a indication of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an indication of" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used to indicate something that suggests or points to a certain fact or situation. Example: The dark clouds in the sky were an indication of an approaching storm.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The author of this blog has also published book called Stop Being A F***ing Idiot, which should give you a indication of the tone to expect from this guide to Miami life.

The Guardian - Travel

It was a indication of Arsenal's lack of transfer activity that their starting line-up was identical to the side which finished the final match of last season away to Newcastle.

BBC

The approved designation for shellfish harvest determineswhetherthe estuary can support edible shellfish and therefore a indication of good water quality.

Plosone

For these associations there was a indication of a dose gradient, as the point estimate for the odds ratio increased as the level of annoyance or odor detection increased for four of the five associations evaluated.

Plosone

We do not attempt to resolve this dispute, however with regard to this, and as a indication of the flexibility of the method we employ we consider both the case where MDA-N is a breast cancer cell line and the the case where MDA-N is a melanoma cell line.

Plosone

We can furthermore not exclude that the observed basal activity of the AFP promoter might be a indication of the tumor characteristics of all immortalized cell lines.

BMC Biotechnology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

A smile could be an indication of a great attitude.

WikiHow

It's more an indication of a positive direction".

The New York Times

"Is this an indication of a major easing in consumption?

The New York Times

Bad bankers are an indication of a corrupt society.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Is that too an indication of a strange world?

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the article "an" before "indication" when the word following "of" begins with a vowel sound. For example: "an indication of interest".

Common error

Ensure you use the correct article ('a' or 'an') based on the sound of the following word. The phrase should be "an indication of" because 'indication' starts with a vowel sound. Using "a indication of" is grammatically incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an indication of" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or an object of a preposition. However, the query phrase is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI highlights examples from various domains, illustrating its use in contexts where something is pointed out or suggested.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the search query was for the phrase "a indication of", it's crucial to note, as Ludwig AI points out, that the correct grammatical form is "an indication of". The article "an" should precede "indication" because the word begins with a vowel sound. Though the incorrect form appears in some sources, especially Science and News & Media, prioritizing grammatical accuracy is recommended. The phrase is generally neutral in tone and serves to suggest something indirectly. Remember to use "an indication of" in your writing to ensure correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a sign of

Replaces 'indication' with 'sign', suggesting a more direct or obvious pointing to something.

a mark of

Substitutes 'indication' with 'mark', implying a distinctive feature or characteristic.

a symbol of

Replaces 'indication' with 'symbol', suggesting a representation or emblem of something.

a demonstration of

Substitutes 'indication' with 'demonstration', highlighting a clear display or showing of something.

a reflection of

Replaces 'indication' with 'reflection', implying a mirroring or representation of something else.

a suggestion of

Substitutes 'indication' with 'suggestion', implying a hint or indirect pointing to something.

a clue about

Replaces 'indication' with 'clue', suggesting a piece of evidence that helps solve a problem.

evidence for

Changes the phrase structure, replacing 'a indication of' with 'evidence for', implying factual support.

a hint regarding

Uses 'hint' instead of 'indication', suggesting a subtle or indirect suggestion.

a measure of

Replaces 'indication' with 'measure', implying a quantitative assessment or gauge.

FAQs

What's the correct phrase, "a indication of" or "an indication of"?

The correct phrase is "an indication of". The article "an" is used before words that begin with a vowel sound.

How can I use "an indication of" in a sentence?

You can use "an indication of" to show that something suggests a particular fact or situation. Example: "The rise in temperature is an indication of global warming."

What can I say instead of "an indication of"?

Alternatives include "a sign of", "a mark of", or "a reflection of", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "an indication of" formal or informal?

"An indication of" is generally considered neutral to formal. The level of formality will also depend on the surrounding vocabulary.