic worth of an object or concept within a specific context.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the term identically. No significant lexical or grammatical differences.
Connotations
In both, it carries connotations of accuracy, legitimacy, and correctness. In British English, it might be slightly more associated with traditional or established valuation.
Frequency
Equally common in both dialects within technical and formal registers.
Grammar
How to Use “proper value” in a Sentence
[determiner] + proper value + [preposition] + [noun] (e.g., the proper value of the asset)[verb] + [determiner] + proper value (e.g., calculate its proper value)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “proper value” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They have yet to properly value the estate for probate.
- We must properly value the contribution of volunteers.
American English
- The firm didn't properly value the startup's intellectual property.
- Society fails to properly value caregiving work.
adverb
British English
- The asset was not properly valued in the accounts.
- The team properly valued historical context.
American English
- The collection was never properly valued for insurance.
- The model doesn't properly value future risks.
adjective
British English
- The surveyor gave a proper valuation of the land.
- It lacks a proper value assessment.
American English
- We need a proper value estimate before proceeding.
- He questioned the report's proper value analysis.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The auditors worked to establish the proper value of the company's intangible assets before the merger.
Academic
The philosopher argued that society often fails to recognise the proper value of artistic labour.
Everyday
It's hard to put a proper value on sentimental items like old family photographs.
Technical
The algorithm failed to converge on the proper value of the parameter, skewing all subsequent results.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “proper value”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “proper value”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “proper value”
- Using 'proper value' to mean 'high value' (it means correct, not necessarily high).
- Omitting the article: 'He determined proper value' (should be 'the proper value' or 'its proper value').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not necessarily. 'Market value' is what something sells for. 'Proper value' implies a correct or intrinsic value, which might differ from a fluctuating market price.
Yes. It is often used for abstract concepts like ideas, principles, or labour, e.g., 'the proper value of education' or 'the proper value of her advice'.
It is an adjective modifying the noun 'value'. It indicates the type or quality of the value (correct, appropriate).
It is more common in formal, technical, business, or academic contexts. In everyday speech, people might say 'what it's really worth' or 'the right price' instead.
The correct, accurate, or appropriate worth or significance of something, especially as determined by established standards, principles, or expert assessment.
Proper value is usually formal, academic, technical, business in register.
Proper value: in British English it is pronounced /ˈprɒp.ə ˈvæl.juː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈprɑː.pɚ ˈvæl.juː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Know the proper value of something”
- “Give someone/thing its proper value”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a PROfessional PROPerty assessor determining the PROPER VALUE of a house - it's the correct, official worth.
Conceptual Metaphor
VALUE IS A TARGET (hitting the proper value), VALUE IS A CORRECT ANSWER (arriving at the proper value).
Practice
Quiz
In a technical report, the phrase 'proper value' most likely refers to: