advance sign

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "advance sign" is not commonly used in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where you are referring to a sign that indicates something will happen in the future or a sign that is provided ahead of time. Example: "The advance sign for the upcoming event was posted on the community board last week."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

One official who has read the report said counterterrorism officials regularly complained about the absence of human intelligence from the Afghanistan camps, saying that counterterrorism analysts were forced to rely on reports from foreign intelligence services, satellite imagery and intercepted communications, none of which detected any advance sign of the impending attacks.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Advance sign-up required.

The New York Times

No charge, but advance sign-up required.

The New York Times

Free but advance sign-up required.

The New York Times

Free, but advance sign-up is required.

The New York Times

Monday at 6 45 p.m. Free, but advance sign-up is required.

The New York Times

For Children BERNARDSVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY Teen Advisory Council meeting for ages 13 and older; no advance sign-up required.

The New York Times

The company's own job listings, for instance, have allowed Google watchers and followers to spot advance signs of everything from its online office suite to a possible foray into the travel business.

Forbes

Some experts have suggested that if someone starts showing advance signs of vCJD, you should lock them in a room and let them go violently insane until they die.

Vice

Now he is so confused, his brain showing rapidly advancing signs of dementia, that he thinks he sees his brother when he sees his reflection in the toilet water.

The New York Times

Recommendations for improved practice related to advance warning signs, guide signs, yield treatments, directional signs, and exit treatments are presented.

Accident Analysis & Prevention

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "advance sign", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you mean a sign displayed in advance, or an early indication of something. Clarity is key due to the phrase's ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "advance sign" when a more common phrase like "early indication" or "advance notice" would be clearer and less ambiguous. Consider your audience and the potential for misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "advance sign" functions primarily as a noun phrase, referring either to a warning or notice given ahead of time, or as an early indication of something. As seen in the Ludwig examples, it can denote both physical signage and abstract indicators.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "advance sign" is used to indicate a sign or indication given ahead of time. However, its usage is relatively rare, and Ludwig AI suggests that it can sometimes be ambiguous. It appears in various contexts, including news, scientific articles, and general informational content. For clearer communication, consider using alternatives such as "early indication", "advance notice", or "preliminary warning", depending on the specific context. Ensure that the intended meaning—whether it's a physical sign or an early indication—is clear to your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

early indication

Emphasizes the timing of the sign as being early or initial.

early warning

Focuses on the sign as a warning given in advance.

preliminary indication

Highlights that the sign is a first or initial indication.

preliminary warning

Combines the ideas of being both a warning and preliminary.

initial signal

Replaces "sign" with "signal", emphasizing a first sign.

early symptom

Specifically suggests an early sign of a condition or problem.

advanced warning

Focuses on a warning given ahead of time.

foresight signal

Highlights the sign's predictive quality.

advance notice

Similar, but focuses on prior notification.

impending sign

Emphasizes that the sign indicates something is about to happen.

FAQs

What does "advance sign" mean?

The phrase "advance sign" can refer to a sign that is displayed ahead of time, such as "advance warning signs" on a road, or it can refer to an early indication of something. Due to its ambiguity, it is often better to use clearer alternatives.

What can I say instead of "advance sign"?

You can use alternatives like "early indication", "advance notice", or "preliminary warning" depending on the context.

Is "advance sign" grammatically correct?

While not strictly incorrect, "advance sign" can be ambiguous and is less common than alternatives. Ludwig AI indicates that its usage is not as clear or widespread as other similar phrases.

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

Use "advance sign" to refer to something that indicates a future event or condition, ensuring that the context makes it clear whether it's a physical sign or an early indication. For instance, "The company's job listings can be an "advance sign" of their future plans".