What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
benchmark
Example
The company set a benchmark for customer satisfaction by achieving a 95% approval rating. [benchmark: noun]
Example
We need to benchmark our sales performance against industry leaders to identify areas for improvement. [benchmark: verb]
yardstick
Example
The yardstick showed that the table was exactly 2 meters long. [yardstick: noun]
Example
We can use customer feedback as a yardstick to gauge the quality of our products. [yardstick: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Yardstick is more commonly used than benchmark in everyday language. Yardstick is a familiar term that people use to describe a physical measuring tool. On the other hand, benchmark is more commonly used in business or professional contexts to describe standards or levels of achievement.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between benchmark and yardstick?
While yardstick is generally considered informal, benchmark is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Benchmark is commonly used in professional settings and discussions.
