a good clue

USAGE SUMMARY

"a good clue" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about a hint that will help someone to figure out something. For example, "The detective followed a good clue to the murderer's hideout."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Inconclusive evidence, maybe, but a good clue.

The New York Times

If you think about it, this is a good clue.

The Guardian - Arts

This experiment results provide a good clue in the design of vertical tube falling film evaporators.

Desalination

Lately, I've grown to realize how much a good clue can elevate an otherwise normal answer.

The New York Times

1A: "Help during the fall?" is a good clue for GRAB BAR.

The New York Times

I strongly believe that a good clue should lead to a unique solution.

The Guardian

The evolving menus at high-profile restaurants are a good clue to changing food fashions.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We focus on what makes for a good clue and we look for red flags.

The Guardian - Opinion

The name of the technology gives a good clue to its distinguishing characteristics.

The Guardian

If lifting the leg reproduces the sciatic pain, that's a good clue that there's a protruding disk of some kind.

Harvard University

"Looking back, that was a good clue to what he could do and what he would do".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a good clue", ensure it clearly indicates a helpful piece of information or a sign that aids understanding. Avoid vagueness by specifying what the clue leads to or suggests.

Common error

Don't assume that "a good clue" automatically leads to a correct conclusion. Always verify and cross-reference the clue with other available information to avoid jumping to premature conclusions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a good clue" functions as a noun phrase, where 'good' modifies the noun 'clue'. It describes a helpful or significant piece of information. Ludwig examples confirm its use in various contexts to denote helpful insights or hints.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a good clue" is a commonly used phrase that functions as a noun phrase, denoting a helpful or significant piece of information. Ludwig AI identifies the phrase as grammatically correct and versatile for various contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific and academic writing. While its register is generally neutral, ensuring the 'clue' is clearly linked to a specific understanding or solution avoids vagueness. Recognizing that not all clues lead to correct conclusions is also crucial. Related phrases include "a valuable hint", "a promising lead", and "a telling sign", which can add variety to writing while maintaining clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a valuable hint

Replaces 'clue' with 'hint' and 'good' with 'valuable', emphasizing the usefulness of the information.

a promising lead

Substitutes 'clue' with 'lead' and 'good' with 'promising', suggesting the potential for further investigation.

a significant indicator

Replaces 'clue' with 'indicator' and 'good' with 'significant', highlighting the importance of the sign.

a telling sign

Uses 'telling sign' instead of 'good clue', emphasizing that the sign reveals important information.

a helpful indicator

Swaps 'clue' with 'indicator', retaining a similar meaning but with a slightly more formal tone.

an important lead

Similar to "a promising lead" but focuses on the importance rather than the potential.

a key piece of information

Replaces "a good clue" with a more descriptive phrase emphasizing the crucial nature of the information.

a noteworthy sign

Changes 'clue' to 'sign' and 'good' to 'noteworthy', indicating that the sign deserves attention.

a substantial hint

Alters "a good clue" to emphasize the importance and reliability of a hint.

a meaningful suggestion

Replaces "a good clue" with a suggestion that carries significance.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "a good clue"?

You can use alternatives like "a valuable hint", "a promising lead", or "a telling sign" depending on the context.

How is "a good clue" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "a good clue" is often used to indicate that something provides helpful information for solving a problem or understanding a situation. For example: "The broken window was a good clue to the burglary."

What's the difference between "a good clue" and "a red herring"?

"A good clue" points towards a solution or understanding, whereas "a red herring" is a misleading clue intended to distract from the relevant information.

In what contexts is the phrase "a good clue" most appropriate?

The phrase "a good clue" is appropriate in various contexts, including detective stories, problem-solving scenarios, and scientific investigations where identifying relevant information is crucial. It's suitable for both formal and informal settings.