he indicated it

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he indicated it" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone pointing out or showing something, often in a context where clarification or emphasis is needed. Example: "During the meeting, he indicated it was crucial to meet the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Ramshaw said that although Esseghaier submitted to an assessment, "he indicated it was to save me from hell and to understand the real ways of Islam".

Vice

He indicated "It is a multisectoral issue, maybe health is doing its role, but there are other sectors that may not be doing so.

BMJ Open

He indicated it would be part of the discussion.

The New York Times - Science

But he indicated it would be something he would pay more attention to this year.

The New York Times

Owens declined to specify what ailed him, but he indicated it was serious.

The New York Times - Sports

Well, I didn't say he said it, and would never say that; I said he indicated it.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

But Dr. Toole said that even if the mayor's case was somewhat more severe than he had indicated, it would not be relevant because he remained on the job and was not seeking a new term or any other elected office.

The New York Times

He's never spoken directly about this childhood, but he has indicated it was far from happy, one source of a lifelong depression.

Independent

Put to him that he had indicated it would be a "problem" to work with Mr Brown, he said: "No, no, no.

The Guardian

Rather, he later indicated, "it's time to make a strategic decision to stop the pendulum from swinging between the two.

Unicef

And if Gary's image hadn't been cut off here"—he indicated his chest—"it would have been nice to put a tiny penis on him".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he indicated it" when you want to convey that someone communicated something indirectly, without explicitly stating it. This can be useful when discussing subtle cues, hints, or implications.

Common error

Avoid using "he indicated it" excessively in formal or academic writing where direct and precise language is preferred. Consider more direct alternatives like "he stated" or "he explained" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he indicated it" functions as a reporting clause, conveying that a subject communicated something indirectly. Ludwig AI shows it's used to report subtle cues or implications, rather than direct statements. It introduces reported speech or thought, attributing an indirect communication to a subject.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Wiki

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he indicated it" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to report indirect communication. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's most frequently found in news and media contexts. While generally neutral in register, be mindful of using more direct alternatives in formal writing where clarity is paramount. The phrase serves to convey subtle cues or implications, adding nuance to reported information and reporting. To enhance your writing, consider related phrases such as "he suggested it" or "he implied it", but avoid overuse and favor direct language when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he suggested it

Implies a less direct form of communication, offering a proposal or hint rather than a clear statement.

he implied it

Focuses on the act of hinting at something without explicitly stating it.

he signaled it

Suggests a non-verbal cue or sign was used to convey the information.

he hinted at it

Similar to implying, but suggests a more subtle and indirect form of communication.

he alluded to it

Indicates a passing or indirect reference to something.

he let on about it

Suggests revealing something secret or previously unknown, often unintentionally.

he gave the impression

Focuses on the perceived feeling or understanding conveyed, rather than a direct statement.

he intimated it

Similar to implying, but often suggests a delicate or sensitive topic.

he manifested it

Highlights that something was revealed or shown to be true through one's actions.

he revealed it indirectly

Emphasizes that information was shared, but not through straightforward communication.

FAQs

What does "he indicated it" mean?

The phrase "he indicated it" suggests that someone communicated something indirectly, without explicitly stating it. It implies the use of hints, cues, or implications to convey a message.

What can I say instead of "he indicated it"?

You can use alternatives like "he suggested it", "he implied it", or "he hinted at it" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "he indicated it" formal or informal?

The phrase "he indicated it" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, consider using more direct alternatives for greater clarity.

How do I use "he indicated it" in a sentence?

Use "he indicated it" to show that a person didn't explicitly communicate something but suggested or hinted at it. For example: "During the presentation, he indicated it was a matter of urgency."