as a indicator

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a indicator" is not correct; it should be "as an indicator." You can use it when referring to something that serves as a sign or measure of a particular condition or quality.
Example: "The rising temperatures can be seen as an indicator of climate change."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

In various microorganisms the intracellular ROS level increases significantly when the cells are challenged by oxidative stress or toxic substances, including butanol [25], [26], [27], [28], [29], indicating that ROS can be used as a indicator of cellular intolerance toward toxic compounds.

Plosone

Both Republicans and Democrats said that for many voters, the course Mr. Bush charts would be interpreted as a indicator of the extent to which he feels bound to the right or, alternately, is willing to reach toward the center.

The New York Times

The UK 1 pence piece acts as a indicator of the field of view.

Chemistry Central Journal

The first and most important is their use of life satisfaction as a indicator, while I use SWB.

IZA Journal of Labor Economics

Membrane sensor was used as a indicator electrode for determination of end point in potentiometric titration of Gd (III) ion with EDTA.

Electrochimica Acta

The move was viewed by many -- including investors -- as a indicator that the two firms will continue to receive billions in direct government support.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Investors treat reserves as an indicator of future revenues.

The Economist

This figure is notoriously unreliable as an indicator.

The Economist

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

The New Yorker

Cable's speech is seen as an indicator of what scientists can expect in the CSR.

The Guardian

Finally, what about the falling stock market itself as an indicator of recession risks?

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "as an indicator" instead of "as a indicator". The article "an" is used before words that begin with a vowel sound.

Common error

Avoid using "a" before words that begin with a vowel sound; always use "an". This is a common error that affects clarity and grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a indicator" is intended to function as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a verb or noun. However, it requires grammatical correction. As per Ludwig AI the right phrase is "as an indicator".

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as a indicator" is grammatically incorrect and should be corrected to ""as an indicator"". The error stems from using the incorrect article before a word beginning with a vowel sound. While the intended meaning – to signify something serving as a sign – may be clear, the grammatical error detracts from clarity and credibility. As highlighted by Ludwig, it's crucial to use precise language, particularly in formal and scientific contexts, to maintain professionalism and avoid confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as an indication

Replaces 'indicator' with its noun form 'indication', correcting the grammatical structure.

as a sign

Substitutes 'indicator' with the more common and direct term 'sign'.

as a measure

Replaces 'indicator' with 'measure', emphasizing the quantifiable aspect.

serving as a gauge

Uses 'gauge' to highlight the function of assessing or measuring something.

acting as a signal

Emphasizes the role of providing a signal or cue.

working as a marker

Focuses on identifying or highlighting a specific point or feature.

being a predictor

Highlights the capability to forecast future outcomes or trends.

functioning as a barometer

Implies an assessment of conditions relative to a standard or norm.

as a bellwether

Uses the term 'bellwether', which suggests something that leads or indicates a trend.

to indicate

Changes the structure to a verb phrase to explicitly show the act of indicating.

FAQs

What's the correct way to say something serves as a sign?

The correct phrase is "as "as an indicator"". The article "an" is used before words starting with a vowel sound.

Can I use "as a indicator" in formal writing?

No, "as a indicator" is grammatically incorrect. Use ""as an indicator"" instead to maintain formality and correctness.

What are some alternatives to saying "as an indicator"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "as a sign", "as a measure", or "as an indication".

How does using the wrong article affect the meaning of "as an indicator"?

While the meaning might still be understood, using "as a indicator" instead of ""as an indicator"" detracts from the credibility of your writing and can confuse readers.