good index

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "good index" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an index that is effective, useful, or well-organized, often in the context of books, databases, or research materials. Example: "The good index at the back of the book made it easy to find the information I needed quickly."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There is a good index.

The New York Times

One good index of a restaurant's intentions is the bread.

The New York Times - Food

Given the presence of a perfectly good index, the rationale behind this is hard to understand.

The Guardian - Music

But there's a good index, and the selection is impeccably made.

The Guardian - Books

"Ethical investors" now turn for guidance to the FTSE 4 Good index, which screens company behaviour.

The Guardian

The text is remarkably free from errors, while there is a good index.

Nature

At the end there is a glossary, a list of further reading and a good index.

Nature

Also, which is well worth remembering, a good index is often very funny.

The Guardian - Books

The average Lorenz number is a good index of performance of current leads.

Cryogenics

The book has a pretty good index, though, and I can look something up if anything I added was controversial.

The New York Times - Tech

Very bad reviews are not, in the final accounting, a good index of their recipients' later success.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the quality of an index, be specific about what makes it "good". For example, is it comprehensive, easy to use, or particularly accurate?

Common error

Avoid solely relying on "good" to describe an index. Instead, provide concrete details about its features and benefits. For instance, instead of saying "the book has a good index", specify that "the book's index is cross-referenced and includes sub-entries for key concepts".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "good index" typically functions as a noun phrase, where 'good' is an adjective modifying the noun 'index'. As seen in the examples provided by Ludwig, it describes the quality of the index, indicating its usefulness or effectiveness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "good index" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe an index that is effective and useful. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various domains, including science, news media, and formal business contexts. While the phrase itself is straightforward, it's important to provide specific details about the qualities that make the index "good," such as its comprehensiveness, accuracy, or ease of use. Alternatives like "reliable indicator" or "useful metric" can add precision in specific contexts. Overall, "good index" serves as a positive evaluation of an information retrieval tool, emphasizing its value and effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reliable indicator

Replaces "index" with "indicator", emphasizing the reliability of the measure.

useful metric

Substitutes "index" with "metric", focusing on the utility of the measurement.

accurate gauge

Replaces "index" with "gauge", highlighting the precision of the assessment.

sound measure

Uses "measure" instead of "index", focusing on the reliability and validity of the measurement.

effective guide

Replaces "index" with "guide", emphasizing its role in navigation and information retrieval.

helpful listing

Substitutes "index" with "listing", referring to its usefulness as a directory.

valuable directory

Replaces "index" with "directory", focusing on its value for information organization.

decent standard

Uses "standard" instead of "index", highlighting its role as a point of reference.

serviceable classification

Replaces "index" with "classification", emphasizing its utility in categorizing items.

suitable benchmark

Substitutes "index" with "benchmark", highlighting its use as a point of comparison.

FAQs

What does "good index" mean in the context of a book?

In the context of a book, a "good index" refers to a comprehensive and well-organized listing of topics, names, and concepts, enabling readers to quickly locate specific information within the text. It is an effective "effective guide" to the book's content.

What are some qualities of a "good index"?

A "good index" is typically characterized by accuracy, comprehensiveness, and ease of use. It should cover all significant topics and subtopics, use clear and consistent terminology, and provide precise page references, making it a "reliable indicator" of the book's contents.

Can "good index" be used in contexts other than books?

Yes, "good index" can also be used to describe any system or method for organizing and retrieving information effectively, such as a database index, a website's sitemap, or a performance indicator. In these cases, it refers to a "useful metric" for assessing efficiency and accessibility.

What's a better way to describe a "good index" in scientific writing?

In scientific writing, consider using more precise terms such as "reliable metric", "validated indicator", or "accurate measure" to describe an index. This provides more context and emphasizes the scientific rigor of the index being discussed, indicating it's a "sound measure".