a good index

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a good index" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a well-organized or effective index in a book, document, or database that helps users find information easily. Example: "The textbook includes a good index, making it easy for students to locate specific topics quickly."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There is a good index.

The New York Times

But there's a good index, and the selection is impeccably made.

The Guardian - Books

Very bad reviews are not, in the final accounting, a good index of their recipients' later success.

The New Yorker

Because of its temporal restriction, Theodossia is a good index fossil and aids in the correlation of sometimes widely separated rock units.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Conflict of a Man," released online in late August, is properly smart and complicated, a good index of what jazz musicians might be listening to right now.

The New York Times - Arts

The coefficient of 0.80 is considered a good index of reliability.

Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education

The zeta potential is a good index of degree of repulsive interactions between colloidal particles.

Cancer Nanotechnology

The calving interval is generally considered a good index of a cattle herd's reproductive efficiency.

Pastoralism

The average Lorenz number is a good index of performance of current leads.

Cryogenics

The estimation of fluoride in the plasma is a good index of fluoride status in the human system.

Applied Water Science

A good index is expected to be finite, independent of the coordinate system, dimensionally homogeneous and with clear physical significance.

Chinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a book or document, ensure the context clearly indicates whether you're discussing the index (the alphabetical listing) or an index as a measure/indicator of something else. For example, "The book features "a good index" for easy navigation," versus "The unemployment rate is "a good index" of economic health."

Common error

Avoid using "a good index" when a more specific term would be clearer. For instance, instead of saying "Customer satisfaction is "a good index" of our service quality", consider using "key indicator" or "primary measure" for enhanced precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a good index" primarily functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or object complement. Ludwig examples show it describes something that serves as a reliable indicator or measure. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

57%

News & Media

27%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a good index" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that functions as a noun phrase. It is used to describe something reliable, often as an indicator or measure. Ludwig's analysis of various sources reveals it appears frequently in science, news, and encyclopedia contexts. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, remember to consider context for clarity, ensuring it isn't mistaken solely for an index in a book. Alternative terms like "reliable indicator" or "key indicator" can sometimes provide more precision depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a strong indicator

Replaces the adjective "good" with "strong", emphasizing the reliability of the index.

a reliable indicator

Replaces "index" with a more general term for something that points to or signifies something else.

a solid gauge

Substitutes "index" with "gauge", implying a tool for measurement or assessment.

a useful guide

Focuses on the guiding aspect of an index, replacing it with the more common term "guide".

a clear indication

Similar to "a telling sign", but uses "indication" for a more formal tone.

an effective measure

Highlights the measuring or evaluating aspect of an index.

a trustworthy metric

Replaces "index" with "metric", emphasizing its role as a standard of measurement.

a helpful reference

Focuses on the reference aspect of an index, suggesting a tool for finding information.

a valuable benchmark

Uses "benchmark" to suggest a standard against which other things can be compared or assessed.

a telling sign

Substitutes "index" with "sign", highlighting its function as a signal or indication of something.

FAQs

How can "a good index" be used in a sentence?

You can use "a good index" to describe something that is a reliable indicator, like "The stock market is "a good index" of investor confidence", or to refer to a well-organized listing in a book, such as "The textbook has "a good index" for finding specific topics".

What's the difference between "a good index" and "a key indicator"?

"A good index" is a more general term for something that provides information, while "key indicator" implies something is specifically important and crucial for understanding a situation. A key indicator is often carefully selected for its significance.

Is it more appropriate to say "reliable measure" or "a good index"?

Both "reliable measure" and "a good index" can be suitable, but "reliable measure" is more straightforward and less ambiguous. "A good index" can sometimes be misinterpreted as referring specifically to an index in a book or document.

What are some alternatives to using "a good index" in academic writing?

In academic writing, consider using more precise terms such as "significant correlation", "reliable metric", or "valid parameter" depending on the specific context and field of study. These alternatives convey a more scholarly tone.