a valid clue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a valid clue" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to a clue or piece of evidence that is considered to be reliable or true. Here is an example: "The detective carefully examined the crime scene, hoping to find a valid clue that would lead to the identity of the perpetrator."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Mn/A-Mn testing might provide a valid clue to the aetiology of fever in such infections.

Critical Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

This is a valid clue and a motivating factor that these differences in the decomposition patterns if quantified using TF decomposition parameters could be used as discriminating features for classifying audio signals.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

The envelope (temporal structures) [47] of an audio signal provides valid clues such as rhythmic structure [41], indirect pitch content [41], phonetic composition [48], tonal and transient contributions.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

However, while this has proven to be a valid approach to finding clues about pathogenesis as well as to identifying potential biomarkers [ 13- 16], a number of challenges and limitations exist.

BMC Biology

A valid enough excuse.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It's a valid question.

The New Yorker

I had a valid passport.

The New York Times

"A valid point," Alec said.

The New Yorker

That is a valid point.

The New York Times

Is that a valid argument?

The New York Times

It's a valid point.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing a mystery or investigative piece, use "a valid clue" to emphasize the reliability of a piece of information leading to a solution. It conveys that the clue is not misleading or a red herring.

Common error

Avoid presenting every clue as "a valid clue" as this can dilute the impact when a truly significant clue is discovered. Reserve the phrase for clues that have been verified or confirmed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a valid clue" functions as a noun phrase, where "valid" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "clue". This phrase typically identifies a piece of information that is considered reliable and pertinent to solving a problem or mystery. The examples provided by Ludwig confirm this usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a valid clue" is a noun phrase used to describe a reliable and relevant piece of information, often in the context of problem-solving or investigation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While relatively rare in occurrence, the phrase is versatile and appears across various contexts, including scientific, news, and business communications. It's important to use the phrase judiciously to maintain its impact, reserving it for truly significant and verified clues. Alternatives such as ""a reliable indication"" or ""a legitimate lead"" offer similar meanings while providing variety in expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a reliable indication

Focuses on the dependability of the hint, rather than its outright validity.

a sound piece of evidence

Replaces "clue" with "evidence" for a more formal tone, highlighting the strength of the evidence.

a legitimate lead

Emphasizes the legitimacy of the lead, suggesting it's officially recognized or accepted.

a credible sign

Highlights the trustworthiness of the sign, implying it can be believed.

a tenable suggestion

Replaces "clue" with "suggestion", indicating a possible but not definitive hint.

a plausible indicator

Stresses the believability of the indicator, suggesting it's reasonable but not certain.

a solid hint

Emphasizes the strength of the clue, implying it's substantial and helpful.

a factual pointer

Replaces "clue" with "pointer", indicating something that directs attention to something specific.

a correct implication

Suggests that what is implied is accurate and true.

an authentic signal

Highlights the genuineness of the signal, suggesting it's real and not fake.

FAQs

How can I use "a valid clue" in a sentence?

You can use "a valid clue" to describe a piece of information that offers a reliable hint or direction. For example, "The detective considered the fingerprint "a valid clue" in solving the case".

What is a synonym for "a valid clue"?

Alternatives to "a valid clue" include "a reliable indication", "a legitimate lead", or "a credible sign". These phrases similarly suggest reliability and accuracy.

Is it redundant to say "a valid clue"?

While "clue" inherently suggests something helpful, using "valid" emphasizes the reliability and accuracy of that clue, suggesting it is not misleading. It's not strictly redundant but adds emphasis.

What's the difference between "a valid clue" and "a promising clue"?

"A valid clue" suggests the clue is confirmed or reliable, while "a promising clue" indicates potential usefulness but without confirmed reliability. The former is more certain, the latter more speculative.