a significant sign

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a significant sign" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something is an important indicator or symbol of a particular situation or condition. Example: "The sudden increase in temperature is a significant sign of climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

I have since thought of that as being a significant sign.

The New Yorker

Maybe the library's choice is a significant sign of our times — an admission that sometimes everything is too much.

The New Yorker

Investors, though, continue to push down the euro, which fell to $1.28 on Wednesday, a significant sign of eroding confidence.

The New York Times

But since then, the numbers have gradually improved, and its newsstand sales -- a significant sign of a magazine's vitality -- have jumped while those of most magazines have suffered.

The New York Times

Indeed, the fact that you may not have noticed that there are now three Catholics on the court is itself a significant sign of a change in the relationship between religion and government.

The New York Times - Magazine

The order for the A380's was a significant sign of support for the plane, which has been heavily criticized by the Boeing Company, a rival of Airbus, as being too big for the needs of the world's airlines.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

In both voriconazole-treated groups, a significant reduction in clinical signs and lesions was observed.

Veterinary Microbiology

"As well as Lee, Aled is a significant signing for the region and we are excited for his return to Gwent.

BBC

"Ultimately, the young man signed with the Indians and received a significant signing bonus of $790,000," Mr. Goodman said.

The New York Times - Sports

This means that new manager David Moyes is yet to make a significant signing during his reign at Old Trafford, while across in the blue half of the city, Manuel Pellegrini has wasted no time in bringing in four new faces.

Independent

Moyes is yet to make a significant signing as of yet, with the addition of young Uruguayan Guillermo Varela the only new face at Old Trafford, plus the arrival of Wilfried Zaha after he joined the club in January but remained with Crystal Palace on-loan until the end of the season.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a significant sign" when you want to emphasize that something is an important indicator or symbol of a particular situation. Ensure the context clearly establishes what the sign is significant of.

Common error

Avoid assuming that because something is "a significant sign", it automatically causes the outcome it predicts. A sign can indicate a trend or possibility without being the direct cause.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a significant sign" functions as a noun phrase, where 'significant' acts as an adjective modifying the noun 'sign'. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts. It often introduces an element or occurrence that serves as an important indicator.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

32%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a significant sign" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that indicates something serves as an important indicator or symbol. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific sources, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various contexts. While emphasizing the importance of an observation, it's crucial to avoid mistaking correlation for causation. Consider alternatives such as "an important indication" or "a key indicator" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an important indication

Replaces 'significant sign' with synonyms, emphasizing the indicative nature.

a key indicator

Substitutes 'significant sign' with 'key indicator', highlighting the importance as a measure or predictor.

a substantial indicator

Uses 'substantial indicator' implying weight and validity to sign

a notable symptom

Uses 'notable symptom' instead of 'significant sign', often used in medical or problem-solving contexts.

a telling signal

Employs 'telling signal' to convey that the sign reveals something important or informative.

a potent symbol

Uses 'potent symbol' to describe sign

a meaningful development

Changes the structure to focus on the development being meaningful rather than just a sign.

a noteworthy clue

Replaces sign with 'clue', suggesting the phrase is part of a discovery or investigation.

a revealing gesture

Replaces 'sign' with 'gesture', shifting the context towards actions that reveal something.

an evident omen

Substitutes 'sign' with 'omen', suggesting a prophetic or foretelling aspect.

FAQs

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

You can use "a significant sign" to point out an important indicator of a situation, for example: "The increase in sales is "a significant sign" of economic recovery".

What can I say instead of "a significant sign"?

You can use alternatives like "an important indication", "a key indicator", or "a telling signal" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "a significantly sign"?

No, "a significantly sign" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is ""a significant sign"", where 'significant' is an adjective modifying the noun 'sign'.

What's the difference between "a significant sign" and "a significant signal"?

While both ""a significant sign"" and "a significant signal" imply importance, "sign" often refers to something indicative or symbolic, whereas "signal" suggests something that prompts action or conveys specific information. The choice depends on the intended nuance.