indicate the presence

USAGE SUMMARY

"indicate the presence" is correct and it can be used in written English.
For example: "The radar readings indicate the presence of an unidentified aircraft."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Six latrines indicate the presence of one vole.

The Guardian

The two arrows indicate the presence of sure signs that the bunkers are storing chemical munitions.

The Guardian

So the presence of RNA is often thought to indicate the presence of an active gene.

The New York Times

Everyday examples Nanoparticles could indicate the presence of harmful ­bacteria in foods.

The Guardian

A small crib near the bed may indicate the presence of a baby.

The New Yorker

There were no secondary explosions to indicate the presence of an arms cache.

The New York Times

A second instrument detected slow-moving neutrons, which indicate the presence of hydrogen in the polar regions.

The New York Times - Science

The protein, called prostate-specific antigen (P.S.A ., can indicate the presence of a tumor long before any symptoms materialize.

The New Yorker

At intervals along the shore, wire cages with scrupulously observed "do not disturb" notices indicate the presence of turtle nests.

The Guardian - Travel

But the white blazes indicate the presence of Hereford blood, rendering him ineligible for life as an Angus stud.

The New York Times - Magazine

Often associated with cassiterite, topaz may be useful to indicate the presence of that tin ore.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "indicate the presence" when you want to objectively suggest or show that something exists or is present, based on available information or evidence.

Common error

Avoid unnecessarily complex constructions that obscure the subject. Instead of "the presence of X is indicated by Y", consider "Y indicates the presence of X" for clearer, more direct communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "indicate the presence" functions as a verb phrase used to suggest or demonstrate the existence of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct. Examples in Ludwig show its use across various contexts to signify that something is present based on evidence or observation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

34%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "indicate the presence" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to suggest or show the existence of something based on available evidence. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. This phrase is widely employed across various contexts, including science, news media, and formal writing, though it's most prevalent in scientific contexts. While alternatives like "suggest the existence of" or "reveal the existence of" exist, understanding the nuance and formality of each can help in choosing the most appropriate wording. A key writing tip is to avoid passive constructions to ensure clarity and directness in your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suggest the existence of

Replaces "indicate" with "suggest" and "presence" with "existence", softening the assertion.

point to the existence of

Uses "point to" as a more visual and directional synonym for "indicate".

signify the presence of

Substitutes "indicate" with "signify", emphasizing the signaling aspect.

reveal the existence of

Replaces "indicate" with "reveal", highlighting the act of uncovering something.

demonstrate the existence of

Uses "demonstrate" to emphasize the provision of evidence.

imply the presence of

Replaces "indicate" with "imply", suggesting a less direct indication.

hint at the presence of

Uses "hint at" to convey a subtle indication.

testify to the presence of

Emphasizes the role of evidence in confirming presence.

attest to the existence of

Uses "attest to" to signify a formal confirmation of existence.

evidence the presence of

Focuses on providing evidence of something's presence.

FAQs

How can I use "indicate the presence" in a sentence?

You can use "indicate the presence" to suggest that something exists based on available information, such as "High levels of carbon dioxide "indicate the presence" of pollution".

What are some alternatives to "indicate the presence"?

Alternatives include phrases like "suggest the existence of", "point to the existence of", or "reveal the existence of", depending on the context and desired nuance.

Is it better to say "indicates presence" or "indicate the presence"?

The correct form depends on the subject of your sentence. Use "indicates presence" with a singular subject (e.g., "This data indicates presence"), and "indicate the presence" with a plural subject (e.g., "These findings indicate the presence of a risk factor").

What does it mean when something "indicates the presence" of something else?

When something "indicates the presence" of something else, it means it acts as a sign or evidence that the other thing exists or is present. For example, footprints in the snow "indicate the presence" of an animal.