rating
HighNeutral to formal (depends on context); widely used in business, media, and everyday contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A measurement or evaluation of quality, standard, or performance, often expressed as a number or grade.
A classification or ranking based on a comparative assessment; in media, a statistical estimate of the size of a television or radio audience.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word 'rating' inherently implies a comparative scale. It can refer to both the act of assigning a score and the resulting score itself.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. In a sailing context, a 'rating' can refer to a yacht's handicap. The verb 'to rate' has a broader informal British use meaning 'to regard highly' (e.g., 'I really rate that new restaurant').
Connotations
Neutral in both varieties. In the UK, 'ratings' for TV are closely associated with the organisation BARB; in the US, with Nielsen.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
have/get/receive a [adjective] ratinggive/award a [adjective] ratingrating of [number]rating for [something]rating on a scale of [number] to [number]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Off the ratings chart (extremely popular)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to creditworthiness (e.g., 'The company's bond rating was downgraded').
Academic
Used in educational assessment and research metrics (e.g., 'The journal has a high impact rating').
Everyday
Common for reviews and opinions (e.g., 'I checked the film's rating online').
Technical
In engineering for specifications (e.g., 'the power rating of the engine'), and in sailing for handicaps.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The new series is rating highly with audiences.
- I wouldn't rate his chances of winning.
American English
- The show is rating well in the 18-49 demographic.
- Experts rate this model as the most reliable.
adjective
British English
- The rating system is being overhauled.
- We need a rating agency's opinion.
American English
- The rating board gave the movie an R.
- Check the rating plate on the appliance.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The film has a good rating.
- My credit rating is important.
- The hotel received a four-star rating for cleanliness.
- The government's approval rating has fallen.
- Despite critical acclaim, the programme's ratings have been disappointing.
- A downgrade in the country's sovereign rating could increase borrowing costs.
- The bond was issued with an AAA rating, reflecting its negligible risk.
- The new safety protocols have significantly improved the factory's regulatory rating.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'RATE' + '-ING'. You RATE something by giving it a RATING.
Conceptual Metaphor
QUALITY IS A MEASURABLE QUANTITY (e.g., 'high rating', 'low rating').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'рейтинг' when used for simple 'score' or 'grade' (e.g., a test grade). 'Рейтинг' implies a comparative list, while 'rating' can be a standalone score.
- Avoid direct translation of 'rating' as 'оценка' in all contexts, as 'оценка' is broader (encompassing 'estimate', 'appraisal').
Common Mistakes
- Using 'rate' and 'rating' interchangeably ('What is the rate of the hotel?' is incorrect; should be 'rating').
- Using plural 'ratings' for a single evaluation (e.g., 'It has a good ratings' is incorrect).
Practice
Quiz
In a media context, what does 'ratings' most specifically refer to?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is countable. You can have a rating, several ratings, or a high rating.
'Rate' as a noun is a measure of the speed of something or a fixed price (e.g., exchange rate, hourly rate). 'Rating' is an evaluation or classification (e.g., credit rating). As a verb, 'to rate' means to assess or to be worthy of.
No, 'rating' is not a verb form. The verb is 'to rate'. 'Rating' is the present participle or gerund of that verb, or a noun.
It refers to the estimated number of people watching a television programme, used to measure its popularity and set advertising prices.
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