as a signal of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a signal of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something serves as an indication or sign of another thing, often in a context of communication or behavior. Example: "The sudden drop in temperature acted as a signal of the approaching storm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"I see it as a signal of recovery".

The New York Times

His statements will be seen as a signal of wavering international support, they said.

The New York Times

Can tension in a graphic contour be read as a signal of rage or suicidal pain?

The New York Times - Arts

"This is likely to be interpreted by the public as a signal of government crisis rather than a fresh start".

The New York Times

Mr. Sharon's office was silent about the president's invitation, in what was widely interpreted as a signal of disapproval.

The New York Times

I had been afraid that he would interpret my choosing this subject as a signal of my wishes.

The New York Times - Magazine

"However harmless and prudent and careful that is, some people will interpret it as a signal of potential stress.

The Guardian - Business

Steve DeAngelo, Harborside's executive director, hailed the move as a signal of "the beginning of the end of federal prohibition".

The Guardian

Among the newly furless humans, bare skin would have served, like the peacock's tail, as a signal of fitness.

The New York Times - Science

Some saw it as a signal of more consolidation among online financial companies that are too small to compete effectively.

The New York Times

"It's kind of interesting, isn't it?" Mr. Trump's new supporters took his approach as a signal of support.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as a signal of" to clearly indicate that an event, action, or object is communicating a specific message or intention.

Common error

Avoid assuming a definitive interpretation when the "signal" is ambiguous. Always consider alternative explanations and provide context to clarify the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a signal of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or clause, indicating that something serves as an indicator or communication of something else. As Ludwig AI indicates, this usage is grammatically correct and common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as a signal of" is a versatile and commonly used prepositional phrase that indicates something serves as an indicator or sign. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media, it is also used in scientific and formal writing. This makes it a reliable choice for conveying that an event or action communicates a particular meaning. Remember to avoid misinterpreting ambiguous signals and to provide sufficient context for clarity. Consider using synonyms like ""as an indication of"" or ""as a sign of"" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as an indication of

Replaces "signal" with "indication", emphasizing the suggestive nature of the sign.

as a sign of

Substitutes "signal" with the more common synonym "sign".

indicative of

Uses an adjective form to convey that something serves as an indicator.

suggestive of

Highlights the implication or hint provided by something.

representative of

Indicates that something stands for or exemplifies something else.

demonstrative of

Emphasizes the act of showing or proving something.

as evidence of

Focuses on the role of something as proof or support.

pointing to

Uses a directional metaphor to suggest something leads to a conclusion.

as a harbinger of

Indicates something as a predictor or precursor.

attributable to

Highlights the connection as a cause of something.

FAQs

How can I use "as a signal of" in a sentence?

Use "as a signal of" to indicate that something serves as an indication or sign of something else. For example: "The company's investment in renewable energy can be seen "as a signal of" its commitment to sustainability".

What are some alternatives to "as a signal of"?

You can use alternatives such as "as an indication of", "as a sign of", or "indicative of", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "as a signal of" in formal writing?

"As a signal of" is appropriate in formal writing when you want to emphasize the communicative aspect of an event or action. It suggests that something is intentionally conveying a message, making it suitable for analytical or explanatory contexts.

What's the difference between "as a signal of" and "as a result of"?

"As a signal of" indicates that something communicates or suggests something else, while "as a result of" indicates a cause-and-effect relationship. The former is about conveying meaning, the latter is about causation.