as a clue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a clue" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to suggest that something can help with understanding, solving, or finding something else. For example: "A piece of paper with her name written on it was found at the scene - a possible clue as to who the suspect is."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Brian Smith Berlin, Germany "Blue" as a clue nine times?

The Guardian

We interpret this as a clue that franchising is also used as a financial capital source.

Journal of Business Venturing

Bone histology as a clue in the interpretation of functional adaptations in the Thalattosuchia (Reptilia, Crocodylia).

University of California, Berkeley

As a clue, you can try out NaturallySpeaking 11, which goes on sale Thursday.

The New York Times - Tech

But it includes a small amount of data that acts as a clue to its contents.

MIT Technology Review

Einstein sought simplicity as a clue to underlying truth, often referred to the "old one".

The New York Times - Science

Given that many bikes have had several owners, its usefulness as a clue may be limited.

The New York Times

Oligomycin sensitivity is universally recognized as a clue of the functional integrity and matching between F0 and F1.

Mitochondrion

We use the estimation of term co-occurrence probabilities as a clue for finding informative document pairs.

Data & Knowledge Engineering

β-Galactosidase activity and polyisoprenoid-linked intermediates of EPS biosynthesis were analyzed as a clue to postulate the mechanism.

Process Biochemistry

We explore deeper into the sand bores, sometimes following local fishermen as a clue to finding promising reefs.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as a clue", ensure the connection between the clue and what it reveals is clear to your audience. Provide enough context so the clue's significance is understood.

Common error

Avoid presenting something as "as a clue" if its relevance is tenuous or speculative. Overstating a clue's significance can weaken your argument or confuse your reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a clue" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb, noun, or clause. It indicates that something is being presented or considered as a piece of information that can help reveal or understand something else. The Ludwig AI considers this usage as correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as a clue" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate that something is being presented as a piece of information that helps in understanding or solving a problem. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across various domains. It appears most frequently in "News & Media", "Science", and "Academia", suggesting a neutral register suitable for diverse audiences. Remember to provide sufficient context when using "as a clue" to ensure the connection between the clue and what it reveals is clear. Avoid overstating the importance of weak clues to maintain the strength and credibility of your writing. Consider alternative phrases like "as an indicator" or "as a sign" for nuanced variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as an indicator

Replaces "clue" with "indicator", focusing on the act of pointing something out.

as a sign

Substitutes "clue" with "sign", suggesting a more direct or obvious indication.

as a hint

Uses "hint" instead of "clue", implying a more subtle piece of information.

as a guide

Replaces "clue" with "guide", emphasizing the role of leading or directing.

as an indication

Similar to "as an indicator" but slightly more formal.

as a key

Replaces "clue" with "key", suggesting something essential for understanding.

serving as a lead

Uses "lead" to emphasize the direction-providing aspect of the information.

acting as a signal

Substitutes "clue" with "signal", emphasizing the signaling aspect.

providing a glimpse

Focuses on the idea of offering a brief insight or preview.

offering insight

Highlights the function of providing understanding or comprehension.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "as a clue" in a sentence?

Use "as a clue" to highlight information that points towards a conclusion, solution, or understanding. For example: "The strange symbol found at the crime scene served "as a clue" to the killer's identity."

What are some alternatives to using "as a clue" in writing?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "as an indicator", "as a sign", or "as a hint" to convey a similar meaning with slightly different nuances.

Is it always necessary to explicitly state something is "as a clue"?

No, it's not always necessary. Sometimes the context makes it clear that something is intended as an indication or hint. However, explicitly stating "as a clue" can emphasize the significance of the information.

What's the difference between "as a clue" and "as evidence"?

"As a clue" suggests something that helps in solving a mystery or understanding a situation, while "as evidence" refers to something that supports a claim or proves a fact. Evidence provides more direct proof, whereas clues offer indirect indications.