a certain sign

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a certain sign" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific indication or symbol that suggests something particular. Example: "The sudden drop in temperature is a certain sign that winter is approaching."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

He was looking for instances in which a certain sign "caused" an increased risk of a particular ailment.

The Economist

The appearance of flower venders, with their brilliantly hued horse-drawn wagons of blooms, was once a certain sign that another city spring was at hand.

The New Yorker

The princess herself is a dark-haired stunner who makes the prince drop his teacup (a certain sign of true love).

The Guardian - Books

There wasn't a sewing machine needle or bobbin in the basket, and the jar full of mismatched shirt buttons was a certain sign of repair work.

The New York Times

The dynamic monopsony model assumes workers behave in certain ways; the economic interpretation of estimates for separation wage coefficients and the labor supply elasticity requires that estimates have a certain sign.

IZA Journal of Development and Migration

Increased TEWL values indicates a skin dehydration process [29] but if the values are not very high above the limit increased TEWL values do not indicate a certain sign of noxiousness.

Chemistry Central Journal

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

The Americans, he said, had beards, an almost certain sign that they belonged to a unit of the Special Forces, which permits uniformed soldiers to grow facial hair.

The New York Times

It's an almost certain sign of impending relegation, particularly when it's a player who has a bit of history with your club.

Vice

EXPERIENCED rail travelers recognize it is an almost certain sign of delay when fellow passengers abandon the train and strike off into the surrounding mountains on foot.

The New York Times - Travel

The new smaller family sedan will probably have a Mazda platform and a Euro design an almost certain sign of disaster to come.

Forbes

"But there is still merit in the outline Black plan, which goes some way to solving the so-called Richard Desmond problem – the fear that major publishers could undermine the system by simply leaving it – by requiring all publishers over a certain size to sign a five year contract".

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a certain sign", ensure the connection between the sign and what it indicates is clear to your audience to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid presenting "a certain sign" as an absolute guarantee. It's an indicator, not an unshakeable truth. Qualify your statements to reflect the possibility of exceptions or alternative explanations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a certain sign" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often acting as a subject complement or an appositive. It identifies something as being indicative or suggestive of something else, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

37%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a certain sign" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to denote something indicative or suggestive of something else. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is commonly found in contexts such as News & Media and Science, though its overall frequency is classified as uncommon. When using "a certain sign", be sure to clearly connect the sign with its indication and avoid presenting it as an absolute guarantee. Alternatives include "a clear indication" and "a sure sign", offering writers varied options to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a definite indication

Emphasizes the clarity and unambiguity of the sign.

a clear signal

Highlights the communicative aspect of the sign.

a telltale sign

Implies that the sign reveals something that was previously hidden.

a sure indication

Stresses the reliability of the sign.

a reliable indicator

Focuses on the sign's capacity to accurately represent something.

a distinct marker

Emphasizes the sign's uniqueness and recognizability.

a telling symptom

Specifically refers to a sign as a symptom, often in a medical context.

a harbinger

Highlights the sign as a predictor of future events.

a portent

Implies the sign has a deeper, often ominous, significance.

an omen

Suggests the sign has a supernatural or fateful meaning.

FAQs

How can I use "a certain sign" in a sentence?

You can use "a certain sign" to indicate something is likely or indicative of something else. For example: "The appearance of robins is "a certain sign" that spring is near."

What can I say instead of "a certain sign"?

You can use alternatives like "a clear indication", "a sure sign", or "a definite signal" depending on the context.

Is "a certain sign of" grammatically correct?

Yes, "a certain sign of" is grammatically correct. It is often followed by the thing that the sign indicates. For instance: "Rain is "a certain sign of" an approaching storm."

What's the difference between "a certain sign" and "a clear sign"?

"A certain sign" implies something is quite indicative, while "a clear sign" emphasizes the ease with which the sign can be recognized and understood.