a sure sign

USAGE SUMMARY

'a sure sign' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to refer to something that serves as a reliable indication of a future outcome. For example, "The unusually warm weather we've been having lately is a sure sign that summer is on its way."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That would give us a sure sign.

The Guardian - Sport

"For me, that is a sure sign.

The New York Times - Magazine

This is a sure sign of any community's prosperity.

The Economist

This is a sure sign of disgust in the manager.

The New York Times - Sports

A sure sign of a life cruelly lived.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Contreras was wandering, a sure sign that something was wrong.

The New York Times - Sports

A sure sign that these pretty Jaguar coupes are undervalued.

The New York Times

It's a sure sign he thinks he's losing.

The Guardian

Always a sure sign of someone's good breeding.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

(Always a sure sign of the Devil's work).

The New Yorker

An empty email inbox is a sure sign of a cold-hearted weirdo.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a sure sign", ensure the connection between the sign and what it indicates is logical and easily understood by your audience. The strength of this connection reinforces the message's credibility.

Common error

Avoid presenting "a sure sign" as an absolute guarantee. Even reliable indicators can be misleading, so temper your language to acknowledge potential exceptions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sure sign" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or an appositive. It identifies something as a reliable indicator or predictor of another event or condition. Ludwig AI confirms its wide usage in this manner.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Wiki

19%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a sure sign" is a versatile and widely used phrase indicating a reliable predictor of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various domains, particularly in news and media. While presenting a strong correlation, it's essential to avoid overstating the certainty of the connection. Alternatives like "a clear indication" or "a definite signal" can provide nuanced variations in meaning. Therefore, using "a sure sign" correctly involves acknowledging potential exceptions and ensuring a logical connection between the sign and its indicated outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a clear indication

Focuses on providing an explicit indicator, which is very similar to "a sure sign".

a definite signal

Highlights the certainty of the signal, aligning with the reliability implied in "a sure sign".

a telling indicator

Emphasizes that the indicator reveals or tells something significant, which is closely related to the idea of a sign.

a reliable predictor

Shifts focus to the predictive quality of the sign, suggesting it accurately forecasts a future outcome.

an unmistakable indication

Stresses the clarity and lack of ambiguity in the indication, akin to the certainty of "a sure sign".

a certain harbinger

This suggests a sign that foretells something with certainty, focusing on its role as a precursor.

a conclusive indication

Highlights the finality and decisiveness of the indication, adding a sense of resolution.

a positive omen

Implies a sign that is specifically favorable or auspicious, adding a layer of positive connotation.

a dead giveaway

Indicates something that immediately and obviously reveals a truth, emphasizing its obviousness.

a red flag

Suggests a warning sign that alerts to a potential problem or danger, adding a cautionary element.

FAQs

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

"A sure sign" typically introduces an observation that reliably indicates something else, like, "The early blooming of flowers is "a sure sign" that spring has arrived".

What are some alternatives to "a sure sign"?

Alternatives include "a clear indication", "a definite signal", or "a telling indicator", each emphasizing different aspects of reliability and indication.

Is there a difference between "a sure sign" and "a possible sign"?

"A sure sign" implies a high degree of certainty and reliability, whereas "a possible sign" suggests uncertainty and only a potential link to the outcome. Using "a possible sign" is more cautious.

When is it inappropriate to use "a sure sign"?

Avoid using "a sure sign" when the connection between the sign and the outcome is weak, speculative, or based on anecdotal evidence. This helps maintain credibility in your writing.