give an indication

USAGE SUMMARY

"give an indication" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to suggest or provide a clue about something. Example: The survey results give an indication of the overall satisfaction level of our customers. Explanation: In this example, the phrase "give an indication" is used to describe the action of the survey results indicating or showing the overall satisfaction level of customers. This phrase can be used in various contexts, such as in business reports, academic writing, or even in everyday conversations. It is a formal and precise way to convey that something is suggestive or indicative of a particular idea or concept.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It did not, however, give an indication on pricing.

The Guardian

Still, they give an indication of the summer school picture.

The New York Times

This is purely a tender document to give an indication of the scale of the project".

The Guardian

However, doctors have said they cannot give an indication yet of her long-term prospects.

The Guardian

The radar does not give an indication of what the debris is.

The New York Times

Usually, however, they flag up an event and give an indication, sometimes unintentionally, of its magnitude.

The Economist

Retail sales, which give an indication of domestic demand, grew 13.1 percent in July.

The New York Times

Normal QQPlots give an indication of univariate normality.

Applied Water Science

Historic place names have been investigated to give an indication of previous land-use and vegetation.

Forest Ecology and Management

These parameters give an indication of the possible optimum mill operating conditions in an idealised condition.

Minerals Engineering

In addition, FT-IR and Raman spectra give an indication about the GO-content.

Applied Surface Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "give an indication", ensure the context clearly shows what is being indicated and why it's relevant. This helps avoid ambiguity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "give an indication" when the evidence is conclusive. This phrase is best used when the information is suggestive rather than definitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "give an indication" functions as a verbal phrase, where 'give' acts as a transitive verb, and 'an indication' is its direct object. This phrase is used to express the act of providing a signal or suggestion about something, often without definitive proof. As Ludwig AI underlines, this expression is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "give an indication" is a versatile and frequently used expression that means to suggest or provide a clue about something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. It's commonly found in science and news media, serving the purpose of hinting at possibilities without stating them as facts. While highly versatile, it is key to avoid overstating the strength of indication it provides. Alternatives like "offer a hint" or "provide a clue" can be used for slight variations in meaning, but the core idea remains the same: offering a signal, not conclusive evidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

offer a hint

Replaces "indication" with "hint", suggesting a more subtle clue.

provide a clue

Substitutes "give an indication" with "provide a clue", focusing on the act of offering a piece of information that helps solve a problem or mystery.

suggest a possibility

Replaces the original phrase with a more direct expression of implying a potential outcome.

present a sign

Uses "present a sign" instead of "give an indication", highlighting the act of showing something that points to a particular fact or situation.

furnish a signal

Replaces "give an indication" with "furnish a signal", focusing on the act of providing a clear message or sign.

offer a suggestion

Replaces "indication" with "suggestion", focusing on proposing a possible course of action or idea.

extend a clue

Replaces "give an indication" with "extend a clue", which makes the clue more accessible.

display a hint

Substitutes "give an indication" with "display a hint", emphasizing the act of visually showing something that suggests a piece of information.

show a sign

Replaces the original phrase with a direct expression of revealing a symptom or warning.

manifest a signal

Replaces "give an indication" with "manifest a signal", focusing on the clear and obvious display of the sign.

FAQs

What does "give an indication" mean?

The phrase "give an indication" means to provide a sign, clue, or suggestion about something, without being definitive or conclusive.

What can I say instead of "give an indication"?

You can use alternatives like "offer a hint", "provide a clue", or "suggest a possibility" depending on the context.

How to use "give an indication" in a sentence?

You can use "give an indication" to show that something suggests a possible outcome or trend, as in, "The early results give an indication of a potential victory".

Is it better to "give an indication" or "provide evidence"?

"Give an indication" suggests something without proof, while "provide evidence" offers concrete support. Use "give an indication" when results are preliminary or suggestive, not definitive.