as a positive indicator

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a positive indicator" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that suggests a favorable outcome or trend in a particular context. Example: "The increase in sales figures can be seen as a positive indicator of the company's growth potential."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Investors often see a decision by a company to buy back its own shares as a positive indicator.

The Economist

She said: "Their experience of the miners' strike was used as a positive indicator of their ability to police large crowds".An early day motion asking for the director of public prosecutions to deliver a full comprehensive inquiry into the policing of the miners' strike has so far attracted the support of 39 MPs.

The Guardian

Analysts and music executives pointed to the continued growth of digital music — and the expansion of streaming services like Spotify and MOG, whose revenue from advertising and subscriptions is not tracked by SoundScan — as the most promising signs for an industry in which hitting a low point is seen as a positive indicator.

The New York Times

Penicillin discs were used as a positive indicator.

International Nano Letters

Investors are viewing the purchase as a positive indicator of the company's future, sending the stock higher by 15.25 percent.

Forbes

Serial entrepreneurs can benefit from signaling effects as (new) investors tend to judge start-up experience as a positive indicator of entrepreneurial qualities (Hsu 2003, 2004).

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

It may be a positive indicator, as a decrease in myofibroblasts may indicate that the fibroblasts within the SIS-treated ACLs did not need to maintain the contractile phenotype as they experienced less strain within a larger cross-sectional area.

Journal of Experimental Orthopaedics

Is that a positive indicator?

The New York Times

The track record is not a positive indicator".

The New York Times

Singer Capital Markets said: "This anecdote should be seen as a significant positive indicator for Kingfisher (B&Q) and Home Retail (Homebase), which both Wintered substantial surplus cooling inventory after last Summer's dire weather".

The Guardian - Business

While FedEx's results are typically considered a bellwether for the United States economy, Daniel L. Ortwerth, transportation analyst with the Edward Jones investment firm, said he would "caution anyone to interpret these results as a strong positive indicator for the U.S". because FedEx's growth outlook focused on its services abroad.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as a positive indicator", ensure the context clearly defines what the indicator is pointing towards. Specificity enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid presenting something "as a positive indicator" if its impact is minimal or unconfirmed. Overstating its significance can mislead your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a positive indicator" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or clause, providing a specific interpretation or viewpoint regarding the subject at hand. Ludwig's examples showcase varied contexts, affirming its role in qualifying a statement with an optimistic outlook.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as a positive indicator" is a common and grammatically sound way to signal an optimistic outlook based on available evidence. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is used across various domains, including news, science, and business, with a neutral to professional tone. To effectively use this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines the indicator and that the interpreted significance is well-supported to prevent overstatement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a good sign

This alternative uses more common vocabulary. It is more general and can apply in a wider variety of situations.

as an encouraging signal

This alternative replaces 'positive' with 'encouraging' and 'indicator' with 'signal', highlighting the encouraging nature of the sign.

as a favorable omen

This alternative carries a more traditional connotation, suggesting a prediction of good fortune.

as a promising development

This alternative focuses on the aspect of progress and advancement that the indicator suggests.

as a harbinger of success

This alternative emphasizes the predictive quality, specifically related to achieving success.

as a bellwether for improvement

This alternative replaces 'indicator' with 'bellwether', implying the phrase is a leading sign of future changes for the better.

as a predictor of progress

This alternative directly states the predictive nature of the phrase in the context of progress.

as a reason for optimism

This alternative shifts the focus to the positive feelings or expectations that the indicator creates.

as a silver lining

This alternative is more metaphorical and emphasizes the hopeful aspect of an otherwise difficult situation.

as cause for hope

This alternative emphasizes the emotion of hope elicited by the positive indicator.

FAQs

How can I use "as a positive indicator" in a sentence?

You can use "as a positive indicator" to suggest a favorable outcome or trend. For example, "The increase in website traffic is seen "as a positive indicator" of growing interest in our products".

What can I say instead of "as a positive indicator"?

You can use alternatives like "as a good sign", "as an encouraging signal", or "as a promising development" depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to use "as a positive indicator"?

While grammatically correct, using "as a positive indicator" is most appropriate when the evidence strongly supports a favorable interpretation. Avoid using it for speculative or weakly supported claims.

What is the difference between "as a positive indicator" and "as a leading indicator"?

"As a leading indicator" refers to a specific type of metric that predicts future economic activity. While both suggest a positive trend, "as a positive indicator" is more general, whereas "as a leading indicator" refers specifically to forecasting economic trends.