an indication of when

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an indication of when" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a signal or sign that suggests a specific time or period for an event or action. Example: "The weather forecast provides an indication of when the storm is expected to arrive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

I had even given an indication of when.

The Guardian

"It's an indication of when the sauce is ready," he says.

The New York Times - Magazine

"People have made clear that the instability will come to an end if I gave an indication of when the next leadership elections will take place.

The Guardian

At the meeting, leaders were asked to make general remarks about the impact of the TPP on their economies and also give an indication of when the deal may be ratified in each jurisdiction.

The Guardian

The last round of bids for EMI were submitted to Citi earlier this month, but the people involved with the auction said that the bank had not given an indication of when it would make a decision.

The New York Times

"Once we've seen the size of the representations and the nature of the arguments then we'll give an indication of when it is likely that I'll announce a decision, but it's certainly is not going to be a matter of hours - nothing like that," he added.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Nor did he give any indication of when a U.S. attack on Syria would begin, or what it might consist of.

The New Yorker

Bears exhibited lower HRV, an indication of stress, when they were close to human settlements and especially during the berry season, when humans were more often in the forest, picking berries and hunting.

Physiology & Behavior

So the CheckLight aims to give an outward indication of when something damaging may have occurred, so that help can come quickly.

TechCrunch

"At this point," Mr. Smith said in a statement, "we don't have a clear indication of when we'll be able to resume a normal schedule".

The New York Times

"Sir John should give a general indication of when he's likely to publish," Campbell said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an indication of when" to subtly suggest or hint at a future time, rather than making a direct statement. It's useful when the exact timing is uncertain or not yet determined.

Common error

Avoid using "an indication of when" when you have precise dates or times. Opt for direct statements like "The meeting will be on July 15th" instead of using the phrase, which implies uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an indication of when" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or verb, providing information about the timing of an event or action. Ludwig highlights its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

42%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an indication of when" is a versatile phrase used to suggest or hint at the timing of an event, without being overly specific. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, including news, science, and general communication. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal settings. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure that you are indeed implying uncertainty, rather than possessing definite information about the timing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a sign of when

Replaces "indication" with "sign", offering a slightly more direct alternative.

a clue as to when

Substitutes "indication" with "clue", implying a hint or subtle suggestion about timing.

a forecast of when

Changes "indication" to "forecast", emphasizing a prediction about timing.

an estimate of when

Replaces "indication" with "estimate", highlighting an approximate timing.

an approximation of when

Substitutes "indication" with "approximation", indicating a less precise timing.

a prediction of when

Changes "indication" to "prediction", suggesting a forecast about timing.

an anticipation of when

Replaces "indication" with "anticipation", implying an expectation about timing.

a suggestion of when

Substitutes "indication" with "suggestion", offering a gentler hint about timing.

a projection of when

Changes "indication" to "projection", indicating a calculated guess about timing.

an idea of when

Replaces "indication" with "idea", offering a broader sense of understanding regarding timing.

FAQs

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

You can use "an indication of when" to suggest a potential timing for an event without being specific. For example, "The company provided "an indication of when" the product might launch, but no firm date."

What are some alternatives to "an indication of when"?

Alternatives include "a sign of when", "a clue as to when", or "an estimate of when", depending on the context and the degree of certainty you want to convey.

Is it better to be precise or use "an indication of when"?

It depends on the information you have. If you know the exact time, be precise. Use ""an indication of when"" only when you are suggesting a time frame without specific details.

What's the difference between "an indication of when" and "a confirmation of when"?

"An indication of when" suggests a possibility or likelihood, while "a confirmation of when" suggests a definite agreement or scheduling. The former is less certain than the latter.