a leading indicator of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a leading indicator of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts such as economics, finance, or data analysis to refer to a metric that predicts future trends or outcomes. Example: "The unemployment rate is often considered a leading indicator of economic health."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

But, he added, "big, headline-grabbing layoffs are not a leading indicator of the economy".

The New York Times

Housing starts are a leading indicator of economic activity.

The Economist

Heavy-equipment spending is often a leading indicator of economic activity.

The New York Times

Demand for these tools can provide a leading indicator of the pace of manufacturing.

The New York Times

The thinking is that these patents could be used as a leading indicator of food productivity.

MIT Technology Review

Italy's relationship with the United States is a leading indicator of that future, several speakers noted.

MIT Technology Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

For decades, venture capital has been a critical force in and a leading indicator of business innovation.

Harvard Business Review

Permits for new buildings, a leading indicator of housing construction, dropped 34percentt last year.

The New York Times

This is already a lagging--rather than a leading--indicator of where the pendulum of leadership opportunities is swinging.

Huffington Post

Machinery orders, a leading indicator of corporate capital spending, fell 3.1percentt compared with June.

The New York Times

The Dean campaign may be a leading indicator of young-voter power.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a leading indicator of", ensure you clearly define what the indicator is and what it predicts. For example, "Housing starts are a leading indicator of economic activity."

Common error

Don't assume the audience understands the relationship between the indicator and the outcome. Clearly explain the link to avoid misinterpretations. Instead of saying "X is a leading indicator", specify "X is a leading indicator of Y because..."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a leading indicator of" functions as a noun phrase that identifies something as a predictive measure. Ludwig's examples show it's often used to describe economic factors, social trends, or even individual behaviors that can signal future outcomes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a leading indicator of" is a common expression used to describe something that can predict future trends or outcomes, particularly in economics, business, and social sciences. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used. When writing, ensure you clearly establish the relationship between the indicator and what it predicts to avoid ambiguity. Alternative phrases like ""a predictive measure of"" or ""an early sign of"" can add variety to your writing. Remember that although the expression is typically neutral in tone, its formality can vary based on the publication source.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a predictor of

Directly states the predictive capability of the indicator.

a predictive measure of

Emphasizes the measurement aspect of prediction, moving away from the 'leading' metaphor.

an early sign of

Focuses on the temporal aspect, highlighting that it's one of the initial signals.

a harbinger of

A more literary term suggesting something that foreshadows a future event.

a bellwether for

Implies that the indicator leads or sets a trend that others follow.

a signal of things to come

A more descriptive phrase indicating that future events will resemble the current state.

a precursor to

Highlights the sequential relationship, indicating something comes before and influences what follows.

an indicator for future trends

Specifically calls out that the measure is pointing to future patterns.

a gauge of future

Highlights the indicator as an instrument for measuring something in the future.

a telltale sign of

Implies an unmistakable, revealing sign of something to come.

FAQs

What does "a leading indicator of" mean?

A leading indicator is a measurable economic factor that changes before the economy starts to follow a particular pattern or trend. It's used to predict future economic activity.

How can I use "a leading indicator of" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe something that signals a future trend, like "Consumer confidence is "a leading indicator of" future spending."

What are some alternatives to "a leading indicator of"?

Alternatives include "a predictive measure of", "an early sign of", or "a harbinger of", depending on the specific context.

Is "a leading indicator for" grammatically correct instead of "a leading indicator of"?

While "for" might occasionally be used, "of" is the standard and more widely accepted preposition in this context. For example, "Housing permits are "a leading indicator of" construction activity" is preferred.