a reliable indicator of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a reliable indicator of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing something that serves as a dependable sign or measure of a particular condition or outcome. Example: "The increase in sales is a reliable indicator of the company's growing popularity in the market."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

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

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

How they react in pressurized situations is a reliable indicator of leadership success.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a reliable indicator of", ensure that the relationship between the indicator and the thing it indicates is well-established and supported by evidence. This strengthens the credibility of your statement.

Common error

Avoid presenting something as "a reliable indicator of" if its reliability is not consistently proven across different contexts. Overstating reliability can mislead your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a reliable indicator of" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or an appositive. As confirmed by Ludwig, it highlights something serving as a dependable sign or measure of a particular condition or outcome. Ludwig examples showcase this in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

43%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a reliable indicator of" is a versatile phrase used to denote something that consistently and accurately reflects a particular condition or outcome. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various domains, notably news, science, and academia. When employing this phrase, prioritize evidence-backed correlations to maintain credibility. Consider alternatives like "a trustworthy sign of" or "a dependable measure of" for nuanced expression. Ensure your claims align with established data to prevent misinterpretations. Remember that reliability must be proven to strengthen your statement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a solid indication of

Uses "indication" instead of "indicator", slightly softening the strength of the statement.

a trustworthy sign of

Replaces "indicator" with "sign", emphasizing the role of the phrase as a signal.

a dependable measure of

Substitutes "indicator" with "measure", focusing on the quantitative aspect of the phrase.

a sure marker of

Uses "marker" instead of "indicator", suggesting that the phrase is a sign or symbol.

a consistent gauge of

Uses "gauge" instead of "indicator", implying a tool for assessment that is consistent.

a valid reflection of

Replaces "indicator" with "reflection", highlighting how the sign mirrors the state of something.

an accurate index of

Replaces "indicator" with "index", stressing its use as an analytical tool.

a telling demonstration of

Emphasizes that something clearly shows the state of something else.

a faithful representation of

Changes "indicator" to "representation", emphasizing how accurately something reflects reality.

a proven predictor of

Shifts the focus to prediction, implying that what is indicated can foresee future outcomes.

FAQs

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

Use "a reliable indicator of" to suggest something that accurately reflects or predicts a certain condition or outcome. For example, "Increased website traffic is "a reliable indicator of" growing customer interest".

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

You can use alternatives like "a trustworthy sign of", "a dependable measure of", or "a consistent gauge of" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "a reliable indicator of" and "a strong indicator of"?

While both suggest a connection, ""a reliable indicator of"" implies consistency and trustworthiness over time, whereas "a strong indicator of" simply suggests a high degree of correlation at a given moment.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "a reliable indicator of"?

It's inappropriate to use "a reliable indicator of" when there's insufficient evidence to support the claim that the indicator consistently and accurately reflects the condition you're describing. Always ensure there's a solid basis for the claimed reliability.