be to indicate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be to indicate" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where you want to express that something is meant to signify or show something else, but it is not commonly used. Example: "The results of the survey are to indicate the preferences of the participants."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"To return the money or to recuse himself would be to indicate that he had acted improperly in the first place by accepting the donations.

The New York Times

Established psychological and biographical interests may wince at such inadequacies of recall, if not actual deprival; but Cooper's aim seems to be to indicate the blanks and spaces, the absences as well as the adsums of memory's roll-call.

The Guardian

One strategy might be to indicate that the E.C.B. had identified a fair value that it wanted to achieve for euro zone bond yields, even if the bank did not specify the number, Ms. Aranda-Hassel said.

The New York Times

What would be helpful would be to indicate what share of the increase in prices can't be explained by the supply of and demand for commodities.I still think it's telling that the recent surge in commodity prices began in July, when Chinese leaders reversed course on several growth-constricting policies, rather than in early September, when a new round of QE began to seem likely.

The Economist

A valuable addition would be to indicate variation frequencies in ethnically diverse populations.

BMC Genomics

A goal of our research should be to indicate weaknesses of new technology to their providers.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

I was to indicate what I wanted.

The New Yorker

Presumably this was to indicate just how cool he is.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The capitals are to indicate where he was shouting for effect.

The Guardian - Sport

To suggest otherwise is to indicate a lack of familiarity with our work.

The New York Times - Arts

On both occasions subsequent events were to indicate that plots had already been lost.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be to indicate", consider whether a more direct verb like "show", "suggest", or "demonstrate" would improve clarity and flow.

Common error

Avoid overusing "be to indicate" in formal writing; it can sound stilted. Opt for stronger, more concise verbs to convey your meaning effectively.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "be to indicate" is to express purpose or intention. It connects a subject with an action intended to signify something, as seen in Ludwig examples like "A goal of our research should be to indicate weaknesses of new technology."

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

60%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be to indicate" serves to express the intended meaning or purpose of something, functioning as a way to clarify what a particular action or sign is meant to convey. As Ludwig AI indicates, its grammatical status is acceptable, although it is not the most common phrasing. It appears more frequently in news and scientific contexts. When writing, consider whether a more direct verb might enhance clarity. Alternatives such as "is intended to signify" or "serves to demonstrate" may offer a stronger, more concise way to express the same idea.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is intended to signify

This alternative directly replaces the original with a more common phrasing focusing on intention.

is meant to represent

This alternative replaces "indicate" with "represent", emphasizing the act of standing for something else.

serves to demonstrate

This alternative uses "demonstrate" instead of "indicate", highlighting the act of proving something.

functions as a sign of

This emphasizes the role of being a sign, replacing the more direct "indicate".

aims to reveal

This alternative focuses on the purpose of uncovering or disclosing something.

is designed to show

This emphasizes the designed purpose of displaying something.

is used to denote

This is more formal, replacing "indicate" with the more precise "denote".

suggests that

This alternative is more subtle, implying rather than directly stating.

points to

This alternative uses a more directional metaphor for indication.

conveys the idea of

This alternative shifts the focus to the transmission of an idea.

FAQs

What does "be to indicate" mean?

The phrase "be to indicate" suggests that something is intended to signal, show, or make something else evident. It's often used to explain the purpose or function of a sign, symbol, or action.

How can I use "be to indicate" in a sentence?

You can use "be to indicate" to explain the purpose or function of something. For example, "The red light is to indicate a fault in the system."

What are some alternatives to "be to indicate"?

Alternatives include "is intended to signify", "is meant to represent", or "serves to demonstrate", depending on the specific context.

Is "be to indicate" formal or informal?

While grammatically correct, "be to indicate" can sound somewhat formal or stilted. In many cases, a more direct verb like "show", "suggest", or "demonstrate" may be preferable. Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing.