as a sign

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a sign" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to express an indication that something is true, especially when something is symbolically or ceremonially done to signify something. For example, "He kissed her as a sign of his love."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ms. Rothchild read that as a sign.

The New York Times

Mr. Goering took that as a sign.

The New York Times

seen as a sign.

The New Yorker

And he took it as a sign.

The New York Times - Magazine

The gesture was not taken as a sign of openness, but as a sign of weakness".

The New York Times

Bubbles as a sign of being "natural fermented" is incorrect.

Harvard University

Now, interpret the input as a "sign and magnitude" number.

University of California, Berkeley

Long story short: Farrin saw it as a sign.

Princeton University

I'll take that as a sign to stop procrastinating.

The New York Times

But don't interpret that as a sign of creative stagnation.

The New York Times - Arts

(Krazy, in naïveté, interprets this as a sign of ardor).

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as a sign" to clearly indicate that something is symbolic or indicative of something else, enhancing the reader's understanding of the intended meaning.

Common error

While "as a sign" is generally acceptable, overuse in formal writing can make your text sound repetitive. Consider alternatives like "indicating" or "symbolizing" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a sign" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces an explanation or interpretation of an event, object, or action. As Ludwig AI explains, it indicates that something is symbolic or representative.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as a sign" serves as a common and versatile tool to indicate symbolism or representation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used. While it appears most frequently in News & Media, its presence is also notable in Academia and other sources. To enhance your writing, consider varying your phrasing with alternatives like "indicating" or "symbolizing", especially in formal contexts to avoid redundancy. By understanding its function, purpose, and appropriate usage, you can effectively incorporate "as a sign" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as an indicator of

More technical and explicit about the function of indicating.

signifying

A more direct and less nuanced synonym for indicating or representing.

serving as an indication

This is a more formal and verbose way of saying "as a sign".

representing

A direct and concise way of stating that something symbolizes something else.

a mark of

Indicates that something is characteristic or indicative of something else.

being symbolic of

This phrase emphasizes the symbolic representation of something.

demonstrating

Focuses on the act of showing or proving something.

a testament to

Implies a more profound and enduring indication of something.

an emblem of

Emphasizes that something serves as a symbol for a quality or concept.

in token of

A more formal and sometimes archaic way to express a sign or symbol.

FAQs

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

You can use "as a sign" to indicate that something represents or symbolizes something else. For example, "The white flag was raised "as a sign" of surrender."

What are some alternatives to "as a sign"?

Alternatives include "representing", "indicating", or "symbolizing depending" on the specific context.

Is it better to use "as a sign of" or just "as a sign"?

Both are correct, but "as a sign of" is often used when indicating a specific attribute or emotion, such as "as a sign of respect". "As a sign" can be used more generally to indicate a symbolic representation.

Can "as a sign" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "as a sign" is acceptable in formal writing, but it's important to use it judiciously and consider more sophisticated alternatives like "indicative of" or "symbolic of" to avoid repetition.