a general indication

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a general indication" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when providing a broad or non-specific hint or suggestion about something. Example: "The report provides a general indication of the trends in the market over the past year."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Sir John should give a general indication of when he's likely to publish," Campbell said.

The Guardian

Can he give a general indication of the positive points he wanted made?

The Guardian

This will be helpful in practice, although there is no doubt still room for debate over what is meant by a "general indication" of the reasons for reaching a comment, as opposed to what is meant by "detail".

The Guardian

"Rather than painting a complete picture of displacement in a country, [the estimates] give a general indication of the scale of a number of situations at a given point in time," the report said.

The Guardian

This provides a general indication of the relative reliability of data contained in such world series maps as the 1 1,000,000-scale aeronautical charts and International Maps of the World.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It correlated night shift work with a higher risk for breast cancer, but its guidance on the subject suggested that there was a general indication that shift work is probably carcinogenic to humans, not that it was a particular risk for women.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This provides a general indication of the kind of experimental scenarios that can be modelled with Cabot.

Computers in Human Behavior

The disruption value is a benchmark that gives a general indication of the size of anonymization loss.

Journal of Big Data

An absolute zeta potential value of ± 30 mV is a general indication that the colloidal solution highly stable.

Journal of Analytical Science and Technology

This paper also provides a general indication of seismic vulnerability of common low-rise transfer structures in regions of low to moderate seismicity.

Engineering Structures

The system purpose, stated in the mission statement, is a general indication that the system will probably contribute to the business goal.

Design Methods for Reactive Systems Yourdon, Statemate, and the UML

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a general indication", ensure that you clarify the degree of certainty or likelihood associated with the information being conveyed to avoid misleading your audience.

Common error

Avoid presenting "a general indication" as a definitive prediction or fact. Use qualifiers such as 'may suggest' or 'potentially indicates' to maintain accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a general indication" functions as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject complement or object in a sentence, denoting a non-specific piece of information or hint. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

51%

News & Media

29%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a general indication" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase across diverse domains. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage. It serves to offer a preliminary or broad understanding without committing to specifics. Predominantly found in scientific and news contexts, it maintains a neutral to formal tone. Remember to qualify the level of certainty when employing this phrase to prevent misinterpretation. Related phrases include "a rough estimate" and "a broad outline", offering similar but subtly different shades of meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a suggestive sign

Conveys a signal that points to a possible outcome or condition.

a tentative forecast

Emphasizes the uncertainty and potential change of the 'indication'.

a rough estimate

Emphasizes an approximate calculation, differing from a hint or suggestion.

a preliminary assessment

Highlights the initial stage of evaluation, distinct from mere signalling.

a broad outline

Highlights the skeletal structure or plan, not necessarily predictive.

an approximate guide

Highlights directional guidance rather than predictive element.

a basic idea

Implies a simplified understanding, whereas the original phrase suggests some level of forecasting.

a likely scenario

It suggests a specific series of events, differing from a broad indicator.

an overall impression

Focuses on a subjective feeling or sense, rather than objective direction.

a clue

Hints at a potential solution, whereas the original phrase implies a less specific hint.

FAQs

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

Use "a general indication" to introduce a piece of information that provides a broad sense of what to expect, without being overly specific. For example, "The data provides "a general indication" of market trends".

What's the difference between ""a general indication"" and a specific prediction?

"A general indication" offers a broad overview or a hint, while a specific prediction makes a definite statement about a future outcome. The former is less precise and more open to interpretation.

What can I say instead of "a general indication"?

You can use alternatives like "a rough estimate", "a broad outline", or "a basic idea" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use ""a general indication"" in formal writing?

Yes, ""a general indication"" is suitable for formal writing when you need to convey a broad or tentative assessment. However, ensure it aligns with the level of detail required in your analysis.