early indication

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "early indication" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to either a sign or symptom suggesting that something will happen or has happened, or the first suggestion that something is true. Example sentence: The early indications suggest that the weather will be sunny tomorrow.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What will be an early indication of the administration's direction?

The New York Times

The DealBook business news product may offer an early indication.

The New York Times

An early indication of his sincerity will be his choices for key posts at his department.

The New York Times

[It] is a stunning early indication of the government's commitment to reducing child obesity".

The Guardian

"The early indication is that we don't have any regulatory authority over this," he added.

The New York Times

There had been little early indication that this match would reach such a hectic conclusion.

The Guardian - Sport

Together they offer an early indication of the potential impact of certification.

The Guardian

"An early indication is that the emission control system was out of order".

The Guardian

Having an early indication of a child's gestation can make a vital difference in these circumstances.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But it was an early indication of what was to come.

The Guardian

The meeting will be an early indication of the various groups' ability to reach a compromise.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "early indication", consider specifying the context to avoid ambiguity. For instance, clarify whether it's an early indication of success, failure, or a specific condition.

Common error

Avoid presenting an "early indication" as a definitive conclusion. It's a preliminary sign, not a guarantee of a future outcome. Use hedging language if needed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "early indication" functions as a noun phrase often acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies an initial sign or signal that something is developing or likely to occur. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

28%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "early indication" is a versatile and frequently used expression to denote an initial sign or signal. As Ludwig AI indicates, its grammatical status is correct, and it appears very commonly in various contexts, especially in News & Media and Science. When using "early indication", it's crucial to remember that it suggests a preliminary sign rather than a conclusive outcome. Related phrases like "preliminary sign" or "initial signal" can be used as alternatives depending on the desired emphasis. By avoiding overstatements and providing context, writers can effectively leverage "early indication" to convey nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

early sign

Shortens the phrase, retaining the core meaning of an initial signal.

preliminary sign

Replaces 'indication' with 'sign', emphasizing an initial signal.

initial signal

Uses 'signal' instead of 'indication', highlighting the communicative aspect of the sign.

early symptom

Highlights the manifestation of a condition, typically used in medical contexts.

first clue

Substitutes 'indication' with 'clue', suggesting a hint or piece of evidence.

initial evidence

Focuses on the evidentiary aspect of the indication.

leading indicator

Emphasizes the predictive nature of the sign, common in business contexts.

precursor

Replaces the entire phrase with a single word denoting something that comes before.

incipient sign

Uses 'incipient' to highlight the beginning stages of the sign.

dawning realization

Shifts the focus to the cognitive aspect of understanding something early on.

FAQs

How to use "early indication" in a sentence?

You can use "early indication" to suggest that something is likely to happen or is becoming apparent. For example, "The rising stock prices are an early indication of economic recovery."

What can I say instead of "early indication"?

You can use alternatives like "preliminary sign", "initial signal", or "first clue" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "early indication" or "initial indication"?

Both "early indication" and "initial indication" are correct and largely interchangeable. The choice depends on stylistic preference, although "early indication" is slightly more common.

What's the difference between "early indication" and "leading indicator"?

"Early indication" is a general term for an initial sign, while "leading indicator" specifically refers to a measurable economic factor that changes before the economy starts to follow a particular pattern or trend.