a reliable predictor

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a reliable predictor" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing something that consistently forecasts or indicates an outcome accurately. Example: "In our study, we found that the model served as a reliable predictor of future sales trends."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It is far from a reliable predictor of the eventual nominee.

The New York Times

(Though Clinton's autumn polls were not a reliable predictor of the 2008 primary results).

The Guardian - Opinion

According to the data, the relationships among collaborators emerged as a reliable predictor of Broadway success.

The New Yorker

A low score is a reliable predictor of more heart problems to come.

The New York Times - Health

The quantity of these younger fish, called jacks, is a reliable predictor of the abundance of the next year's run.

The New York Times

As the events of the past year have shown, no factor should go uninvestigated in the quest to find a reliable predictor of earthquake activity.

The Guardian

Recent years have established that a liking for novelty, neophilia, is a reliable predictor of wellbeing, provided you've got a certain capacity for perseverance, too.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Normal T-wave signals are seen as a reliable predictor that a heart-failure patient is not at risk of having a heart attack in the next year.

The New York Times

James has long asserted that minor-league statistics are a reliable predictor of major-league performance, like high-school grades for a college career.

The New Yorker

None of these factors was a reliable predictor of their actual performance on the job, as rated by their supervisors.

The New York Times - Science

Growth alone is no longer a reliable predictor of valuation.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a reliable predictor", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being predicted and the basis for its reliability. For instance, instead of saying "X is a reliable predictor", specify "X is a reliable predictor of Y based on Z evidence".

Common error

Avoid presenting "a reliable predictor" as an absolute guarantee. Even reliable indicators are subject to exceptions and unforeseen circumstances. Qualify your statements to acknowledge potential variability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a reliable predictor" functions as a noun phrase that identifies something or someone that can be depended upon to forecast outcomes accurately. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is grammatically sound and widely used across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

39%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a reliable predictor" is a commonly used phrase that highlights something's ability to accurately forecast outcomes. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used across various domains, especially in science and news. When using this phrase, it's important to specify what is being predicted and to avoid overstating its predictive power. While numerous alternative phrases exist, such as "a dependable forecaster" or "a trustworthy indicator", "a reliable predictor" remains a direct and effective way to emphasize predictive validity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a dependable forecaster

Replaces 'predictor' with 'forecaster', emphasizing the act of forecasting, and 'reliable' with 'dependable', suggesting trustworthiness.

a trustworthy indicator

Substitutes 'predictor' with 'indicator', focusing on its role as a sign, and 'reliable' with 'trustworthy', highlighting its accuracy.

a consistent indicator

Emphasizes the consistency of the prediction rather than its inherent reliability.

a sound gauge

Replaces 'predictor' with 'gauge', implying a measuring tool, and 'reliable' with 'sound', suggesting accuracy and stability.

a valid prognosticator

Uses the more formal term 'prognosticator' for 'predictor' and 'valid' for 'reliable', increasing the formality.

a sure sign

Simplifies the phrase, focusing on the certainty of the indication.

an accurate measure

Highlights the precision of the prediction, replacing 'predictor' with 'measure'.

a telling harbinger

Uses 'harbinger' to suggest a foreshadowing role and 'telling' to emphasize the significance of the prediction.

a guiding metric

Implies the 'predictor' provides direction or guidance as a 'metric'.

a revealing determinant

Focuses on the 'predictor' as something that unveils or 'reveals' an outcome as a 'determinant'.

FAQs

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

You can use "a reliable predictor" to describe something that accurately indicates a future outcome. For example, "Historical data serves as "a reliable predictor" of market trends."

What are some alternatives to "a reliable predictor"?

Alternatives include "a dependable indicator", "a trustworthy forecaster", or "a consistent indicator". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What makes something "a reliable predictor"?

For something to be "a reliable predictor", it should consistently and accurately forecast a specific outcome, based on historical data, empirical evidence, or established patterns.

Is it accurate to call something "a reliable predictor" if it's not always correct?

While "a reliable predictor" suggests a high degree of accuracy, it doesn't imply infallibility. It means that, based on available evidence, it's a consistently accurate indicator, even if occasional exceptions may occur. It is still important to qualify your statements, for instance "X is generally "a reliable predictor" of Y, but is not guaranteed".