earliest indicator

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "earliest indicator" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the first sign or signal of a particular event or trend. Example: "The earliest indicator of economic recovery is often an increase in consumer spending."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Conclusions: The RT-PCR for SLG RNA proved to be the earliest indicator of CMV infection in BMT patients demonstrating a sustained pattern of CMV detection during the 3 months post-transplant period.

Journal of Clinical Virology

A research team he led was the first to show that abnormal free radicals — groups of molecules with unpaired electrons — might be the earliest indicator of cancer in laboratory rats.

The New York Times

The HSBC flash purchasing managers' index this month, the earliest indicator of China's industrial activity, showed growth in the factory sector accelerating to a two-year high in January.

The New York Times

The flash P.M.I. is the earliest indicator of China's economic health each month and should not alter expectations that China, which has the world's second-largest economy, after that of the United States, is enjoying a gentle recovery, experts said.

The New York Times

The identification of WNV-positive birds has been shown to be the earliest indicator of WNV in an area [ 18].

BMC Infectious Diseases

Snail2 has been shown to be the earliest indicator of delaminating cells in the epithelium (Nieto et al., 1994).

Development (Cambridge)

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

These reductions were the earliest indicators of TH synthesis inhibition.

Aquatic Toxicology

The board's picks are seen as among the earliest indicators of Oscar success.

The Guardian - Film

Campaign finance data are some of the earliest indicators we have about electoral strength.

Huffington Post

That's an early indicator as well.

The New York Times

Golden Globe nominations are often an early indicator of Oscar prospects.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In scientific writing, support the claim that something is the "earliest indicator" with empirical evidence or data. This enhances the credibility of your assertion.

Common error

Avoid implying that the "earliest indicator" is a definitive predictor of future outcomes. It's merely an initial sign and may not always accurately forecast subsequent events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "earliest indicator" functions as a noun phrase that identifies the very first sign or signal of a phenomenon. Ludwig examples show its use in diverse fields like medicine, economics and environmental science to highlight the initial evidence of a trend or condition. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "earliest indicator" serves as a crucial descriptor for the initial sign of a phenomenon, with Ludwig examples showcasing its utility across diverse fields like science, news, and academia. Grammatically sound and formally versatile, it emphasizes precedence and is frequently employed to highlight the first evidence of a trend or condition. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity, while our analysis underscores its importance in identifying initial evidence or symptoms. While usage of the term is not very common, it is very useful and it is seen as a very useful term for initial and timely predictions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initial sign

Focuses on the sign aspect, emphasizing the beginning of something.

first signal

Highlights the signaling aspect, suggesting an alert or warning.

primary symptom

Used in medical contexts, indicating the initial manifestation of a condition.

leading indication

Implies a predictive quality, suggesting the indicator points towards a future outcome.

preliminary evidence

Emphasizes the evidentiary aspect, suggesting the indicator provides initial proof.

early warning sign

Conveys a sense of potential danger or concern.

initial manifestation

Highlights the appearance or display of something for the first time.

incipient marker

A more formal and scientific term for an early sign.

precursor

Suggests something that comes before and indicates a future event or development.

bellwether

Indicates something that leads or foreshadows future developments.

FAQs

How can I use "earliest indicator" in a sentence?

You can use "earliest indicator" to point out the first sign or symptom of something. For example, "The increase in temperature was the "earliest indicator" of climate change".

What is a good alternative to "earliest indicator"?

Alternatives include "initial sign", "first signal", or "primary symptom" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "early indicator" and "earliest indicator"?

"Early indicator" simply means a sign that appears relatively soon, while ""earliest indicator"" specifies that it's the very first sign to appear. The latter emphasizes precedence.

Can "earliest indicator" be misleading?

Yes, if taken as a definitive predictor. It's important to remember that the ""earliest indicator"" is just an initial sign and might not always accurately reflect the entire situation.