a tiny indication of

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Bowie is dead, but Lazarus continues to play, a tiny indication of the indelible impact he had on American culture, and on the world.

The Guardian - Music

Which is only a tiny indication of why it's just craziness to close down the Classics department at Royal Holloway, University of London – which is what the senior management are proposing to do.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The occupation of Malheur (coincidentally a French word for "misadventure," "misfortune," "bad luck," "trouble" or "grief") has not produced even the tiniest indication of such steps.

Huffington Post

"The American," filtering out any mention of the character's history and suppressing all but the tiniest indications of emotion, tries to strip the man to his essence.

The New York Times

The film, "filtering out any mention of the character's history and suppressing all but the tiniest indications of emotion, tries to strip the man to his essence," A. O. Scott wrote in The Times.

The New York Times - Arts

The film, directed by Anton Corbijn from a script by Rowan Joffe, by "filtering out any mention of the character's history and suppressing all but the tiniest indications of emotion, tries to strip the man to his essence," A. O. Scott wrote in The New York Times.

The New York Times

The film, directed by Anton Corbijn from a script by Rowan Joffe, by "filtering out any mention of the character's history and suppressing all but the tiniest indications of emotion, tries to strip the man to his essence," A. O. Scott wrote in The Times.

The New York Times

She names a number after the tiniest pause -- an indication of either a downgrade in the number or a self-censorial check as to whether price should ever be mentioned (a WASP thing I know only too well).

The New York Times - Magazine

There have been, since then, three years of tiny shifts, tiny increments of progress, tiny indications that Shurvon's brain could somehow — to some unknown degree — heal.

The New York Times - Magazine

Unfortunately, simulations can cover only a tiny, tiny fraction of the universe of possible evolutionary scenarios.

BMC Biology

A tiny group of individuals.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a tiny indication of" to convey subtlety and nuance, especially when describing minimal evidence or faint possibilities. Ensure the context supports the idea that the indication is indeed small and perhaps easily overlooked.

Common error

Avoid using "a tiny indication of" when the evidence is actually substantial. Using it in such cases can undermine your credibility by making the indication seem less important than it is.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tiny indication of" functions as a qualifier followed by a noun phrase, modifying the noun "indication". It emphasizes the subtlety and limited nature of the sign or hint being described. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a tiny indication of" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a subtle or minimal sign of something. According to Ludwig, the phrase is usable in written English and suggests cautious interpretation. It appears in news, scientific, and general contexts. While the phrase isn't very common, its presence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian validates its usage. When using "a tiny indication of", ensure that the context accurately reflects the minimal nature of the evidence and that you are not overstating the significance of the indication. Alternative phrases like "a slight hint of" or "a faint trace of" can be used to express a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight suggestion of

Changes "indication" to "suggestion", implying an even more subtle hint.

a faint trace of

Replaces "indication" with "trace", emphasizing minimal evidence.

a subtle sign of

Substitutes "tiny" with "subtle" and "indication" with "sign", focusing on understated signals.

a hint of

Simplifies the phrase to its most basic form, indicating a clue.

a glimmer of

Replaces "indication" with "glimmer", suggesting a faint, hopeful sign.

a shade of

Uses "shade" to express a slight degree or hint of something.

a whisper of

Implies an almost imperceptible indication.

a small piece of evidence suggesting

Expands the phrase to explicitly state the presence of evidence.

the faintest suggestion of

Adds emphasis on how barely perceptible suggestion can be

a soupçon of

It's a french loanword indicating a small trace, very subtle.

FAQs

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

You can use "a tiny indication of" to suggest a subtle hint or minimal evidence, like: "The data provided "a tiny indication of" progress, but further research is needed."

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

Alternatives include "a slight hint of", "a faint trace of", or "a subtle sign of", which all convey a similar sense of minimal evidence.

Is it appropriate to use "a tiny indication of" in formal writing?

Yes, "a tiny indication of" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when precision and nuance are required. However, consider the context and whether a more direct phrase might be clearer.

What is the difference between "a tiny indication of" and "strong evidence of"?

"A tiny indication of" suggests minimal support or evidence, while "strong evidence of" implies significant and compelling support. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the strength of the evidence.