a reliable indicator

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a reliable indicator" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that consistently provides accurate information or signals about a particular situation or outcome. Example: "The unemployment rate is often considered a reliable indicator of the overall health of the economy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It's no longer a reliable indicator of punk to come.

The New York Times - Arts

The BBC's Sound of … polls have been a reliable indicator of success in recent years.

The Guardian - Music

"Conventional government-funded science isn't a reliable indicator of health defects," she told me.

The Guardian - Tech

But experts say swabs are not necessarily a reliable indicator of whether someone is actually sick.

The New York Times

(As has so often been the case, a reliable indicator of a good read).

The Guardian - Books

Location, Location High style is not a reliable indicator of a negative attitude toward children.

The New York Times - Travel

Yet Britain's past global interconnections are not necessarily a reliable indicator for the future.

The Guardian - Opinion

It saved spending hours browsing, too - Virago seemed a reliable indicator of quality.

The Guardian - Books

The delta for passing quality may indeed be a reliable indicator of ability.

The New Yorker

And exactly how performing these quick calculations is a reliable indicator of teaching ability isn't specified.

The Guardian

Party identification alone is not a reliable indicator of ethical standards.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a reliable indicator", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being indicated. For example, specify "leading economic indicators" to provide clarity.

Common error

Avoid treating "a reliable indicator" as an absolute guarantee. Even reliable indicators can be influenced by unforeseen factors, so always consider them in conjunction with other data.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a reliable indicator" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or an appositive. It identifies something that can be trusted to accurately represent or predict a specific condition. As stated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and widely applicable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

41%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a reliable indicator" is a frequently used and grammatically correct phrase that denotes something providing consistent and accurate information. According to Ludwig, it’s appropriate for diverse contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal business settings. Related phrases include "a trustworthy gauge" and "a dependable measure", offering alternative ways to convey accuracy. While useful, it’s essential to avoid overstating the reliability of any single indicator and to consider it within a broader context. The phrase is versatile, and understanding its nuances helps to improve the clarity and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a trustworthy gauge

Replaces "indicator" with "gauge", emphasizing precision and accuracy in measurement.

a dependable measure

Substitutes "reliable indicator" with "dependable measure", highlighting consistency and trustworthiness in assessment.

a solid predictor

Changes "indicator" to "predictor", focusing on the ability to forecast future outcomes accurately.

a consistent signal

Replaces "indicator" with "signal", emphasizing the consistent communication of information.

a sound yardstick

Changes "indicator" to "yardstick", suggesting a standard or criterion for evaluation.

a valid readout

Uses "readout" instead of "indicator", focusing on the accessibility and understandability of the information provided.

a credible marker

Substitutes "reliable" with "credible" and "indicator" with "marker", highlighting believability and recognition.

a robust sign

Changes "reliable" to "robust" and "indicator" to "sign", underscoring strength and dependability in conveying information.

a telling sign

Uses "telling sign" suggesting that the sign reveals something important or significant.

a symptomatic indicator

Uses "symptomatic indicator" which means that the indicator helps to identify a condition or problem.

FAQs

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

You can use "a reliable indicator" to describe something that accurately reflects a particular situation or trend. For example, "Consumer confidence is often seen as "a reliable indicator" of future economic growth".

What are some alternatives to saying "a reliable indicator"?

Alternatives include "a trustworthy sign", "a dependable measure", or "a solid predictor" depending on the specific context.

Is it accurate to consider "a reliable indicator" as a perfect predictor?

While "a reliable indicator" suggests a strong correlation, it's not a guarantee. Factors can change, influencing outcomes differently than historically observed. Always consider indicators within a broader context.

How does "a reliable indicator" differ from "a leading indicator"?

"A leading indicator" is a specific type of indicator that precedes future events, particularly in economics. "A reliable indicator" is a broader term referring to anything that consistently provides accurate information, whether it leads or reflects current conditions.