an indication of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an indication of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to suggest that something serves as a sign or signal of a particular condition or situation. Example: "The rising temperatures are an indication of climate change affecting our planet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's an indication of our commitment".

The New York Times

"It is an indication of more conviction".

The New York Times

That's an indication of positive change.

University of California, Berkeley

It was an indication of Shelvey's influence.

The Guardian - Sport

Hopefully, tonight was an indication of that".

The New York Times - Sports

It gives an indication of the losses.

The Guardian

That is an indication of patience.

The New York Times

There was also an indication of concern.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is an indication of interfacial saturation.

Polymer

"It was an indication of the end of decay".

The New York Times

It's more an indication of a positive direction".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an indication of" to introduce signs, symptoms, or other suggestive factors, rather than definitive proof. This accurately conveys the level of certainty.

Common error

Avoid presenting something as "an indication of" if it's actually conclusive evidence. Using "an indication of" implies a degree of uncertainty or suggestiveness, not proof.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an indication of" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as a subject complement or object of a preposition. It serves to identify something as a sign or signal suggesting a particular state or condition, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an indication of" is a versatile phrase used to suggest a relationship between an observed sign and an underlying condition. As Ludwig highlights, it is grammatically correct and commonly used across a variety of contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and formal settings. While alternatives like "a sign of" or "evidence of" exist, "an indication of" offers a nuanced way to present suggestive, rather than conclusive, information. Therefore, be mindful of the context to ensure its accurate application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a sign of

Replaces "indication" with "sign", a more common and direct synonym.

a signal of

Substitutes "indication" with "signal", emphasizing the communicative aspect of the sign.

evidence of

Replaces "indication" with "evidence", highlighting the supporting nature of the sign.

a hint of

Uses "hint" instead of "indication", suggesting a subtle or indirect sign.

a symptom of

Employs "symptom" to indicate a sign of an underlying condition or problem.

a measure of

Suggests the sign provides a quantitative assessment.

a demonstration of

Highlights the exhibiting or showing aspect of the sign.

a reflection of

Implies the sign mirrors or represents something else.

a token of

Conveys the sign is a symbolic representation.

a clue to

Replaces "indication" with "clue", suggesting that the sign helps to solve a mystery.

FAQs

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

Use "an indication of" to suggest that something serves as a sign or signal of a particular condition or situation. For example, "The rising sea levels are "an indication of" climate change."

What are some alternatives to "an indication of"?

You can use alternatives like "a sign of", "a signal of", or "evidence of" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "indication of" or "indicative of"?

"Indication of" refers to something that serves as a sign, while "indicative of" describes something that is characteristic or suggestive of something else. Choose the phrase that best fits the intended meaning.

What is the difference between "an indication of" and "a symptom of"?

"An indication of" is a general term for a sign or signal. "A symptom of" is more specifically a sign of a disease or disorder.