indicate with a gesture

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "indicate with a gesture" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing the act of showing or pointing something out non-verbally through body language or physical movements. Example: "During the presentation, she chose to indicate with a gesture the location of the new office on the map."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

In an obscenity-laced speech to the defense at the Saints' hotel the night before the game, Williams indicated with a hand gesture that he would personally pay for a shot to the head of 49ers quarterback Alex Smith.

Los Angeles Times

They are usually quite easy to spot, one side is normally surrounding the referee pointing to their hands or indicating with a fisherman's gesture the amount by which an offending player was offside/outside the area.

The Guardian - Sport

The only real talking point of the first 45 minutes was one of the season's more amusing cautions, when Ben Arfa took exception to Rooney flailing away at Fabricio Coloccini as he lay on top of the ball and arrived, after a free-kick had been awarded, to indicate with the universal gesture that Rooney might have a screw or two missing.

The Guardian - Sport

He acted after a member of the opposition, in a gesture Russians understood, indicated with a flick of the index finger that Mr. Yeltsin was drunk.

The New York Times

In assessing children with autism, specialists often "tempt" children to communicate by, for example, blowing bubbles and stopping, to see if they can get the child to indicate with gestures and sounds that s/he wants more.

Yale University

The media sometimes refers to the gesture as being mistaken for an indication of "we're number one", typically indicated with a raised index finger.

Wikipedia

The citizens of Denmark's second city respect each other – grannies hold shop doors open for gangs of teenagers; cyclists indicate with hand signals – but not the same gestures you see on London's streets.

The Guardian - Travel

"Where's Brooke?" The recurrent question is answered with a gesture, indicating the point at which she was last seen.

The New Yorker

On the next hole, Matsuyama tried to offer Scott a read on his birdie attempt with a gesture indicating the break, but Scott shook him off — then missed the putt.

The New York Times - Sports

Foo Fighters celebrated their 10th anniversary last year with a gesture that indicates how rock stars live large now.

The New York Times - Arts

When one wishes to say that someone is more than an ass, one indicates this with gesture using both hands, bringing them near to the two ears.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "indicate with a gesture", ensure that the gesture is clear and unambiguous to avoid misinterpretations. Context is key.

Common error

Avoid using vague or overly subtle gestures when you intend to "indicate with a gesture". Ensure the gesture directly relates to what you're trying to convey to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "indicate with a gesture" functions as a verb phrase describing the action of communicating or pointing out something using a physical movement. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is grammatically sound and readily usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

16%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "indicate with a gesture" is a grammatically correct and usable expression for describing non-verbal communication. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid phrase. Although "uncommon" in frequency, it appears across diverse contexts, particularly in news media and academic writing. The choice of gesture is critical for clarity, and while alternative phrases exist, they often carry slightly different nuances. Always aim for unambiguous gestures to avoid misinterpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Signal through gesture

Replaces "indicate with" with the more concise "signal through", maintaining the focus on non-verbal communication.

Show with a hand motion

Specifies that the indication is made using a hand, providing more detail.

Communicate via gesture

Broadens the scope to any form of communication through gestures, not just indication.

Express using body language

Focuses on the broader concept of body language as a means of expression.

Point out non-verbally

Replaces the gesture with a general non-verbal action.

Denote with a physical cue

Uses more formal language to describe the act of indicating through physical means.

Illustrate using a sign

Emphasizes the illustrative nature of the gesture, implying a more deliberate action.

Convey through manual signal

Highlights the use of hands for signaling or indicating.

Make known with a movement

Generalizes the action to any kind of movement that conveys information.

Gesture to signify

Focuses on the purpose of the gesture as a means of signifying something specific.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "indicate with a gesture" in a sentence?

To effectively use "indicate with a gesture", ensure the context makes the gesture's meaning clear. For example, "She chose to "indicate with a gesture" the location of the new office on the map."

What are some alternatives to "indicate with a gesture"?

Alternatives include "signal through gesture", "show with a hand motion", or "communicate via gesture", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

In what situations is it appropriate to "indicate with a gesture"?

It's appropriate to "indicate with a gesture" when verbal communication is difficult, such as in noisy environments, when speaking different languages, or when subtlety is required. However, be mindful of cultural differences in gesture interpretation.

Is "indicate through a gesture" grammatically correct instead of "indicate with a gesture"?

While "indicate through a gesture" isn't incorrect, "indicate with a gesture" is more common and natural-sounding. Both convey the same basic meaning, but the latter is generally preferred in most contexts.