as a bellwether of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a bellwether of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate something that serves as an indicator or predictor of future trends or developments. Example: "The stock market often acts as a bellwether of the overall economy, reflecting investor sentiment and economic health."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

The campaign kickoff is being seen as a bellwether of larger national political trends.

The New York Times

Fashion has an uncanny knack for acting as a bellwether of changing times.

The New York Times

But it probably shouldn't be relied on as a bellwether of investor sentiment.

The New York Times

The panel is sometimes described as a bellwether of Congressional opinion.

The New York Times

The company is seen as a bellwether of global technology spending among corporations.

The New York Times - Tech

Supporters hailed the twin victories as a bellwether of a national policy change on the issue.

The Guardian

The stunning announcement, made more notable by G.E.'s status as a bellwether of the economy, shook Wall Street's confidence.

The New York Times

Nuneaton, a central English town seen as a bellwether of middle England delivered a 66% vote for leave.

The Guardian

That includes the idiosyncratic New York City mayor's race that few viewed as a bellwether of anything.

The New York Times

Nazi-hunters had depicted the prosecution of Mr. Csatary as a bellwether of Hungarian sentiment after the acquittal of Mr. Kepiro.

The New York Times

In a region long regarded as a bellwether of illegal immigration — where the flow of migrants has often seemed never-ending — the streets are wind-whipped and silent.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about the economy or political trends, consider using "as a bellwether of" to highlight the predictive nature of certain events or data points.

Common error

While "as a bellwether of" is a valid and useful phrase, it can sound overly formal or pretentious in casual conversation or informal writing. Choose simpler alternatives like "indicator" or "sign" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a bellwether of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or clause, indicating its role as a leading indicator or predictor. Ludwig examples show it's often used to describe entities or events that reflect broader trends, similar to how a bellwether sheep leads a flock.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as a bellwether of" is a prepositional phrase used to describe something that serves as a reliable indicator or predictor of future trends. Ludwig AI indicates its grammatical correctness and common usage, particularly in news and media, encyclopedias and scientific contexts. While suitable for formal writing, simpler alternatives may be preferable in casual settings. Source analysis confirms its frequent appearance in reputable publications like The New York Times and The Guardian, lending credibility to its usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as an indicator of

Focuses on the signal or sign aspect rather than the predictive power.

as a predictor of

Directly emphasizes the ability to foresee future events or trends.

as a harbinger of

Implies an omen or precursor, often suggesting a significant change is coming.

as a barometer of

Indicates something that reflects changes in conditions, like public opinion or economic climate.

as a leading indicator of

Emphasizes the temporal aspect, suggesting it precedes and foreshadows future developments.

as a sign of

A general term for something that indicates the presence or existence of something else.

as an index of

More formal and quantitative, suggesting a measurable correlation.

as a gauge of

Suggests a way to measure or assess something, often intangible.

as a precursor to

Highlights that something comes before and influences what follows.

as a herald of

Suggests something announces or signals the arrival of something important.

FAQs

How do you use "as a bellwether of" in a sentence?

You can use "as a bellwether of" to describe something that serves as an indicator or predictor of future trends. For example, "The company's stock performance is often seen as a bellwether of the overall health of the technology sector."

What are some alternatives to "as a bellwether of"?

Some alternatives include "as an indicator of", "as a predictor of", or "as a sign of", depending on the specific context.

Is "bellwether for" grammatically correct instead of "as a bellwether of"?

While "bellwether for" can be used, it typically refers to a leader or leading entity, not a general indicator. "As a bellwether of" is used to describe something that signals a future trend or condition. The meanings are subtly different.

In what contexts is "as a bellwether of" most appropriate?

"As a bellwether of" is most appropriate in formal writing, news reporting, and academic discussions where you want to emphasize the predictive capability of a particular event, trend, or entity. Using a simpler term like "indicator" might be better in casual settings.