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measure  COLLOCATIONS AND EXAMPLES 

NOUN COUNTABLE UK  /ˈmeʒə(r)/

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1 an action to achieve or deal with something

Adjectives frequently used with measure

• that prevent or protect something: precautionary,

preventative, preventive, protective
The company is withdrawing the drug as a
precautionary measure.
• severe: draconian, drastic, harsh, punitive, severe,
stringent, strong, tough
Drastic measures must be taken to reduce the overall
use of toxic substances.
• temporary: interim, short-term, temporary
It was decided to freeze the Charity’s bank accounts
as a precautionary, interim measure.
• necessary, suitable or effective: appropriate,
effective, necessary
Modern pest control measures are effective, but
cannot be relied upon entirely.
• special or extra: additional, special
The programme will involve special measures to
challenge the gifted and talented students.
• to correct something: corrective, remedial
If you take corrective measures, you can bounce back
from exhaustion in a week or two.
• to save money, energy or water: cost-cutting, cost-
saving, energy-saving, water-saving
In view of the budget deficit, a wide range of cost-
cutting measures was introduced.

Nouns frequently used before measure

• austerity, conservation, efficiency, emergency,

safety, security
The additional security measures, imposed last year,
remain in place.

Verbs frequently used with measure

• introduce or suggest measures: announce, identify,

introduce, outline, recommend
The Chancellor announced measures to boost funds
for health research.
• use measures: adopt, implement, take, undertake
Drastic measures were taken to improve the situation.
• make someone use measures: enforce, impose
We will continue to take, and enforce, national
measures to conserve stocks.
• oppose measures: oppose
We oppose any measures which will further erode the
traditionally superb standards of animal and plant
health.
• include measures: incorporate
Developers will be encouraged to incorporate
measures to enhance biodiversity.

2 an amount that is neither large nor small

Adjectives frequently used with measure

• large or quite large: considerable, large, reasonable,

significant, substantial
Caution and common sense can provide a large
measure of protection for sensitive documents.
• small: limited, small
Such a limited measure of reform is a mere farce.

Nouns frequently used after measure of

• autonomy, certainty, independence, protection,

self-government, success
The National Assembly provides a limited measure of
autonomy for Wales.

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