early signal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "early signal" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an indication or warning that something may happen soon or to suggest a trend that is beginning to emerge. Example: "The early signal of economic recovery can be seen in the rising employment rates."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

This was Larson's early signal to the audience that "Rent" was indeed a rock musical.

The New York Times

Many took the Fed's statement as an early signal that rate increases might be in store by late spring.

The New York Times

On June 1, Continental Airlines gave an early signal that the quarter might be unexpectedly weak for the industry.

The New York Times

It was an early signal that deceptive lending practices, which would later set off a wave of foreclosures, were widespread.

The New York Times

It is an early signal that Mr. Colton knows he is treading into a subject that has inspired rival mythologies.

The New York Times

Does this spell "recession?" Early signal: the preliminary December index of consumer sentiment fell to 74.5 from 76.1.

The New York Times

Anadarko has reasons to send a strong and early signal that it will fight.

The New York Times

It had been more demanding in Boston, Damon said, an early signal to him that life as a Yankee would suit him just fine.

The New York Times - Sports

Progress was hampered by early signal weakness in the valleys and having to piggyback an ITV franchise with the West Country.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

One early signal of intent is Mr Prodi's determination to make his staff more genuinely "European", not just a bunch of people picked by national quotas.

The Economist

But with E.U. leaders meetings Thursday night to discuss a support package for Greece, the E.C.B. may have chosen to send an early signal of support for Athens.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "early signal" to highlight the importance of recognizing initial signs or indications of a future event or trend. This emphasizes proactive awareness and preparedness.

Common error

Avoid overreacting to an "early signal". It is an initial indication, not a definitive forecast. Confirm with additional data before making critical decisions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "early signal" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. It identifies something that serves as an initial indicator or warning. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and used across contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

31%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "early signal" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe an initial indication or warning of something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage spans across diverse fields, notably science and news media. While it's crucial to recognize these early signs, it's equally important to avoid overreacting without further validation. Consider alternatives like "initial indication" or "preliminary sign" to add variety to your writing. Remember, an "early signal" is a starting point for further investigation, not a definitive conclusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

early indication

A more direct synonym, swapping signal for the highly similar indication.

initial indication

Replaces "early" with "initial", emphasizing the beginning stage of the signal.

first sign

Simple substitution of "early" for "first" while retaining core meaning.

preliminary sign

Substitutes "signal" with "sign", indicating a precursory indication.

early warning

Focuses on the alerting aspect of the signal, highlighting potential risks.

initial alert

Uses "alert" instead of "signal", highlighting the warning aspect.

precursory indication

Uses more formal vocabulary to denote a signal that precedes an event.

incipient sign

Uses more sophisticated vocabulary, referring to a sign in its initial stage.

leading indicator

Emphasizes the signal's role in predicting future trends or events.

nascent trend

Describes the "early signal" as a trend that is just beginning to emerge.

FAQs

How can I use "early signal" in a sentence?

You can use "early signal" to indicate an initial sign or warning of something. For example, "The declining consumer confidence index is an "early signal" of a potential economic slowdown."

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

While both terms refer to predictive signs, "early signal" is a more general term for any initial indication, whereas "leading indicator" is specifically used in economics to predict future economic activity.

What can I say instead of "early signal"?

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

Is "early signal" formal or informal?

"Early signal" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the communication.