can indicate that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'can indicate that' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to suggest or explain a cause-and-effect relationship between two ideas. For example: His refusal to accept the offer can indicate that he is feeling hesitant about the situation.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The results can indicate that system parameters increasing have positive or negative effects on the two sensitivity indexes.

Chinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering

Thus MKL can indicate that acquisition of certain types of data may not be necessary.

Bioinformatics

But they also can indicate that companies do not see other investments as very attractive.

The New York Times

Tasting sourness can indicate that food may not be at its best.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But different tests can indicate that different early cancers, or treatable precursors, may be present.

The New York Times - Science

Five interrelated "fault lines" can indicate that the ground beneath a company is unstable.

Harvard Business Review

Smiles can indicate that a commercial designed to be humorous is, indeed, funny.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

As a writer, you can indicate that in the text, but something that profound can only happen through the performance".

The New York Times

In patients with chronic heart failure, swelling or weight gain can indicate that they are retaining fluid.

The New York Times

But other mutations can indicate that a drug will not work, eliminating wasted time with ineffective treatments.

MIT Technology Review

A large number of inquiries can indicate that a person is searching for new credit, a factor that can present more risk to a lender.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "can indicate that", ensure the connection between the indicator and what it indicates is logical and supported by evidence. Avoid making unsubstantiated claims.

Common error

Avoid using "can indicate that" when the connection is a definite cause-and-effect relationship. Opt for stronger verbs like "proves" or "demonstrates" when the evidence is conclusive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can indicate that" functions as a modal verb phrase introducing a clause that suggests a potential, but not definitive, relationship or implication. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "can indicate that" serves as a versatile tool for suggesting potential relationships and interpretations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely applicable. Its frequent use in science and news media highlights its value in presenting informed yet cautious conclusions. When writing, remember to use this phrase to imply possible connections supported by logical evidence, not as a declarative statement of fact. Consider related phrases like "may suggest that" or "might imply that" to modulate the certainty of your claim.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

may suggest that

Replaces "can indicate" with "may suggest", softening the implication.

might imply that

Substitutes "can indicate" with "might imply", emphasizing a less direct connection.

could signify that

Uses "could signify" instead of "can indicate", giving a sense of symbolic representation.

potentially reveal that

Replaces "can indicate" with "potentially reveal", highlighting the possibility of uncovering information.

hint at the fact that

Uses "hint at the fact that" instead of "can indicate", suggesting a subtle clue.

tend to demonstrate that

Replaces "can indicate" with "tend to demonstrate", suggesting a general pattern.

is suggestive of

Rephrases as "is suggestive of", offering a more concise expression.

implies the possibility that

Expands to "implies the possibility that", clarifying the nature of the indication.

points toward the idea that

Uses "points toward the idea that" instead of "can indicate", suggesting a direction of thought.

serves as a sign that

Replaces "can indicate" with "serves as a sign", emphasizing the role of the subject as an indicator.

FAQs

How can I use "can indicate that" in a sentence?

Use "can indicate that" to suggest a potential relationship or implication between two things. For example, "A decrease in sales can indicate that customer satisfaction is declining".

What's the difference between "can indicate that" and "proves that"?

"Can indicate that" suggests a possibility, while "proves that" asserts a certainty. Use "can indicate that" when the evidence is suggestive but not definitive.

What can I say instead of "can indicate that"?

You can use alternatives like "may suggest that", "might imply that", or "could signify that" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "can be indicative of" instead of "can indicate that"?

Yes, "can be indicative of" is a grammatically correct alternative. However, "can indicate that" is often more concise and direct.