The question is whether there should be an indefinite article a before measurement or not. In general, "as a something, we use something else" or "as something, we use something else"? This also raises the question that in the case that a should be used, then what happens if something is uncountable. Another example could be "use speed as (a) performance metric of a car" (instead of using acceleration or handling for instance).
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Why not "use a cup to measure"? I'm not sure what you mean by "use a cup as a measurement". A measurement is an amount obtained by measuring something, or the act of measuring (Her measurement of the effect was very precise.) – ColleenV Oct 15 '21 at 19:19
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You're right. I should edit my question to "measurement system". That's what I meant. Another instance can be "use speed as (a) performance metric of a car". – Diamond Oct 15 '21 at 19:25
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Your second example is more grammatical (or at least more idiomatic) than the first, so ignoring the side discussion about cups: yes, an article is required; ‘the’ might be appropriate, if only one metric is in use. – Anton Sherwood Oct 16 '21 at 07:00
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Grammatically you need "a" for the countable noun "system". "The" is also possible.
"Cup" isn't a measurement system. So both phrases are equally non-idiomatic.
You might say "I use 'cups' to measure volume."
James K
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Well, to be very exact, cup itself can be a system. Even if we consider it as only one thing (not to mention the container and the handle), the definition of system is a group of things. Now, the group can be a group of one only, but anyway, the point of my question is the grammar, not the meaning, so, is it the same for speed in the other phrase as well? – Diamond Oct 15 '21 at 21:19
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2I agree with @JamesK: a cup isn't a system, it is a device that can be used in a system. It is fair to say that “using a cup” is a measuring system – djs Oct 15 '21 at 21:57
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