indicate that

USAGE SUMMARY

"indicate that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce a clause which provides evidence to support or explain something previously stated. For example: "The increased sales figures indicate that demand for the product has grown significantly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Spring didn't indicate that would be the case.

The Guardian - Film

But recent studies indicate that isn't happening.

Huffington Post

Polls indicate that".

The New York Times

U.S.D.A. records indicate that P.

The New Yorker

Your nerves indicate that you care.

The New York Times

It could indicate that something is wrong.

Independent

And all signs indicate that they will.

The New York Times

Polls indicate that all will fail.

The New York Times

Most sources indicate that he was 75.

The New York Times

Recent studies indicate that many do not.

The New Yorker

Numbers missing indicate that the vaccine was not yet available.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "indicate that" when you want to introduce a fact or piece of evidence that supports a particular conclusion or idea. It's suitable for formal writing and clear communication.

Common error

While grammatically correct, using "indicate that" too frequently in casual conversations or informal writing can make your language sound stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "suggests", "shows", or "implies" in such situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "indicate that" functions as a verb phrase followed by a conjunction, introducing a subordinate clause. It's used to present evidence or signs that support a conclusion. Ludwig AI confirms this is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "indicate that" is a versatile phrase used to introduce evidence or information supporting a conclusion. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is grammatically correct and widely used in written English, particularly within news, scientific, and formal business contexts. While highly versatile, consider swapping it out with alternative phrases like "suggest that" or "show that" in informal writing to avoid sounding stilted. When aiming for clarity and a degree of formality, especially when presenting facts or findings, "indicate that" remains an appropriate and useful choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suggest that

Changes the verb to 'suggest', implying a less direct or conclusive indication.

imply that

Replaces "indicate" with "imply", suggesting a more subtle or indirect suggestion.

show that

Substitutes "indicate" with "show", which is a more direct and assertive way of presenting evidence.

demonstrate that

Uses "demonstrate" instead of "indicate", implying a clearer and more conclusive presentation of evidence.

point to the fact that

Rephrases to include "point to the fact that", emphasizing the evidence being presented.

evidence suggests that

Alters the structure to highlight the role of evidence in making the suggestion.

the data suggest that

Specifies "data" as the source of the indication, making it more objective.

it would appear that

Introduces a degree of uncertainty or tentativeness to the indication.

all signs suggest that

Uses "all signs" to emphasize the collective evidence pointing to a conclusion.

this suggests that

Uses "this" to reference a specific piece of information before making the suggestion.

FAQs

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

"Indicate that" introduces a subordinate clause that presents evidence or a sign. For example, "The results "indicate that" the treatment is effective."

What are some alternatives to "indicate that"?

You can use alternatives such as "suggest that", "imply that", or "show that" depending on the context and the level of certainty you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "indicate that" and "suggest that"?

"Indicate that" is generally used when there is more direct evidence, while "suggest that" implies a less definitive connection or a hint.

When is it appropriate to use "indicate that" in writing?

Use "indicate that" in formal writing, reports, and academic papers when presenting findings or evidence that supports a specific conclusion. It provides a clear and authoritative tone.