he indicated that

USAGE SUMMARY

'he indicated that' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce a clause that reports something that another person said or implied. For example: He indicated that he would be late for the meeting.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

On Thursday, he indicated that is not likely to happen.

The New York Times

For BP, he indicated, that meant developing wind power, solar power, and biofuels.

Huffington Post

He indicated that this was unlikely, however.

The Guardian

And he indicated that enormous linkages that they had.

Cornell University

Friday, after he indicated that it contained explosives.

The Washington Post

He indicated that he wanted to continue breeding.

The New York Times - Sports

He indicated that others in government thought so too.

The Guardian - Opinion

But he indicated that the situation could change.

The New York Times

He indicated that he had not used illegal drugs since.

The New York Times

But he indicated that he was not interested.

The New York Times

"He indicated that it was not a finished debate yet".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he indicated that", ensure that the subsequent clause accurately reflects the speaker's intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "he indicated that" when the person made a direct, unambiguous statement. Use "he said that" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he indicated that" functions as a reporting verb phrase. It introduces a subordinate clause that reports something that another person has suggested or implied. As Ludwig AI states, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

13%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he indicated that" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression to report indirect speech or suggestions. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is standard English. It is most commonly found in news, media, and academic contexts and serves the purpose of conveying information in a neutral and professional tone. While similar to phrases like "he said that", it implies a level of subtlety or indirectness in the original communication. When writing, be mindful of accurately representing the speaker's intent and consider using alternative phrases to reflect nuances in communication more precisely.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he suggested that

Focuses on a suggestion rather than a firm indication.

he stated that

Implies a more formal and direct declaration.

he mentioned that

Suggests a casual or brief reference.

he noted that

Emphasizes the observation or recognition of a fact.

he reported that

Highlights the act of conveying information, often through official channels.

he implied that

Conveys a subtle or indirect suggestion.

he signaled that

Suggests a non-verbal or indirect communication of intent or information.

he communicated that

Highlights the act of conveying information through any means.

he let on that

Implies revealing something cautiously or unintentionally.

he gave the impression that

Focuses on the perception created rather than the direct statement.

FAQs

What does "he indicated that" mean?

The phrase "he indicated that" means that someone suggested or implied something, without stating it directly. It's used to report indirect speech or to convey a sense of what someone meant without quoting them verbatim.

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

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

Is it appropriate to use "he indicated that" in formal writing?

Yes, "he indicated that" is appropriate for formal writing. It's a neutral and professional way to report indirect speech or convey information without direct quotation.

How is "he indicated that" different from "he said that"?

"He said that" implies a direct statement was made. "He indicated that", on the other hand, suggests that the information was conveyed indirectly, perhaps through implication or suggestion, rather than a direct quote.