as merely indicative

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as merely indicative" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that serves as a sign or suggestion rather than a definitive statement or fact. Example: "The results of the survey are as merely indicative of the general sentiment among the population."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

They should be considered as merely indicative of likely relations between BMI and sexual activity and health.

British Medical Journal

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Some of the submissions are not firm, merely "indicative" bids that will serve as holding operations.

The Economist

At this time, calculations are merely indicative and many facts still need to be investigated, as mentioned above.

BMC International Health and Human Rights

My list is, of course, merely indicative.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ferocity of competitiveness among rival poets is neither telling nor tension-producing in this piece, merely indicative of arrested development.

The New York Times

But the biggest limit on Parliament's control is the fact that the votes are merely indicative.

The New Yorker

The 499-point one-day rise in the Dow Jones Industrial Average on March 16th was merely indicative of a volatility that has become increasingly familiar.

The Economist

The examples elaborated on below are merely indicative and are not intended to be exhaustive.

Crime Science

Note the indexes in the diagrams are merely indicative and should not be interpreted in a quantitative way.

Brain Informatics

Interruptions are merely indicative of the need for constant communication and coordination in the complex ecosystem that is healthcare [28].

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Furthermore, it seems indispensable that the programming visions must not be merely indicative, i.e. too abstract or vague.

City, Territory and Architecture

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as merely indicative", ensure the context clearly establishes that further investigation or analysis is required for a definitive conclusion. This clarifies that the information provided is preliminary and not conclusive.

Common error

Avoid presenting information "as merely indicative" as a final answer. Always emphasize that additional steps or data are necessary for a complete understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as merely indicative" functions as a qualifier, limiting the strength of an assertion. As noted by Ludwig AI, it suggests that something serves as a sign or suggestion rather than a definitive statement or fact. It tempers claims, indicating that further investigation is warranted.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as merely indicative" is a phrase used to temper claims and indicate that information is preliminary rather than conclusive. As Ludwig AI explains, it signals a sign or suggestion needing further exploration. Although grammatically correct, its usage is relatively rare, predominantly appearing in scientific and news contexts. Remember, it's crucial to avoid overstating conclusions when using this phrase, emphasizing the need for further investigation. Alternative phrases such as ""as simply suggestive"" can provide similar meaning with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as simply suggestive

Replaces "merely indicative" with "simply suggestive", emphasizing the suggestive nature more directly.

as only suggestive

Similar to "as simply suggestive", but uses "only" for a slightly different nuance.

as just representative

Shifts the focus from indication to representation, implying the phrase provides a sample or example.

as purely suggestive

Emphasizes the suggestive nature using "purely", suggesting no other purpose.

as tentatively indicative

Adds a sense of tentativeness or uncertainty to the indication.

as provisionally indicative

Similar to tentatively indicative, highlighting the provisional nature of the indication.

as potentially indicative

Highlights the potential for indication, but not a guarantee.

as possibly suggestive

Emphasizes the possibility of suggestion rather than a firm indication.

as a potential sign

Simplifies the phrase by using "potential sign" to convey the indicative meaning.

as a preliminary indication

Specifies that the indication is preliminary, suggesting further investigation is needed.

FAQs

How can I use "as merely indicative" in a sentence?

Use "as merely indicative" to show that something provides a sign or suggestion, but is not definitive. For example, "The initial findings are "as merely indicative" of a larger trend, requiring further investigation."

What phrases are similar to "as merely indicative"?

Similar phrases include "as simply suggestive", "as just representative", or "as potentially indicative", which all convey a sense of something being a sign or preliminary signal rather than a confirmed fact.

Is it better to say "as merely indicative" or "is indicative of"?

The choice depends on the context. "Is indicative of" suggests a stronger correlation, while "as merely indicative" emphasizes the preliminary and non-conclusive nature of the information. For instance, if data is limited, "as merely indicative" would be more appropriate.

When should I avoid using "as merely indicative"?

Avoid using "as merely indicative" when you have conclusive evidence or when the context requires a strong assertion. This phrase is best suited for situations where you want to highlight the tentative nature of your findings.