a small indication of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small indication of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a minor sign or hint of something, often in a context where you are discussing evidence or clues. Example: "The sudden drop in temperature was a small indication of the approaching storm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

That is a small indication of how thoroughly the series has broken the television mold.

The New York Times

The omission is perhaps a small indication of the large difficulty the Trump administration has had trying to revive the struggling U.S. coal sector.

The Washington Post

Gillingham, the ill-defined aristo whose name sounds like that of a used car salesman, is back on the scene and he has developed a small indication of personality.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

A small indication of his untypical nature was that in a party of striped-suited sartorialists, he was the only Tory MP I have seen wearing a sports jacket in the Commons chamber.

The Guardian

Graham Smith, chief executive of Republic, which campaigns for an elected head of state, said: "These letters are only a small indication of widespread lobbying that's been going on for years.

The Guardian

This is significant: it's a small indication of political triumphalism and of the condescension bordering on disdain towards universities manifested by those who think they hold the purse strings.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The fact that I was invited to lecture on the subject despite having been highly critical of Chinese takings is itself a very small indication of openness to conflicting views on the subject.

The Washington Post

A small indication was the scrapping in April of the last foolish restrictions that allowed only small businesses to produce items like wooden furniture, locks, candles, matches, bangles and pickles.

The Economist

This finding was not present for respiratory and food/digestive allergies, but there was some small indication of a gradient for skin allergies as a health outcome.

BMC Pediatrics

As totalitarian regimes teach us, freedom to dress is no small indication of wider liberties.

The Guardian - Opinion

The anxiety over charities is only one small indication of the fear and bewilderment felt by many American Muslims.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a small indication of" when you want to highlight that the evidence or sign is not conclusive but still noteworthy. For emphasis, specify what is being indicated.

Common error

Avoid presenting "a small indication of" as definitive proof or a guarantee of something. It should be framed as a possibility, not a certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small indication of" functions as a noun phrase functioning adjectivally. It modifies a noun by specifying its role as a minor sign or clue, pointing towards something else. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

43%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a small indication of" serves to introduce a minor or subtle hint about something, often inviting further scrutiny or consideration. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and appropriate for formal and scientific contexts, while also appearing in neutral registers like news and media. Though not extremely frequent, its usage is consistent across authoritative sources. Alternative phrases like "a slight indication of" or "a hint of" can be used depending on the context. When writing, it is important to not overstate the significance of something introduced with "a small indication of", and always frame it as a possibility rather than a certainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight indication of

Slight replaces small, emphasizing the subtlety of the indication.

a minor indication of

Minor substitutes small, highlighting the insignificance of the indication.

a faint indication of

Faint replaces small, stressing the weak or barely perceptible nature of the indication.

a trace indication of

Trace replaces small, implying a minimal or residual sign.

a subtle indication of

Subtle replaces small, indicating a delicate or understated sign.

a hint of

Replaces the entire phrase with a more concise way of expressing a suggestion or clue.

a suggestion of

Suggestion replaces indication, focusing on the suggestive nature of the sign.

a glimmer of

Glimmer replaces indication, suggesting a fleeting or momentary sign.

a shadow of

Metaphorically replaces indication, implying a vague or indistinct sign.

an inkling of

Inkling replaces indication, denoting a vague or intuitive feeling.

FAQs

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

You can use "a small indication of" to introduce a subtle hint or sign. For example, "The increase in website traffic was a small indication of growing interest in the product."

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

Alternatives include "a slight indication of", "a minor indication of", or simply "a hint of", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a small indication of" or "a large indication of"?

The choice depends on the magnitude of the sign you're describing. "A small indication of" implies the sign is subtle, while "a large indication of" suggests a more significant sign.

What's the difference between "a small indication of" and "evidence of"?

"A small indication of" suggests a hint or a preliminary sign, whereas "evidence of" implies a more concrete basis for a conclusion. The former is less definitive than the latter.