indicate by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'indicate by' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to explain or show a certain situation, usually one that relates to a distinguishing factor or a sign of something. For example, "The name of the organization was indicated by the logo on the gate."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As Justice O'Connor was to indicate by her questions from the bench, it appeared that the state court had willfully ignored a clear warning to reverse course.

The New York Times

(4) Before we get to the initial letters, we have "I forgot to mention", which you might indicate by writing "PS" at the end of a message.

The Guardian

If the foregoing meets with your understanding and approval please so indicate by executing this letter in duplicate and returning one of the signed duplicates to us.

The Guardian

In a typical study, subjects are asked to indicate, by locating themselves on a 9- or 10-point adjective scale, the intensity of a feeling or sensation.

The New York Times - Health

"Asif will indicate by bowling a dead ball in that over and then we know the market opens at 10 overs," Majeed said.

The Guardian - Sport

One of Rick Moody's teachers at Columbia asked the class to indicate, by a show of hands, how many found Moody's work boring.

The New Yorker

"We turn the lights down and then ask who earns more than £3,000 a month," said Neyhus, "and they if they do they indicate by turning their mobile phones on – so all you see are dots of light".

The Guardian

Even an inflected tongue like Latin, in which a single case-ending could indicate by, with or from, had plenty of prepositions as well.

The Economist

Am I right?" He said he had watched one game where referees had given too many fouls, which they indicate by throwing penalty flags onto the field.

Independent

In part to avoid misunderstandings with clients, firms like Pavillion undertake highly detailed interviews of their candidates, 30- or 40-minute sessions where the questions asked indicate, by inference, the needs, desires and, some might say, the neuroses of employers.

The New York Times

The modern editors of medieval and Renaissance music do not always agree on particular ficta alterations, which they usually indicate by means of small accidentals placed above the relevant pitches.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "indicate by" to clearly specify the method or means by which something is being shown or suggested. For instance, "The severity of the damage was indicated by the extent of the debris."

Common error

Avoid using "indicate by" when the means of indication is unclear or missing. For example, instead of saying "The problem was indicated by several factors," specify which factors clearly showed the problem.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "indicate by" functions as a verb phrase that connects an action of showing or pointing out to the means through which it is accomplished. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. The Examples demonstrate its utility in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

31%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "indicate by" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to show how something is revealed or expressed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely applicable across various contexts, including science, news, and formal communication. While alternatives like "demonstrate by" and "signal through" exist, "indicate by" offers a clear and direct way to connect an action with its method. Remember to use it when you want to explicitly show how something is being shown or suggested. Avoid using it when the means of indication is unclear or ambiguous.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

demonstrate by

Highlights the act of proving or illustrating something through a particular action.

mark by

Highlights the act of distinguishing or identifying something through a particular feature or action.

communicate through

Focuses on the act of conveying information or feelings using a specific channel or method.

signal through

Focuses on the action of signaling something by means of a particular method or medium.

reveal by

Emphasizes uncovering or disclosing something through a particular action or sign.

show via

Emphasizes demonstrating something using a specific channel or method.

disclose through

Emphasizes revealing or making something known using a particular method or action.

represent via

Emphasizes the use of a specific medium or method to stand for something else.

express through

Focuses on conveying a feeling or idea using a specific medium or method.

denote with

Highlights the act of representing or signifying something using a particular symbol or sign.

FAQs

How can I use "indicate by" in a sentence?

Use "indicate by" to show a connection between something and the way it's revealed or expressed. For example, "His anxiety was "indicated by" his fidgeting."

What are some alternatives to "indicate by"?

You can use phrases like "demonstrate by", "show via", or "signal through" to convey similar meanings.

Is it better to use "indicate by" or "indicated by"?

The choice depends on the sentence structure. "Indicate by" is used in active voice, while "indicated by" is used in passive voice. For example, "He can indicate his choice by raising his hand" (active) vs. "His choice is "indicated by" a raised hand" (passive).

What's the difference between "indicate by" and "describe by"?

"Indicate by" suggests showing or pointing out something through a particular method, while "describe by" means to explain something using certain characteristics. For example, "Indicate the problem by highlighting it in red" vs. "Describe the problem by explaining its causes".