he is indicating

USAGE SUMMARY

"he is indicating" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when someone is conveying information or making a point. For example, "He is indicating that we should leave soon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"Both have nothing whatsoever to do with anything he is indicating in his letter," said Lieutenant Smith.

The New York Times

And he is said to always listen politely to their pleas for him to run (some associates suspect he is so polite that at times they believe he is indicating that they are succeeding in getting him to reconsider).

The New York Times

"Anytime a human being slips and falls in this manner it is always disappointing, but he has admitted to it, he's owning up to it, and he is indicating that he will take the medicine," Mr. Brannum said.

The New York Times

So when, in the preface, Trilling says, "In the United States at this time liberalism is not only the dominant but even the sole intellectual tradition," he is indicating, in the elliptical manner that is characteristic of his prose, that he is treating all liberals alike.

The New Yorker

President Bush hasn't yet wielded a veto, although he is indicating he might.

Forbes

He said: "He is indicating that he is willing to help salvage the situation if HMRC come to the party.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

By that, he was indicating that the club are prepared to wait until next summer.

The Guardian - Sport

"I hope that he will be supportive and he's indicating that he will be, so that will be good".

The Guardian

He was indicating before anyone even asked that Iraq would be, for him, an adventure too far.

The New York Times

He told the BBC1's Sunday Politics: "John McDonnell called it barmy last week, but apparently he's indicating he's going to vote for it on the 14 October.

The Guardian

He was indicating that war would not be a rash decision on his part, while he was capable of recognizing the inevitable necessity of genocide.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he is indicating" when you want to convey that someone is communicating something indirectly, without stating it explicitly. It's useful for nuanced situations where the message is implied rather than directly asserted.

Common error

Avoid using "he is indicating" when the person is making a direct and explicit statement. "Stating" is more appropriate in those cases. "Indicating" implies a level of indirection or subtlety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he is indicating" functions as a verb phrase in the present continuous tense. According to Ludwig AI, it suggests an ongoing action of conveying information indirectly. Examples show it used to describe someone's implied message or intention.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he is indicating" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase to describe the act of conveying information indirectly. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for describing situations where a message is implied rather than explicitly stated. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts, it maintains a neutral register. When using this phrase, remember to distinguish it from direct statements and consider alternatives like "he is suggesting" or "he is implying" for nuanced meanings. It is important to make it evident that "he is indicating" is used to describe something implied instead of a direct statement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he is suggesting

Uses a different verb to convey a similar sense of indirect communication.

he is implying

Conveys a more subtle and indirect form of communication.

he is hinting

Suggests an even more subtle and less direct form of indication.

he is alluding

Indicates a reference to something without explicitly mentioning it.

he is signaling

Implies a more deliberate and intentional act of indicating.

he is conveying

Focuses on the act of transmitting information or a message.

he is communicating

A broader term that encompasses various ways of expressing information.

he is intimating

Similar to implying, but often suggests a more delicate or private matter.

he is making it known

Emphasizes the act of revealing or disclosing information.

he is letting on

An informal way of saying someone is revealing something, often unintentionally.

FAQs

How can I use "he is indicating" in a sentence?

You can use "he is indicating" to show that someone is suggesting something indirectly. For example, "By raising his eyebrows, he is indicating his skepticism."

What can I say instead of "he is indicating"?

You can use alternatives like "he is suggesting", "he is implying", or "he is hinting" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "he is indicating at"?

While grammatically understandable, it's more common and stylistically better to say "he is indicating" followed by a 'that' clause or the object of the indication directly. For example, "He is indicating that he agrees" rather than "He is indicating at his agreement."

What's the difference between "he is indicating" and "he indicates"?

"He is indicating" is present continuous, suggesting an ongoing action. "He indicates" is simple present, used for habitual actions or general truths. For example, "He indicates his preferences through subtle gestures" (general habit) vs. "He is indicating his discomfort right now by fidgeting" (current action).