a slight indication of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slight indication of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to express a small or subtle hint or sign of something. Example: "The artist's use of color provides a slight indication of the emotions she was trying to convey in her work."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

A slight indication of mineralization could be seen in these samples when cultured under OS conditions.

Nature

6. Né-Net The store's eye-catching windows, which recently showed mannequins in Mexican wrestling masks and tent dresses, are only a slight indication of the fashion inside.

The New York Times - Style

They gave a slight indication of their potential with a bronze in Belgrade, although they finished outside the medals in regattas in Lucerne and Munich.

BBC

There is also a slight indication of lower employment in the longer period leading up to the minimum wage increases, but there is nonetheless a distinct downward shift subsequently.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

They needed us for a repeat cesarean; the indication was failure to progress with a slight indication of fetal distress.

HuffPost

The intercalarium of adult L. cyclurus also shows only a slight indication of a processus.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

But if the opening leader has the queen, he never leads a trump, so the absence of a trump lead is a slight indication that the vital queen is on the left.

The New York Times - Arts

"Not only is past performance no guarantee of future performance," he says, "but there's a slight indication that high-flier funds do really horribly the year after".

Forbes

For each 2-year interval past Years 1 and 2, and despite considerable variation in relapse frequency and slight indication of an impact beyond Year 2, no significant effect of relapse frequency for individual 2-year blocks could be found.

Brain

Even slight indications of jihadist affinity, as in the case of the suspect in Saturday's attack, are enough to land individuals on the list.

The New York Times

Two weeks later her depressive mood and physical symptoms had recovered, but she still exhibited some slight indications of delusional feelings.

Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a slight indication of", ensure that the context provides further information or evidence to support the suggestion. This prevents ambiguity and strengthens your claim.

Common error

Avoid presenting "a slight indication of" as definitive proof or conclusive evidence. Emphasize the tentative nature of the indication to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slight indication of" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a subtle piece of evidence or a hint towards a particular conclusion. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

42%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a slight indication of" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a subtle hint or suggestion, particularly in scientific, news, and academic contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While grammatically sound and widely accepted, it's crucial to avoid overstating its significance and ensure contextual support. Alternatives like "a subtle hint of" or "a faint sign of" can provide nuanced variations. This phrase is commonly employed to convey preliminary observations or potential trends without making definitive claims.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a subtle hint of

Focuses on the indirectness and delicacy of the sign.

a faint sign of

Emphasizes the weak or barely perceptible nature of the indication.

a hint of

Focuses on the indirect and suggestive nature of the sign.

a trace of

Highlights a minimal amount or presence of something.

a suggestion of

Implies a possible but not definite presence or occurrence.

a glimmer of

Suggests a brief or momentary sign.

a suspicion of

Implies an uncertain or speculative indication.

a touch of

Highlights a small degree or element of something.

a whiff of

Suggests a fleeting or transient indication.

a shadow of

Implies a vague or indistinct sign.

FAQs

How can I use "a slight indication of" in a sentence?

Use "a slight indication of" to introduce a subtle hint or suggestion about something. For example, "The data provides "a slight indication of" improvement in the patient's condition".

What are some alternatives to "a slight indication of"?

You can use alternatives like "a subtle hint of", "a faint sign of", or "a trace of" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a slight indication of" or "a strong indication of"?

The choice depends on the strength of the evidence. Use "a slight indication of" when the evidence is weak or suggestive, and "a strong indication of" when the evidence is more compelling.

What does "a slight indication of" imply?

It implies that there is some evidence or suggestion, but it is not definitive or conclusive. Further investigation or evidence may be needed.