indicated otherwise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "indicated otherwise" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is different from what was previously stated or expected. Example: The instructions for the recipe called for three eggs, but the chef indicated otherwise, saying that only two were needed for the perfect consistency.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Her emails indicated otherwise.

The New York Times

Several parents indicated otherwise.

The New York Times

His exit today indicated otherwise.

The New York Times - Sports

Nobody has ever indicated otherwise.

The Washington Post

Their performance Friday night indicated otherwise.

The New York Times - Sports

The design of the door probably indicated otherwise.

The New York Times - Science

Lawyers for the commission said that statistics indicated otherwise.

The New York Times

Periodic leaks and other security breaches, he believed, indicated otherwise.

The New York Times

All activities are free with museum admission unless indicated otherwise.

The New York Times - Arts

Data are expressed as mean ± S.D. unless indicated otherwise.

Nature

All steps were performed at RT, unless indicated otherwise.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "indicated otherwise" to clearly signal a deviation from a previously stated condition or assumption, enhancing clarity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "indicated otherwise" when a simple negation suffices. For example, instead of saying 'The report indicated otherwise that the project was on schedule,' it's clearer to state 'The report indicated that the project was not on schedule'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "indicated otherwise" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to introduce a condition or exception. It signals that the preceding statement is not universally true and that there are circumstances where a different outcome or condition applies. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

65%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "indicated otherwise" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to signal a deviation from a previously stated condition or expectation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. It often appears in formal contexts such as science, news, and business, serving to clarify potential misunderstandings and specify exceptional conditions. When using this phrase, ensure that the deviation is clear and that simpler alternatives aren't more appropriate for your context. Alternative phrasing, like "suggested the contrary" or "implied the opposite", can be used to subtly adjust the tone or emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contradicted the initial statement

This alternative emphasizes that some information goes against the original statement.

suggested the contrary

This alternative emphasizes a direct contradiction or opposition to a previous statement.

implied the opposite

This suggests that the conflicting information was hinted at rather than explicitly stated.

revealed a different story

This emphasizes the unveiling of new information that contrasts with what was previously known.

gave a different impression

This focuses on the contrasting feeling or understanding conveyed by new information.

demonstrated the reverse

This alternative highlights a clear and evident reversal of a prior claim.

proved the inverse

This implies a formal or logical demonstration that contradicts a previous assertion.

signaled an alternative

This emphasizes the presence of another option or possibility that differs from the first.

showed a discrepancy

This highlights an inconsistency or difference between two pieces of information.

presented a conflict

This suggests that new information clashes with what was previously understood.

FAQs

How can I use "indicated otherwise" in a sentence?

Use "indicated otherwise" to point out a difference from a previously mentioned or expected condition. For instance: 'The instructions said to cook it for 20 minutes, but the oven thermometer "indicated otherwise"'.

What is a synonym for "indicated otherwise"?

Alternatives to "indicated otherwise" include phrases like "suggested the contrary", "implied the opposite", or "revealed a different story", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "indicated otherwise" or "suggested the opposite"?

"Indicated otherwise" and "suggested the opposite" have similar levels of formality. "Indicated otherwise" may be preferred in technical or formal writing due to its directness.

Can "indicated otherwise" be used at the beginning of a sentence?

While less common, "indicated otherwise" can be used at the start of a sentence for emphasis, though it's typically used within a clause: 'The data suggested improvement; "indicated otherwise", the patient's condition worsened.'