as a sign of something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a sign of something" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that an action, event, or object serves as an indication or representation of a particular idea or condition. Example: "The sudden drop in temperature was seen as a sign of the approaching storm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

He uses food as a sign of something else.

The New Yorker

Or as a sign of something more basic.

The Guardian - Arts

The outpouring made headlines, as a sign of something unthinkable before the crisis hit.

The New York Times

Afterward, they used a leaf blower to disperse any feathers — anything that the remaining turkeys of Santa Cruz might interpret as a sign of something amiss.

The New Yorker

But many see the Barlow book, in particular, as a sign of something new and different: Bloomsbury using its cash to muscle in on the mass-market territory of supermarket retailing.

The Guardian

They will interpret Wade's inability to exploit the defensive switch that left the vulnerable Stoudemire on him  —   "I lost control of the ball and had to take it out for 3," Wade said  —   as a sign of something, anything, that might bring them back to the Garden on Friday night.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Searching for silver linings, some argued that what their liberal base saw as capitulation was actually a sign of something the Senate has not experienced in years — bipartisanship.

The Washington Post

Edgar had to pay about half his salary to Valerie to cover his share of the mortgage on the house and the part of Harold's schooling that wasn't paid for by the scholarship, so he and Lottie were pretty hard up, but at first they carried this off, too, as if it were a sign of something rare and fine.

The New Yorker

"If people see animal cruelty taking place it is important to report these incidents as it could be a sign of something much worse," he said.

BBC

If you wound seems to be healing abnormally slowly, check with a medical professional, as it could be a sign of something more serious, like an illness.

WikiHow

But if you notice pain after eating hot or cold foods that lasts more than 30 seconds, you should see your dentist, as it is likely a sign of something more serious.[6].

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as a sign of something", ensure the connection between the sign and what it represents is clear to the reader. Context is key to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid stacking multiple instances of "as a sign of something" within a single sentence. This can make the sentence convoluted and difficult to understand. Break down the sentence or rephrase for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a sign of something" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun, indicating that an action, event, or object serves to symbolize or represent something else. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as a sign of something" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate that one thing represents or symbolizes another. Ludwig AI confirms it as grammatically sound and appropriate for various writing contexts. It is most frequently encountered in news and media, serving to interpret events as indicators of broader trends or conditions. While generally neutral in tone, clarity is essential to avoid ambiguity when employing this phrase. Alternatives such as "indicative of" or "symbolic of" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. Remember to avoid overuse in complex sentences for a clearer and more effective writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an indication of something

Directly points out the role of indicating or making something known.

indicative of something

Focuses on the characteristic of indicating or pointing to something.

a symbol of something

Stresses the symbolic meaning or representation of something.

symbolic of something

Highlights the symbolic nature and representation.

representative of something

Emphasizes standing in for or typifying something else.

suggestive of something

Implies a subtle hint or suggestion of something.

evidence of something

Highlights the aspect of providing proof or confirmation.

a harbinger of something

Indicates something that foreshadows a future event.

a clue to something

Highlights the aspect of providing a hint towards understanding something.

a portent of something

Suggests a sign that warns of a future event, often negative.

FAQs

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

You can use "as a sign of something" to indicate that an event, action, or object represents a particular condition or idea. For example, "The early bloom of the cherry blossoms was seen as "an indication of spring"".

What are some alternatives to using "as a sign of something"?

Some alternatives include phrases like "indicative of something", "symbolic of something", or "representative of something", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "a sign for something" instead of "as a sign of something"?

While "a sign for something" can be correct in different contexts (e.g., "a sign for the bakery"), it doesn't carry the same meaning of representation as "as a sign of something". The latter implies a symbolic or indicative relationship.

How does "as a sign of something" differ from "because of something"?

"As a sign of something" indicates representation or indication, whereas "because of something" indicates causality. For example, "The cancelled flight was "due to the storm"" (causality) versus "The cancelled flight was seen as "as a sign of something" worse to come" (indication).