an indicator that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an indicator that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to suggest that something serves as a sign or signal of a particular condition or situation. Example: "The increase in temperature is an indicator that climate change is affecting our planet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

KPI is an indicator that reflects network performance.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Bollinger Band width is an indicator that helps to measure the volatility of financial assets.

Forbes

The number of beds is an indicator that reflects the size of the hospital.

Health Economics Review

They serve as an indicator that.

BMJ Open

Above the button, there will be an indicator that shows the type of beverage.

WikiHow

This is an indicator that progress is being made, but the job is far from over.

The New York Times

The victory was seen as an indicator that 2008 marked an electoral realignment.

The New Yorker

To some, the extraordinary volatility is an indicator that the market will soon turn.

The New York Times

It's an indicator that you do not have good enough cycling infrastructure".

The Guardian

Dreaming about specific things may be an indicator that they're yet to be resolved.

Columbia University

In my experience, meetings being ineffective is often an indicator that they shouldn't be occurring.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an indicator that" when you want to emphasize a piece of information as a sign or signal of something else. Ensure the indicator clearly relates to the situation or condition you are describing.

Common error

Avoid using "an indicator that" in simple sentences where a more direct verb like "shows" or "suggests" would be more concise and effective. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an indicator that" functions as a noun phrase that introduces a clause specifying what is being indicated. It acts as a subject complement or a linking device, connecting a subject to a condition, situation, or trend. As shown by Ludwig, this structure is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

39%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an indicator that" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase employed to signal a relationship between a piece of information and a broader understanding or conclusion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, from news reports to scientific papers, though it should be used judiciously to avoid unnecessary verbosity. Related phrases include "a sign that" and "evidence that". While the phrase enjoys broad applicability, writers should consider more concise alternatives like "suggests that" when appropriate. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science sources, this expression serves as a valuable tool for establishing causal or correlative relationships within written communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a sign that

This alternative is a more direct and common synonym, replacing "indicator" with "sign".

a signal that

This alternative emphasizes the communicative aspect of the indicator, suggesting it sends a message.

evidence that

This alternative highlights the role of the indicator as proof or support for a claim.

suggests that

This is a more concise alternative, replacing the entire phrase with a verb that conveys the same meaning.

implies that

This alternative emphasizes that the indicator suggests something indirectly or without explicitly stating it.

a symptom of

This alternative is often used in medical or diagnostic contexts, suggesting the indicator is a manifestation of an underlying condition.

points to

This alternative is a more informal way of saying something indicates a particular outcome.

a clue that

This alternative indicates that the indicator provides a hint or piece of information towards understanding something.

a reflection of

This alternative suggests that the indicator mirrors or represents something else.

a harbinger of

This alternative suggests the indicator is a sign of something to come in the future.

FAQs

How can I use "an indicator that" in a sentence?

Use "an indicator that" to introduce a fact or observation that suggests something else is happening or likely to happen. For example: "The rising unemployment rate is "an indicator that" the economy is slowing down."

What are some alternatives to "an indicator that"?

You can use alternatives like "a sign that", "a signal that", or "evidence that" depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "an indicator that" or "indicates that"?

The choice depends on your sentence structure. "An indicator that" functions as a noun phrase, while "indicates that" is a verb phrase. For example: "The data is "an indicator that"..." versus "The data indicates that...".

When is it appropriate to use "an indicator that" in formal writing?

"An indicator that" is suitable for formal writing when you need to precisely identify something as a sign or symptom. Ensure that your usage is clear and contributes to the overall argument or explanation.