any sign of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "any sign of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when inquiring about the presence or indication of something, often in a context of concern or curiosity. Example: "Is there any sign of improvement in his condition?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Any sign of him yet?" Ms. Hess asked.

The New York Times

Any sign of that coming together?

The Guardian - Music

"Not any sign of human life.

The New York Times

She doesn't show any sign of it.

The Guardian - Books

The ECB, however, growls at any sign of weakness.

The Economist

Is there any sign of truce or reconciliation?

The Economist

Nowhere was there any sign of Blanchett's line of work.

The New Yorker

"I never saw any sign of it," Kim said.

The New York Times - Arts

Do voter lists show any sign of tampering?

The Economist

He has not seen any sign of Jeter slowing down.

The New York Times

Nor is there any sign of her stopping.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "any sign of", ensure the context clearly defines what you are looking for. For example, "Is there "any sign of" improvement in the patient's condition?"

Common error

While "any sign of" is versatile, overuse in formal writing can make your text sound less sophisticated. Consider alternatives like "is there any evidence of" or "is there any indication of" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "any sign of" functions as an interrogative determiner followed by a noun phrase. It's used to inquire about the existence or presence of something, as shown by Ludwig. The phrase sets up a question or condition related to finding evidence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "any sign of" is a versatile and commonly used expression to inquire about the presence or indication of something. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions primarily as an interrogative phrase and is suitable for various contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific and business communications. While generally neutral in tone, you might opt for more formal alternatives like "any indication of" in certain situations. The phrase's frequency across diverse sources underscores its widespread acceptance and utility in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

any indication of

Replaces "sign" with "indication", emphasizing a hint or suggestion.

any evidence of

Substitutes "sign" with "evidence", focusing on concrete proof or verification.

any trace of

Uses "trace" instead of "sign", suggesting a small or subtle indication.

any hint of

Replaces "sign" with "hint", implying a slight or indirect suggestion.

any manifestation of

Substitutes "sign" with "manifestation", emphasizing a clear or outward display.

any suggestion of

Uses "suggestion" instead of "sign", indicating a possible or indirect indication.

any semblance of

Replaces "sign" with "semblance", focusing on an apparent or superficial likeness.

any glimpse of

Substitutes "sign" with "glimpse", emphasizing a brief or partial view.

any inkling of

Uses "inkling" instead of "sign", implying a vague or uncertain idea.

any whisper of

Replaces "sign" with "whisper", suggesting a faint or subtle indication.

FAQs

How can I use "any sign of" in a sentence?

You can use "any sign of" to inquire about the presence or indication of something. For example, "Is there "any sign of" progress on the project?" or "Did the doctor find "any sign of" infection during the examination?"

What are some alternatives to "any sign of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "any indication of", "any evidence of", or "any trace of".

Is "any sign of" formal or informal?

"Any sign of" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, you might prefer alternatives like "any indication of".

What does "any sign of" imply?

"Any sign of" implies a search or inquiry for some indication, evidence, or manifestation of something. It often suggests a degree of uncertainty or concern.