he indicated

USAGE SUMMARY

"he indicated" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe someone giving a sign, gesture, or direction to something or someone. Example: "As we approached the park, he indicated to turn left onto the dirt trail."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He indicated his mother.

The New Yorker

He indicated a few inches.

The New Yorker

He indicated his belly button.

The New Yorker

Otherwise, he indicated, his spirits were soaring.

The New York Times - Sports

He indicated the house next door.

The New Yorker

He indicated why he made this decision.

The Guardian

"That's something we're looking into," he indicated.

The New Yorker

"He indicated there was no problem.

The New York Times - Sports

He indicated his legs, both bandaged.

The New York Times

He indicated that this was unlikely, however.

The Guardian

There was, he indicated, no alternative.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he indicated" when you want to convey that someone communicated something through a sign, gesture, or indirect statement. It's particularly useful when you don't want to specify the exact method of communication.

Common error

Avoid using "he indicated" when a more direct verb like "said", "stated", or "explained" would be more appropriate. Overusing "indicated" can make your writing sound vague or unnecessarily indirect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he indicated" primarily functions as a verb phrase in the past tense, where "he" is the subject and "indicated" is the verb. It describes an action performed by the subject. Ludwig AI validates the usage, showcasing its conventional role in describing past actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he indicated" is a versatile and commonly used expression, primarily found in news and media, as well as academic contexts. It serves to report a communication, often indirect, through gestures, signs, or subtle remarks. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage. While direct alternatives like "he said" or "he stated" exist, "he indicated" is useful when the specific mode of communication is secondary to the fact that communication occurred. This makes it a valuable tool for conveying information in a neutral and informative manner. When writing, ensure the context warrants the subtlety of "he indicated" over more explicit alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he showed

Implies demonstrating something, either physically or figuratively.

he pointed out

Focuses on directing attention to something specific, often visual.

he signaled

Focuses on using a sign or gesture to communicate.

he suggested

Implies a proposal or recommendation, less direct than indicating.

he mentioned

Highlights the act of bringing something to someone's attention in speech or writing.

he hinted

Suggests implying something subtly or indirectly.

he specified

Emphasizes providing detailed information or instructions.

he revealed

Suggests uncovering something previously unknown.

he clarified

Implies making something clearer or more understandable.

he disclosed

Implies making information known, often of a confidential nature.

FAQs

How to use "he indicated" in a sentence?

Use "he indicated" to show that someone communicated something indirectly, through a sign, gesture, or subtle remark. For example, "He indicated the direction with a nod".

What can I say instead of "he indicated"?

You can use alternatives like "he pointed out", "he suggested", or "he mentioned" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "he indicated" or "he has indicated"?

Both are correct, but they convey different tenses. "He indicated" is simple past tense, while "he has indicated" is present perfect tense. Choose the tense that accurately reflects when the action occurred. For example, "He indicated his preference yesterday" (simple past) versus "He has indicated his support for the project" (present perfect).

What's the difference between "he indicated" and "he implied"?

"He indicated" suggests a more direct, though possibly non-verbal, communication. "He implied" means he suggested something indirectly, leaving it to the listener to infer. For example, "He indicated the exit with a gesture" versus "He implied that he was unhappy with the results".