a helpful indicator

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a helpful indicator" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that provides useful information or guidance in a particular context. Example: "The increase in sales figures is a helpful indicator of the company's overall performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

In addition to the logs, the magnetic susceptibility, measured continuously on the cores, is a helpful indicator of facies changes.

Marine Geology

Reticulocyte haemoglobin content (CHr) has been shown to be a helpful indicator for detecting iron deficiency before the development of anaemia.

Anales de Pediatría

Having a tax lien on a credit report is highly predictive, and is a helpful indicator of credit risk.

Forbes

Our results also highlight the usefulness of the CFR as a helpful indicator of post-crash road safety.

Injury Epidemiology

To delight people with a clever animation in a chart, a helpful indicator while the chart loads, a smart gesture for how a menu snaps back into place.

TechCrunch

62 Mid-upper arm circumference is a helpful indicator of malnutrition in ill patients (normal 23 cm in males, > 22 cm females).

Clinical interventions in aging

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

This is a more helpful indicator of how long Caitlin Moran has been writing than it is the eloquence of her prose.

The Guardian

For this reason R is not be a very helpful indicator in assessing nonlinear fit quality, as in our case [ 16].

BioMed Research International

(Yahoo's ad wasn't clickable, and its timer counted how long the video had been playing, a slightly less helpful indicator).

The New York Times

Conclusion: Evaluation of the coarseness of trabeculation of the alveolar bone as seen on intraoral radiographs is a helpful clinical indicator of skeletal BMD and better than densitometric measurements of the alveolar bone.

Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontology

However, a more direct indicator, relating the available solar radiation during a heating season to the space volume to be heated, the Volumetric Insolation Factor (VIF), seems to be of most practical use as far as contributing a helpful evaluation indicator, to the above mentioned design processes.

Renewable Energy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a helpful indicator", ensure that the context clearly establishes what the indicator is pointing towards and why it is considered helpful. Be specific about the information it provides.

Common error

Avoid presenting "a helpful indicator" as a definitive proof or guarantee. It should be framed as one piece of evidence among others, rather than the sole determinant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a helpful indicator" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase denotes something that serves as a useful sign or piece of evidence. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its use across various domains, highlighting its informative role.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

70%

News & Media

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a helpful indicator" is a versatile phrase used to describe something that provides useful information or guidance. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. Predominantly found in scientific and news-related content, the phrase serves to highlight valuable signs or metrics. When using "a helpful indicator", ensure you clearly define what the indicator is and why it is considered helpful, avoiding overstatements of its reliability. Alternative phrases like "a useful sign" or "a valuable clue" can be used depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a useful sign

Emphasizes the practicality of the indication, focusing on its usability.

a valuable clue

Suggests that the indicator aids in solving a problem or mystery.

a key metric

Highlights the importance of the indicator as a measurable value.

a telling sign

Focuses on the revealing nature of the indicator, implying it uncovers something important.

an informative marker

Stresses that the indicator provides information.

a significant signal

Implies the indicator is a noteworthy sign that warrants attention.

a reliable gauge

Highlights the dependability of the indicator for measuring something.

a good pointer

Suggests that the indicator directs attention to something important.

a practical guide

Emphasizes the actionable aspect of the indicator, suggesting it assists in decision-making.

a suggestive element

Indicates that the element hints at something without explicitly stating it.

FAQs

How can I use "a helpful indicator" in a sentence?

Use "a helpful indicator" to introduce something that provides useful information or guidance. For example, "Reticulocyte haemoglobin content (CHr) has been shown to be "a helpful indicator" for detecting iron deficiency before the development of anaemia".

What are some alternatives to "a helpful indicator"?

You can use alternatives such as "a useful sign", "a valuable clue", or "a key metric" depending on the specific context and the type of information being conveyed.

Is "a helpful indicator" formal or informal?

"A helpful indicator" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness largely depends on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing.

What makes something "a helpful indicator" rather than just an indicator?

The addition of "helpful" emphasizes the practical value and usefulness of the indicator. It suggests that the indicator provides relevant and actionable information, as opposed to simply pointing something out.