indicate they

USAGE SUMMARY

"indicate they" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a clause that expresses someone's actions or intentions. For example: "The students' grades indicated they had been studying diligently for their exams."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

So far, there's little to indicate they got that wrong.

The Guardian - Opinion

Graduating flight attendants become "wine ambassadors" and receive gold pins that indicate they know their stuff.

The New York Times

Clinton administration officials indicate they intend to press for Congressional approval of the modified law.

The New York Times

"The body language of the players appears to indicate they are unhappy with their current manager.

The Guardian - Sport

But he said those who are experts indicate they are "credible sightings".

The Guardian

Meanwhile Labour MPs indicate they are prepared for a longer war of attrition.

The Guardian - Opinion

As the stories I've cited indicate, they have become more searching lately.

The New York Times

So many with symbols to indicate they had been in child protection themselves.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We considered there was nothing obvious in the tweets to indicate they were Nike marketing communications".

The Guardian

A badge men wear to indicate they are above physical labor.

The New York Times

In addition, two major tenants have made filings that indicate they are in financial difficulty.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "indicate they", ensure the subject of the sentence clearly reflects who or what is doing the indicating.

Common error

Avoid using "indicate they" when a more direct and assertive statement is appropriate. Overusing "indicate" can weaken your writing, especially when the evidence is conclusive. Choose stronger verbs when possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "indicate they" functions as a verb phrase introducing a subordinate clause. It typically serves to present evidence or observations that suggest a particular conclusion or state of affairs. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across a variety of sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "indicate they" is a versatile and commonly used expression to suggest a particular conclusion based on evidence or observations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted in various contexts, primarily within news and media, and science domains. While alternatives such as "suggest they" or "imply they" exist, "indicate they" offers a balanced approach for conveying information indirectly, making it a valuable tool for effective communication. It is important to use it correctly and in context, also avoiding overuse, and ensuring the subject performing the action is stated explicitly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suggest they

Replaces "indicate" with "suggest", implying a less direct expression.

imply they

Substitutes "indicate" with "imply", suggesting a more subtle or indirect communication.

show they

Replaces "indicate" with "show", offering a more straightforward expression of evidence.

demonstrate they

Uses "demonstrate" instead of "indicate", suggesting a more explicit display of evidence.

reveal they

Employs "reveal" in place of "indicate", implying a disclosure of information.

signify they

Replaces "indicate" with "signify", suggesting the phrase represents something.

hint they

Substitutes "indicate" with "hint", implying an indirect suggestion.

intimate they

Uses "intimate" instead of "indicate", suggesting a subtle or private communication.

testify they

Replaces "indicate" with "testify", suggesting the phrase serves as evidence.

attest they

Substitutes "indicate" with "attest", implying a formal declaration or confirmation.

FAQs

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

The phrase "indicate they" is used to show that something suggests a particular fact or situation. For example: "The survey results "indicate they" are satisfied with the new policy."

What are some alternatives to "indicate they"?

Alternatives to "indicate they" include "suggest they", "imply they", or "show they", depending on the context and the degree of certainty you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "indicate they" and "indicates they"?

The phrase "indicate they" is used with plural subjects or when the subject is "I", "we", "you", or "they". "Indicates they" would be grammatically incorrect. A correct usage with a singular subject would be "it indicates that they".

When is it best to use "indicate they" over other similar phrases?

Use "indicate they" when you want to suggest a conclusion based on available evidence, without making a definitive statement. If you want to express a stronger conclusion, consider using "demonstrate they" or "prove they".