a reliable predictor of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a reliable predictor of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that consistently forecasts or indicates a particular outcome or result. Example: "The study found that regular exercise is a reliable predictor of overall health and well-being."

✓ 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

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

It is a reliable predictor of cardiovascular disease [16].

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a reliable predictor of", ensure that the relationship between the predictor and the outcome is well-established and supported by evidence. For example, "High SAT scores are often a reliable predictor of academic success in college".

Common error

Avoid using "a reliable predictor of" when the relationship is merely correlational and not causal. Saying that "ice cream sales are a reliable predictor of crime rates" is misleading because it implies a direct influence when there is likely a confounding variable, such as warmer weather.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a reliable predictor of" functions as a modifier within a sentence, typically describing a noun. It indicates that the noun in question can be trusted to forecast or indicate a particular outcome or characteristic. Ludwig examples confirm this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

49%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a reliable predictor of" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase for indicating a trustworthy forecast or sign. Ludwig's AI analysis confirms its correctness and usability. Predominantly found in scientific and news-related content, it serves to establish correlations and inform readers of likely outcomes. While versatile, it's crucial to ensure the relationship being described is well-supported and not merely a correlation. Consider alternatives like "a dependable indicator of" or "a consistent forecaster of" depending on the specific nuance intended. Overall, "a reliable predictor of" is a valuable phrase for precise and informative writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a dependable predictor of

Replaces "reliable" with "dependable", emphasizing trustworthiness.

a trustworthy predictor of

Replaces "reliable" with "trustworthy", focusing on the credibility of the prediction.

a consistent predictor of

Replaces "reliable" with "consistent", emphasizing the regularity of the prediction.

a dependable indication of

Combines "dependable" and "indication" to underline dependability.

a solid predictor of

Substitutes "reliable" with "solid", highlighting the robustness of the prediction.

a strong indicator of

Shifts from "predictor" to "indicator", focusing on pointing out rather than forecasting.

a trustworthy indicator of

Combines "trustworthy" and "indicator" for a slightly different nuance.

a telling sign of

Uses "telling sign" instead of "predictor", implying a clear indication.

a good indication of

Uses 'good' for a more general assessment of predictive power

a valid forecast of

Replaces 'predictor' with 'forecast' for a more time-oriented expression.

FAQs

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

You can use "a reliable predictor of" to describe something that consistently indicates a future outcome. For example, "Early childhood literacy is "a reliable predictor of" future academic success".

What are some alternatives to saying "a reliable predictor of"?

Alternatives include "a strong indicator of", "a dependable sign of", or "a trustworthy gauge of", depending on the context.

When is it inappropriate to use "a reliable predictor of"?

It's inappropriate to use "a reliable predictor of" if the correlation between the factors is weak or based on limited data. Avoid using it when the relationship is speculative or lacks substantial evidence.

Is there a difference between "a reliable predictor of" and "a guaranteed outcome of"?

Yes, "a reliable predictor of" suggests a high probability but not certainty, while "a guaranteed outcome of" implies certainty. A predictor is an indicator, while a guaranteed outcome is a definite result.