a good sign

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a good sign" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an indication that a situation is likely to have a favorable outcome. For example: "Seeing the stock market rise is a good sign for the economy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's a good sign.

The New York Times

Not a good sign.

The New York Times

A good sign?

The Guardian - Business

That's not a good sign.

The New York Times

It was a good sign.

The New York Times - Sports

That's always a good sign.

Independent

But that's a good sign".

The New York Times - Sports

And that's a good sign".

The New Yorker

"So that's a good sign".

The New York Times - Sports

That's never a good sign.

The New York Times - Sports

"This is a good sign".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a good sign", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being evaluated and why the sign is considered positive. For example, "The increase in job applications is a good sign for the company's growth."

Common error

Avoid assuming that "a good sign" automatically guarantees a positive outcome. While it suggests a favorable trend, external factors can still influence the final result. Don't treat "a good sign" as a guarantee.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a good sign" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or appositive. Ludwig provides examples across diverse contexts, demonstrating its broad applicability in expressing positive indications. The phrase identifies something as indicative of a favorable outcome or future.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a good sign" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate that something suggests a positive outcome or development. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used in news, academic, and general contexts. While "a good sign" suggests a favorable trend, it's important not to misinterpret correlation as causation or treat it as a guarantee. Alternatives include "a promising indication" or "an encouraging signal". Remember to use it in context and avoid overstating its predictive power.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a favorable indication

Highlights the positive nature of the indication.

a promising indication

Replaces "sign" with "indication", emphasizing the suggestion of future success.

an encouraging signal

Substitutes "sign" with "signal", suggesting a more direct and intentional communication of positivity.

a positive omen

Replaces "sign" with "omen", implying a more traditional or superstitious belief in future good fortune.

an auspicious development

Emphasizes the favorable nature of an event or situation.

a harbinger of success

Suggests that something is a predictor of future achievements.

a welcome development

Focuses on the pleasant or desired nature of the event.

a reason for optimism

Shifts the focus to the resulting feeling or attitude.

grounds for hope

Indicates a basis or justification for feeling hopeful.

a cause for cheer

Implies that something is worth celebrating or feeling happy about.

FAQs

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

You can use "a good sign" to indicate that something suggests a positive outcome or development. For example, "The early bloom of flowers is "a good sign" for a bountiful harvest."

What are some alternatives to saying "a good sign"?

Alternatives to "a good sign" include "a promising indication", "an encouraging signal", or "a positive omen", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always accurate to interpret something as "a good sign"?

While something might appear as "a good sign", it's essential to consider other factors and potential variables that could influence the final outcome. It suggests a favorable trend, but isn't a guarantee of success. Avoid interpreting "a good sign" as an absolute predictor.

What's the difference between "a good sign" and "a positive trend"?

"A good sign" is a more general term indicating a favorable indication, whereas "a positive trend" specifically refers to a pattern of improvement over time. "A positive trend" usually needs more supporting datapoints than "a good sign".