early sign of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "early sign of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate an initial indication or symptom of a condition or situation that may develop further. Example: "The patient exhibited an early sign of the illness, prompting further tests to be conducted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

There is no early sign of resolving the Albany impasse.

The New York Times

Avoiding eye contact is one early sign of autism.

The New York Times

Is that slow start an early sign of drift?

The New York Times

Elsewhere, that has been an early sign of trouble.

The Economist

No big, joyful smiles is one early sign of autism".

The New York Times

"It's an early sign of a bigger trend," he said.

The New York Times

That could be an early sign of dementia.

The New York Times - Books

"What are you talking about?" I asked, wondering if this was an early sign of senility.

The New York Times

An early sign of this came while Obama was on the campaign trail.

The New Yorker

But it could be an early sign of looming unemployment problems.

The New York Times

Perhaps it's an early sign of better days to come for dividend investors.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "early sign of", ensure the context clearly establishes what the sign is indicative of. For example, "Increased irritability can be an "early sign of" stress."

Common error

Avoid assuming that because something is an "early sign of" something else, it automatically causes it. An "early sign of" simply suggests a potential link, not a definite cause-and-effect relationship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "early sign of" functions as a prepositional phrase often serving as a predicative complement, linking a subject to a condition or state. Ludwig provides numerous examples where it identifies an initial indicator of a larger trend, disease, or problem. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "early sign of" is a versatile and frequently used expression for indicating an initial symptom or indication of a condition or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appropriate in various contexts, including news, science, and general conversation. The phrase’s neutral tone and clear communicative purpose make it valuable for signaling potential developments and prompting further investigation. When employing "early sign of", remember to clearly establish the context and avoid confusing correlation with causation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

first sign of

Substitutes "early" with "first", emphasizing the sign's position in a sequence.

initial sign of

Uses "initial" instead of "early", stressing the beginning stage of the sign.

early manifestation of

Replaces "sign" with "manifestation", emphasizing the appearance or display of something.

early indication of

Uses "indication" instead of "sign", focusing on the suggestive nature of the evidence.

early symptom of

Employs "symptom" in place of "sign", often used in medical contexts to denote a condition's initial marker.

earliest sign of

Emphasizes the temporal aspect, indicating it's the very first sign.

premature sign of

Substitutes "early" with "premature", highlighting that the sign appears before the expected time.

preliminary sign of

Replaces "early" with "preliminary", stressing that the sign is initial and might not be conclusive.

early signal of

Replaces "sign" with "signal", implying a communication or warning about something.

early hint of

Replaces "sign" with "hint", suggesting a subtle or indirect indication.

FAQs

How can I use "early sign of" in a sentence?

You can use "early sign of" to indicate an initial indication or symptom of a condition or situation. For example, "The company's increased spending could be an "early sign of" expansion."

What are some alternatives to "early sign of"?

You can use alternatives like "early indication of", "first sign of", or "preliminary sign of" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "early sign of" in formal writing?

Yes, "early sign of" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing. It is a commonly used phrase in various contexts, including academic papers, news articles, and business reports, as shown by Ludwig.

What's the difference between "early sign of" and "cause of"?

"Early sign of" indicates an initial symptom or indication, while "cause of" indicates the reason or origin of something. An "early sign of" may not necessarily be the "cause of" something; it is simply an indicator.