an indication of something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an indication of something" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to express that something serves as a sign or signal of a particular situation, condition, or fact. Example: "The dark clouds are an indication of something brewing in the atmosphere, possibly a storm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

And 2010 was a backlash — or a Republican surge or whatever you want to call it — that may or may not be an indication of something long-lasting.

The New York Times

The battle lines (sometimes less literal than in Waco) that emerge in cities are often an indication of something more systemic bubbling beneath the surface.

The Guardian

Igarashi did give up one dangerously long fly ball to the warning track by Troy Tulowitzki, but he struck out Ryan Spilborghs and got Ian Stewart to ground out, then pumped his fist — an indication of something very important for Igarashi.

The New York Times - Sports

"People who have asthma are told to start swimming, because it forces them to breathe in a controlled way and it helps symptoms, so the fact so many swimmers have asthma is not an indication of something dodgy and nefarious," he says, "but we don't know because there is no baseline data.

The Guardian - Sport

Marty himself came to have misgivings about the notion of immanent objects and his term "content of judgment" in his main work must not be taken as an indication of something that actually or "intentionally" exists in consciousness.

SEP

In fact, if a bond is available in small lots, that can be an indication of something wrong: Maybe the institutions have gotten a whiff of trouble at the issuing company and are unloading its bonds.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

"Often these battles and trading of territory are talked about in exaggerated terms for various reasons, but right now we haven't seen any indications of something big or catastrophic".

Los Angeles Times

These types of participants thought of the breakup instead as a more unpredictable event, an indication of incompatibility, or something inevitable ("It happens to everyone at some point or another"). .

Huffington Post

Remember: the size of the advertisement (and presentation) is no judge of the quality of the class; it is only an indication of how well something is being marketed.

WikiHow

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Vice

He birdied No. 1, but the first indication of something special came at No. 3, when he poured in a 33-foot putt for birdie.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an indication of something" to introduce a subtle or indirect sign, rather than a direct proof or obvious signal. Consider the strength of the evidence you are presenting and choose a more forceful phrase if necessary.

Common error

While acceptable in most writing, overuse of "an indication of something" can make writing sound passive or vague. Replace with stronger, more direct verbs where possible to improve clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an indication of something" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or an object of a preposition. It introduces a piece of evidence or a sign that points towards a particular condition or situation. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an indication of something" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to suggest a sign or signal pointing towards a particular situation. As the Ludwig AI confirms, it is perfectly acceptable for use in written English. While versatile, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts. For stronger impact, consider replacing it with more direct alternatives. The phrase signals a potential link between observable evidence and a less obvious reality, but keep in mind there are some other options as alternatives for it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a sign of something

Replaces "indication" with the more common synonym "sign".

a signal of something

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

evidence of something

Replaces "indication" with "evidence", suggesting a stronger degree of proof.

a hint of something

Uses "hint" instead of "indication", implying a more subtle sign.

a suggestion of something

Employs "suggestion" in place of "indication", conveying a possible but not definite sign.

a symptom of something

Replaces "indication" with "symptom", often used in medical or problem-related contexts.

a reflection of something

Uses "reflection" to indicate that something mirrors or represents something else.

a demonstration of something

Substitutes "indication" with "demonstration", suggesting a clear showing of something.

a manifestation of something

Employs "manifestation" to indicate the appearance or display of something.

a harbinger of something

Replaces "indication" with "harbinger", implying that something is a precursor or herald of something else to come.

FAQs

What does "an indication of something" mean?

The phrase "an indication of something" means that there is a sign or signal suggesting the presence or existence of something else. It implies that what you are observing points towards a particular situation, condition, or fact.

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

You can use "an indication of something" to introduce a clue or a sign that points to something else. For example, "The rise in unemployment is "a sign of something" serious brewing in the economy."

What can I say instead of "an indication of something"?

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

Is it better to use "sign of something" or "an indication of something"?

Both ""a sign of something"" and "an indication of something" are correct and usable. "A sign of something" is generally more direct and common, while "an indication of something" can sometimes imply a more subtle or indirect suggestion.