a sign that

USAGE SUMMARY

'a sign that' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something is an indication or proof of a certain thing. For example: "The smile on her face was a sign that she was happy to see him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He held a sign that said so.

The New York Times

"It's a sign that things are working.

The New York Times - Sports

A sign that this is his week?

The Guardian - Sport

It's a sign that they're worried".

The Guardian

This is a sign that he was a Freemason.

Princeton University

This was a sign that carrot diplomacy may be working.

The Economist

"It's a sign that the power of the C.S.U.

The New York Times

He also made note of a sign that cautioned: "Danger.

The New York Times

Here was a sign that she wasn't alone".

The New York Times - Magazine

The door bore a sign that read, "NOW UNDERTAKING REPAIRS".

The New Yorker

"Do we have a sign that big?" she asked.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a sign that", ensure the connection between the sign and what it indicates is clear and logical to avoid misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid presenting something as "a sign that" if it is merely a correlation or a possibility, not a strong indicator. Overstating the significance can weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sign that" primarily functions as a noun phrase introducing a clause. It serves to identify something as an indicator, symptom, or piece of evidence pointing towards a particular conclusion. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and widely applicable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Wiki

15%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a sign that" is a versatile and frequently used phrase that acts as a noun phrase to introduce a clause, which serves to identify something as an indicator or evidence pointing towards a particular conclusion. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While suitable for a range of writing styles, from informal to formal, it's essential to ensure the connection between the "sign" and what it indicates is clear and logically sound to avoid misinterpretations. Alternatives such as "an indication that", "evidence that", or "proof that" can be used based on the context and the need to express the strength of the evidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an indication that

Replaces "sign" with a more general term for something pointing to a conclusion.

evidence that

Focuses on the phrase as proof or support for a particular fact or belief.

proof that

Suggests a more definitive confirmation or verification of something.

a confirmation that

Suggests the phrase is used to ratify or verify something.

a signal that

Emphasizes the phrase as a deliberate or unintentional communication.

a symptom that

Implies the phrase is characteristic of a condition or problem.

a demonstration that

Highlights the phrase as an act of showing something clearly.

a clue that

Highlights the phrase as a piece of information that helps solve a mystery or puzzle.

a harbinger that

Indicates that something is a precursor to future events.

an omen that

Suggests a more mysterious, prophetic indication of what is to come.

FAQs

How can I use "a sign that" in a sentence?

"A sign that" is used to indicate that something serves as evidence or an indication of something else. For example, "The increase in sales is "a sign that" the new marketing campaign is working."

What are some alternatives to saying "a sign that"?

You can use alternatives like "an indication that", "evidence that", or "proof that" depending on the context and the strength of the evidence you're presenting.

Is it always appropriate to use "a sign that"?

While generally acceptable, ensure the connection between the "sign" and what it indicates is logically sound. Avoid using it for weak correlations.

How does the formality of my writing affect using "a sign that"?

"A sign that" is suitable for various contexts, from informal to formal writing. However, in highly formal or academic contexts, you might consider alternatives like "demonstrates that" or "provides evidence that".