as a cue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a cue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something serves as a signal or prompt for action or response. Example: "The teacher used the bell as a cue for the students to start packing their bags."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"He's bald as a cue ball," she said.

The New York Times

Sampras didn't take it as a cue, though.

The New York Times - Sports

The film served as a cue for tooth-brushing.

The New York Times

But Dr. Holcombe said that using branch angle as a cue was far simpler.

The New York Times

Take that as a cue to share it with friends – they'll thank you for it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I've moved my leg when I shouldn't have, and he's taken it as a cue".

The New York Times

The older two would take this as a cue for the inevitable and get up.

The Guardian

Maybe they've gone full Brazilian and are bald as a cue ball.

The Guardian - Opinion

This suggests that language can serve as a cue to bring forward different selves". via ScienceDaily).

The Economist

"You quickly realize that for them, it is as a cue".

The New York Times - Science

When Virgin team leader Rachel came on the Tannoy, they took the interruption as a cue.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as a cue" to clearly signal that something serves as a trigger for a specific action or response. It adds clarity and direction to your writing.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "cue", which means a signal or prompt, with "queue", which refers to a line of people or things waiting. Using the wrong word can drastically change the meaning of your sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a cue" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a verb or noun. It indicates that something serves as a signal or prompt for a subsequent action or understanding. Ludwig examples show its use in contexts ranging from scientific studies to everyday observations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

46%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as a cue" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate that something serves as a signal or prompt for a subsequent action or response. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. It's prevalent in both scientific and journalistic contexts. Alternatives like "as a signal" and "as a prompt" offer similar meanings, allowing for nuanced expression. When using "as a cue", ensure clarity by establishing a distinct cause-and-effect relationship to aid comprehension. Avoiding confusion with homophones like "queue" is crucial for maintaining accuracy in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a signal

Replaces "cue" with "signal", emphasizing the suggestive nature of the prompt.

as a prompt

Substitutes "cue" with "prompt", highlighting the action-inducing aspect.

as an indication

Replaces "cue" with "indication", focusing on the suggestive nature of the stimulus.

as a trigger

Substitutes "cue" with "trigger", emphasizing the cause-and-effect relationship.

as a sign

Replaces "cue" with "sign", indicating a more general signal or omen.

as a stimulus

Replaces "cue" with "stimulus", suitable in scientific or formal contexts.

as a reminder

Substitutes "cue" with "reminder", highlighting the memory-jogging function.

as a clue

Replaces "cue" with "clue", suggesting a hint or piece of information.

as a go-ahead

Substitutes "cue" with "go-ahead", suggesting a permission to proceed.

as an incentive

Replaces "cue" with "incentive", emphasizing motivation for an action.

FAQs

How can I use "as a cue" in a sentence?

You can use "as a cue" to indicate that something serves as a signal or prompt for a particular action. For example, "The bell served as a cue for the students to change classes."

What's a simple way to explain the meaning of "as a cue"?

It means to use something as a signal or prompt to initiate a specific action or behavior. You might "take something as a cue" to begin a new task.

What can I say instead of "as a cue"?

You can use alternatives like "as a signal", "as a prompt", or "as an indication" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between using "as a cue" and "as a sign"?

While both imply something is being indicated, "as a cue" suggests a direct prompt for a specific action, whereas "as a sign" is a more general indicator or omen.