a better indication

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a better indication" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing different signs or signals to suggest that one is more informative or accurate than another. Example: "The recent survey results provide a better indication of customer satisfaction than the previous year's data."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Furthermore, the additional information from other indicators used in the computation of FCI makes it a better indication of the line integrity.

Journal of Modern Transportation

FCI is a better indication of the line condition than the failure frequency which is the conventional indicator used widely in railway maintenance management.

Journal of Modern Transportation

Certainly a better indication of their potential.

The Guardian - Sport

Curvature is shown to be a better indication of fire induced failure.

Engineering Structures

We'll get a better indication if the weather affords him more than two overs tonight.

The Guardian - Sport

The Hattusa archive also gives us a better indication of what did happen at Kadesh.

The Guardian

The formal debut at the auto show will offer a better indication of customer sentiment.

The New York Times

In the ABS's view it give a better indication of the "underlying" situation.

The Guardian - Business

The next couple of weeks will be a better indication of what will happen".

The New York Times - Sports

Second, it gives me a better indication of where I am.

The Guardian - Sport

His genome sequence, he reasons, might give him a better indication of just what those should be.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a better indication" when you want to emphasize that one piece of information provides a more accurate or reliable understanding compared to another.

Common error

Avoid using "a better indication" without explaining why it is superior. A vague statement lacks persuasive power; specify the advantages of the preferred indicator.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a better indication" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a predicate nominative or object of a preposition. It introduces a subject complement that renames the subject by providing a specific comparative relationship, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

41%

Academia

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a better indication" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to suggest that one sign, signal, or piece of information is more reliable or accurate than another. As Ludwig AI points out, it is correct and usable in various contexts. This phrase is most frequently encountered in News & Media and Science, with a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using "a better indication", it's important to clarify the basis of comparison and the specific advantages of the preferred indicator. Alternatives include "a more reliable sign" or "a clearer signal", depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a more reliable sign

Emphasizes the trustworthiness of the sign or signal.

a clearer signal

Focuses on the ease with which the information can be understood.

a more accurate reflection

Highlights the truthfulness of the representation.

a stronger predictor

Suggests that the item is better at forecasting future outcomes.

a more telling indicator

Implies the indicator reveals significant or insightful information.

a more valid measure

Focuses on the legitimacy and appropriateness of the measurement.

a more indicative measure

Highlights something that serves as a sign or symptom of something else.

a surer sign

Emphasizes the certainty associated with the sign.

a truer gauge

Highlights the accuracy and reliability of the gauge.

a more demonstrative clue

Focuses on the clarity and strength of the clue.

FAQs

How can I use "a better indication" in a sentence?

Use "a better indication" when you want to highlight that one factor or piece of information gives a more reliable or accurate understanding than another. For example, "Field-goal percentage is "a better indication" of defensive strength than points allowed."

What are some alternatives to "a better indication"?

You can use alternatives like "a more reliable sign", "a clearer signal", or "a more accurate reflection" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "a better indication" or "a good indication"?

"A better indication" implies a comparison, suggesting one indicator is superior to another. "A good indication" simply suggests that something is a useful sign, without making a direct comparison.

What's the difference between "a better indication" and "the best indication"?

"A better indication" implies that there may be other, potentially even better, indicators. "The best indication" suggests that it is the most reliable or accurate indicator available.