general indication

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "general indication" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a broad or vague suggestion or hint about something. Example: "The report provides a general indication of the trends in the market, but more detailed analysis is needed."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

DAN MCGINN: Let's get sort of a general indication here.

Harvard Business Review

"Sir John should give a general indication of when he's likely to publish," Campbell said.

The Guardian

Can he give a general indication of the positive points he wanted made?

The Guardian

Clinics currently check the visual appearance of the womb lining using ultrasound, giving a general indication of health.

The Guardian

This provides a general indication of the kind of experimental scenarios that can be modelled with Cabot.

Computers in Human Behavior

The listings here are not exhaustive but do give a general indication of the type of research that is underway at Stanford.

Stanford University

The number of reinforcers earned provides a measure of task competency and a secondary assessment of impulsive action, while percent accuracy is a general indication of attentional capacity.

Nature

Whereas the overall power results give a general indication, it is likely that power will also be relatively variable in different regions.

Nature

The index, which is viewed as a general indication of weight relative to size, does not take into account muscle mass.

The New York Times - Sports

This paper also provides a general indication of seismic vulnerability of common low-rise transfer structures in regions of low to moderate seismicity.

Engineering Structures

The system purpose, stated in the mission statement, is a general indication that the system will probably contribute to the business goal.

Design Methods for Reactive Systems Yourdon, Statemate, and the UML

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "general indication" when you want to convey a broad understanding or a preliminary assessment without going into specific details. It's suitable when precision isn't necessary or when you're providing an overview.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "general indication" if more detailed information is available. Follow up with specific examples or data to support the broad statement for a more compelling and informative message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "general indication" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It is used to denote a broad or non-specific sign or hint about something. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

32%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "general indication" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression to convey a broad sense or preliminary understanding of something. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across diverse fields, particularly in science and news media. When writing, you should employ "general indication" when presenting an overview without needing specific details and supplement it with more concrete information to enhance clarity. While alternatives like "rough idea" or "broad outline" exist, "general indication" maintains a level of formality suitable for professional and academic contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

high-level overview

Presents a summary focusing on major points.

rough idea

Indicates a vague or imprecise understanding.

approximate idea

Signifies an estimation rather than precise knowledge.

broad outline

Suggests a summary without detailed specifics.

overall sense

Refers to a holistic but not necessarily detailed impression.

basic understanding

Implies a fundamental grasp of a topic.

initial assessment

Suggests a first evaluation or judgment.

preliminary notion

Conveys an initial or tentative concept.

vague impression

Highlights the lack of clarity or detail.

cursory view

Implies a quick and superficial examination.

FAQs

How can I use "general indication" in a sentence?

You can use "general indication" to suggest a broad understanding or a preliminary assessment, such as, "The initial results provide a "general indication" of the project's potential success."

What are some alternatives to "general indication"?

Alternatives include "rough idea", "broad outline", or "basic understanding", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "general indication" in formal writing?

Yes, "general indication" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when presenting an overview or preliminary findings. However, ensure you provide supporting details where possible to add depth.

What's the difference between "general indication" and "specific detail"?

"General indication" provides a broad overview or hint, while "specific detail" offers precise and concrete information. Use "general indication" to introduce a topic and "specific detail" to elaborate and support it.