first indicator

USAGE SUMMARY

"first indicator" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is evidence or a sign of something else. For example, "The dip in temperature was the first indicator that a storm was coming."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The first indicator was an aggregate score which indicated the number of risk factors recorded per patient.

BMJ Open

Yale policy is always to indicate gaps, so to avoid ambiguity, never use first indicator 3 in 866.

Yale University

First indicator.

Yale University

852 first indicator 8 (other classification scheme).

Yale University

The bread basket was the first indicator that this was no Piccolo or Mill Pond House.

The New York Times

"The first indicator that your child is having problems is the dress code.

The New York Times

Total employment, the first indicator, includes both the public and private sectors and gives a picture of overall job growth.

University of California, Berkeley

Total suspended particulate (TSP) was the first indicator used to represent suspended particles in the ambient air.

Stanford University

The first indicator relates the entropy production to quantities like the total transferred thermal energy and the total chemical conversion.

Energy

A first indicator map on a 1 km grid for the EU is provided, based on available data.

Ecological Indicators

A first indicator against which to make that judgment is the ratio of gross public debt to GDP.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "first indicator", ensure the context clearly establishes what the indicator is signaling. For example, "The increase in website traffic was the "first indicator" of growing customer interest."

Common error

Avoid assuming that the "first indicator" is the cause of a subsequent event. It may simply be correlated or a sign of a different underlying cause. For example, just because a stock price dips before a recession doesn't mean the dip caused the recession.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first indicator" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a subject complement or an appositive. It identifies something as the initial sign or symptom of a larger trend, event, or condition. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

45%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "first indicator" is a commonly used and grammatically correct term that signifies the initial sign or signal of something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it appears frequently across various domains, including science, news, and academia. The phrase serves to highlight an early warning or assessment, drawing attention to a piece of evidence suggesting an unfolding event. While its register is generally neutral, it is crucial to avoid mistaking correlation for causation when interpreting the "first indicator". Alternatives such as "initial sign" or "early indication" can provide subtle variations in emphasis. Understanding its usage and potential pitfalls ensures clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initial sign

Focuses on the sign aspect rather than the indicative nature.

early indication

Highlights the temporal aspect of the sign.

preliminary signal

Emphasizes the signal aspect and its preliminary nature.

leading symptom

Specifically used in medical contexts.

primary clue

Suggests a piece of evidence in an investigation.

key predictor

Highlights the predictive capability of the indicator.

initial evidence

Focuses on the evidentiary aspect.

starting point

Implies a beginning or a basis for further action.

opening gambit

Often used in strategic or competitive contexts.

bellwether

Suggests something that indicates a trend.

FAQs

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

Use "first indicator" to introduce an initial sign or symptom of something. For example, "The company's declining sales were the "first indicator" of financial trouble."

What are some alternatives to using "first indicator"?

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

Is it more appropriate to say "first indicator" or "initial indicator"?

Both "first indicator" and "initial indicator" are acceptable and often interchangeable. "First indicator" emphasizes sequence, while "initial indicator" emphasizes the beginning stage.

Can "first indicator" be misleading?

Yes, a "first indicator" might not always accurately predict a future outcome. It is crucial to consider other factors and not rely solely on the "first indicator" as definitive proof.