index in the direction of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "index in the direction of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to indicating or pointing towards a specific direction or trend in data or information. Example: "The data collected from the survey seems to index in the direction of increased customer satisfaction over the past year."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

This led Rose (1981) to argue in favor of supplementing individually based interventions, which target those at high risk, with population-based interventions designed to shift the population distribution of a health index in the direction of lower risk.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Nor will he have to pick a path through Westfield Stratford shopping centre, and the army of volunteers wearing Gladiators-style foam hands, giant pink index fingers pointing in the direction of the Olympic Park.

Independent

Galactic propagation models for cosmic ray electrons give a synchrotron spectral index larger than the recently determined radio index between 22 – 408 MHz in the direction of the galactic disk (Roger, 1999), and smaller than the radio index between 0.5 – 2000 MHz in the direction of the galactic poles (Peterson, 1999).

Advances in Space Research

Change in the refractive index indicated the direction of convection prior to bubble formation, concentration profiles and diffusion layer thickness.

Electrochimica Acta

"Do not go there!" he admonished, a bony index finger pointing shakily in the direction of Forty-second Street from his filthy jacket's sleeve.

The New Yorker

We parsed the "Known Genes" track of the UCSC genome browser[24] and extracted intron annotations from each gene, noting the index of each intron in the direction of transcription.

Plosone

It is calculated as a sum of topographic exposure indices in the directions to the West, South-West and South using a distance limit of 250 meters (see, e.g., Scott and Mitchell 2005).

Forest Ecosystems

The summation of this index was the direction of the market.

Forbes

The refractive indices and absorption coefficients in the direction of these two axes are normally different.

Journal of Theoretical and Applied Physics

Long hair was trimmed to 6 cm and taped toward the non-scalp-side end of the hair shaft onto an index card with an arrow pointing in the direction of the scalp end on the index card.

Environmental Health Perspectives

If this in-plane 2D photonic stop band could be combined with vertical optical confinement provided by a periodic change of refractive index in the direction parallel to the pores, then three-dimensional (3D) confinement of light could be achieved.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "index in the direction of", ensure that the subject clearly reflects data, indicators, or trends pointing towards a specific outcome or development.

Common error

Avoid implying direct causality when using "index in the direction of". This phrase suggests correlation or indication, not necessarily a cause-and-effect relationship. Make sure to use other terms in order to signify a cause effect relationship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "index in the direction of" functions as a prepositional phrase. It modifies a verb or noun, indicating a directional trend or tendency in a given context. Ludwig shows the usage of this phrase across various domains.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "index in the direction of" effectively communicates a directional trend or tendency, often used to reveal patterns and suggest potential outcomes. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and usage across multiple domains, most notably Science and News & Media. While primarily neutral in register, its formality can shift depending on context. When writing, it is important to avoid implying direct causality and consider alternatives like "point toward" or "indicate a trend toward" for clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

point toward

This alternative uses a verb to indicate a directional tendency, differing in grammatical structure.

indicate a trend toward

This alternative specifies "trend", focusing on the pattern or direction of change.

suggest a movement toward

This alternative highlights the concept of movement or progression in a specific direction.

signal a shift toward

This alternative emphasizes a change or redirection, offering a dynamic perspective.

lean toward

This option conveys a bias or inclination in a particular direction.

move in the path of

This alternative emphasizes following a path or trajectory.

progress toward

This alternative focuses on advancement or development in a set direction.

head in the course of

This emphasizes the act of steering or aiming in a particular direction.

trend in the orientation of

This option highlights a general tendency in arrangement or positioning.

incline in the bearing of

This version emphasizes an angled or tilted posture in a set direction.

FAQs

How can I use "index in the direction of" in a sentence?

Use "index in the direction of" to indicate a trend or tendency, such as "The latest economic data "points toward" a potential recession".

What are some alternatives to "index in the direction of"?

Alternatives include "point toward", "indicate a trend toward", or "suggest a movement toward", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "index in the direction of" or "point in the direction of"?

"Point in the direction of" is generally more common and direct. "Index in the direction of" is suitable when referring to data or indicators suggesting a trend.

How does "index in the direction of" differ from "move in the direction of"?

"Move in the direction of" implies actual movement or progression, while "index in the direction of" suggests an indication or tendency without necessarily implying concrete action. Consider: The market moved in the direction of recovery / The economic indicators indexed in the direction of recovery.