a tangible sign

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a tangible sign" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a physical or concrete indication of something, often in contexts related to evidence or manifestation. Example: "The increase in community engagement is a tangible sign of the project's success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

"One of the characteristics of a covenant," as Mrs. Austin put it, "is a tangible sign.

The New York Times

Navy Athletic Director Chet Gladchuk said that was a "tangible sign of a unified front by those remaining schools".

The New York Times - Sports

"These fields are a tangible sign of our Youth Football Fund in action," Commissioner Paul Tagliabue said in a statement.

The New York Times - Sports

A tangible sign of their bond is the film "Présentation" ("Introduction"), from 1951, which Rohmer directed and the twenty-year-old Godard stars in.

The New Yorker

It will be a catharsis for the city, Tekulve said, a tangible sign of progress but nothing close to the feeling of a championship.

The New York Times - Sports

Now it picks up anything up to 200 people – a tangible sign of the umbilical cord that connects the two cities.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

Although the Easterners turned out in droves for their first free elections, a banana (or, for that matter, a BMW) was a more tangible sign of freedom.

Forbes

At the start of last year, a Predator plunged into the Mediterranean Sea after conducting a secret mission over Libya, a rare tangible sign of U.S. surveillance operations there.

The Washington Post

A more tangible sign Endeavor has made a difference: Nearly 30 of these entrepreneurs have helped develop startup ecosystems by starting venture funds in emerging countries and a whopping 81% of them have donated cash or equity to support Endeavor.

TechCrunch

The legislation would reinstate the tattered social contract, profoundly affect individual public behavior, and provide an unusually tangible sign that a government gone awry had finally gotten a grip.

The New York Times

But advocates across the environmental community agree that only if the White House decides to block the monstrosity will we have a really tangible sign that the politics of climate change have shifted in the right direction.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a tangible sign", ensure that the sign you are referring to is something that can be easily perceived or recognized as real and concrete.

Common error

Avoid using "a tangible sign" when you simply mean something is important or significant. 'Tangible' refers to something perceptible by touch or clearly evident to the senses, not merely something of value or consequence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tangible sign" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or object within a sentence. It identifies a specific instance of something real and perceptible. As Ludwig AI illustrates, its use appears in various contexts, from politics to personal relationships.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Academia

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a tangible sign" is a common noun phrase used to denote a concrete and perceptible indication of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, including news, science, and formal communication. It serves to emphasize the reality and clarity of the sign, providing a clear indication that is easily understood. While alternatives like "a concrete indication" and "a visible manifestation" exist, the phrase "a tangible sign" remains a straightforward and reliable choice for expressing concrete evidence. Its use avoids ambiguity and grounds the concept in reality, making it a valuable tool in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a concrete indication

Replaces 'tangible' with 'concrete', emphasizing the physical and real nature of the sign.

a real indication

Simply reinforces the genuineness of the indication.

a visible manifestation

Focuses on the sign being outwardly apparent, using 'manifestation' to suggest a clear display.

a clear indicator

Highlights the sign's role in pointing something out directly and unambiguously.

a palpable demonstration

Emphasizes that the sign is easily perceived, almost touchable, showing or proving something.

a solid evidence

Replaces 'sign' with 'evidence', focusing on its role in providing proof or support.

a manifest symbol

Highlights that the sign is clearly apparent and serves as a symbol, a thing that represents or stands for something else.

an actual marker

Highlights the sign acting as a real point of reference or demarcation.

a distinct signal

Emphasizes the clarity of the sign as a specific message.

a physical representation

Highlights the sign as a material or bodily form expressing something abstract.

FAQs

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

Use "a tangible sign" to describe a concrete piece of evidence or a physical manifestation of something. For example, "The new building is "a tangible sign" of the city's economic growth".

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

You can use alternatives like "a concrete indication", "a visible manifestation", or "a clear indicator depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "tangible sign" since signs are usually tangible?

While many signs are tangible, using "a tangible sign" emphasizes the concrete and physical nature of the sign, differentiating it from more abstract or symbolic indications.

What's the difference between "a tangible sign" and "a symbolic gesture"?

"A tangible sign" refers to something real and physically present, while a symbolic gesture represents an idea or feeling without necessarily being physical.