a sign of trust

USAGE SUMMARY

'a sign of trust' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an action that demonstrates the trust between two people. For example, "We shook hands, a sign of trust between us."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

It's a sign of trust in young people.

The Guardian

Do you think it is a sign of trust and intimacy?

The New York Times

It was a sign of trust, and meant we were business partners.

The New York Times

In a sign of trust that seems to be evolving between captors and captives, the prisoner has asked the doctor to have tea with him after the operation.

The New York Times

Analysis of the oxytocin in their bloodstreams reveals what is going on: by sending money to person B, person A is giving a sign of trust – and being on the receiving end of a sign of trust, it emerges, causes oxytocin to increase, motivating more generous behaviour in return.

The Guardian

"It's a sign of trust," Tiffany Carandang, a high school senior in San Francisco, said of the decision she and her boyfriend made several months ago to share passwords for e-mail and Facebook.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

This was partly owing to her choice of co-writers/producers. Madonna has only just cottoned on to Nicki Minaj and MIA; as one of the biggest singers in the world, it's a sign of confidence that Beyoncé trusted most of this to the-Dream.

The Guardian - Music

American officials, who had long been pushing for such a deployment in the face of "adamant" Pakistani opposition, were jubilant, viewing it as a sign of growing trust in an often troubled relationship.

The Guardian

Janrain argues that this is a sign of the "trust and affinity felt toward Google's service".

TechCrunch

He also served as the presidential representative in the volatile North Caucasus region - a sign of personal trust by Mr Putin.

BBC

In recent months, Mr Choe has regularly been seen on such visits, a sign of the trust placed in him and his level of influence.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a sign of trust" when you want to emphasize that an action or gesture demonstrates a belief in someone's reliability, honesty, or capability. For instance, delegating a critical task to an employee can be "a sign of trust" in their abilities.

Common error

Avoid assuming that a superficial gesture is "a sign of trust" without verifying the underlying sentiment. For example, a politician's handshake might appear as "a sign of trust", but their actions might contradict this impression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sign of trust" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or an appositive. It describes an action, gesture, or symbol that indicates or represents confidence and reliance, as illustrated by Ludwig in several examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

19%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

9%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a sign of trust" is a versatile phrase used to describe actions or gestures that demonstrate confidence and reliance. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly employed in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. Related phrases like "a token of confidence" offer nuanced alternatives. The phrase is generally neutral in register, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using it, remember to consider the context to ensure the interpretation aligns with the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a token of confidence

Emphasizes the aspect of confidence being bestowed.

an indication of good faith

Highlights the honesty and sincerity implied by the trust.

a mark of reliance

Focuses on the dependence one party places on another.

a gesture of faith

Implies a belief in someone's abilities or integrity.

a symbol of dependability

Highlights the reliability associated with the trust.

an act of believing

Focuses on the action of believing in someone or something.

a testament to loyalty

Shows allegiance or faithfulness as a result of trust.

a measure of assurance

Reflects the level of certainty and security derived from trust.

a display of allegiance

Highlights the commitment and support implied by trust.

a representation of confidence

Implies a public showing of belief in another's abilities.

FAQs

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

You can use "a sign of trust" to describe an action that indicates confidence in someone, for example: "Giving your engineers stock is "a sign of trust" and appreciation."

What are some alternatives to saying "a sign of trust"?

Alternatives include "a token of confidence", "an indication of good faith", or "a mark of reliance", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always positive to interpret something as "a sign of trust"?

Not necessarily. While "a sign of trust" generally implies a positive relationship, it's crucial to consider the context. Sometimes, what appears to be "a sign of trust" could be manipulative or strategic.

What does it mean when someone gives "a sign of trust"?

When someone gives "a sign of trust", it typically means they are demonstrating their belief in another person's reliability, honesty, or capability. This can manifest in various ways, such as sharing sensitive information or delegating important responsibilities.