a sign of intent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sign of intent" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something serves as an indication or evidence of someone's intention or purpose. Example: "The contract was signed, which was a clear sign of intent to proceed with the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"Rome means business," he said, adding: "Two cardinals and three archbishops is a sign of intent.

The New York Times

England's fielding has been uncharacteristically erratic in India so far so that was a sign of intent.

The Guardian - Sport

In Bamian, up on the mountain above Abbas Ali's home, 12 new wooden and brick security huts march across the hillsides of the 230-square-mile concession area, a sign of intent — maybe — that the soil will soon be broken and the mine's promise fulfilled.

The New York Times

Admittedly, the pledge was hedged with the weaselly admission that they couldn't do anything until after the new charter was agreed - ie, it simply confirmed the 19-month status quo – but as a sign of intent, it was pretty clear: the BBC's spending and its ability to provide "value for money" will be at the heart of the charter renewal debate.

The Guardian

At first glance this may look like little more than a glorified affiliate type deal but with the lack of self-sign up at KashFlow's new OEMAccounts.com site and a negotiable revenue share, it's perhaps more a sign of intent as the company beds down on its growth trajectory minus the 'strategic investor' that it recently set out to find.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The protest billboards along the Hermans' property are merely a sign of their intent.

Independent

Its acquisition of Chris Moody's analytics company Gnip for $130m last April is a sign of that intent.

The Guardian - Tech

Its grimness is taken as a sign of serious intent, even as its sentimental turn offers that all-important measure of hope.

The New Yorker

East Asian cultures see long, unkempt hair in a woman as a sign of sexual intent or a recent sexual encounter, as usually their hair is tied up.

Wikipedia

Now it is counting some ballots in which light the width of a pin-prick shines through, and dimpled ballots if each vote is marked with a dimple -- a clearer sign of intent, the board said.

The New York Times

David Emm, a security researcher from Kaspersky Labs, said this growth was making life difficult for the authorities - but believed the arrests signalled a strong sign of intent from the Indian government to get a grip on scammers.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a sign of intent" to subtly suggest future actions or decisions, rather than stating them directly. It adds nuance and anticipation to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a sign of intent" when the intention is already explicitly stated. The phrase works best when the intent is implied but not yet fully declared.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sign of intent" functions as a noun phrase that identifies something serving as an indicator or indication of a particular intention or purpose. Ludwig AI confirms it's a valid expression.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a sign of intent" is a valid and usable English expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, indicating something serves as evidence or an indication of someone's purpose. Though less frequently used, it carries a neutral tone, suitable for a variety of writing styles, predominantly appearing in news and media contexts. Related alternatives include phrases like "an indication of purpose" and "a demonstration of resolve", which offer subtle variations in meaning. When using the phrase, it's important to imply rather than explicitly state the intention, enriching the narrative with anticipation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an indication of purpose

This alternative focuses on the clarity of intention, replacing the implied nature of a "sign" with a direct statement.

a clear signal of commitment

Emphasizes the clarity and definiteness of the intention being conveyed.

a demonstration of resolve

This phrase highlights the strength and firmness of the intention, emphasizing commitment.

an expression of determination

Focuses on the outward manifestation of an inward resolve.

a token of commitment

This indicates that the action serves as a symbol representing dedication or pledge towards achieving a specific goal.

a preview of future actions

Suggests the action is a small-scale representation of larger, intended future steps.

a harbinger of things to come

This suggests the action is a predictor of future events linked to the intention.

an initial step toward

This indicates that the action is the beginning of a series of actions designed to achieve a particular goal.

a hint of determination

This phrase implies a subtle indication of a strong will or resolve to achieve something.

an overture of intention

Highlights the introductory and sometimes subtle nature of the indication.

FAQs

How can I use "a sign of intent" in a sentence?

You can use "a sign of intent" to describe actions or events that suggest a particular goal or purpose. For example: "Their increased investment in research and development was "a sign of intent" to dominate the market."

What are some alternatives to "a sign of intent"?

Alternatives include "an indication of purpose", "a demonstration of resolve", or "a token of commitment", each carrying slightly different connotations.

Is "a sign of intent" formal or informal?

"A sign of intent" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it often appears in news and media reporting.

What's the difference between "a sign of intent" and "a letter of intent"?

"A sign of intent" refers to an action or event that suggests a particular purpose, while "a letter of intent" is a formal document outlining an agreement's preliminary terms.