indicates as if

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "indicates as if" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where you want to suggest that something appears to be the case, but it is not a common construction. Example: "The data indicates as if there is a significant trend, but further analysis is needed to confirm this."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

What the group's very existence indicates – as if the PM needed reminding – is that he has a fight on his hands.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The notebooks also indicate, as if we didn't already know, which side Bail most likely backs in the contest being teased out.

The New York Times - Books

Thus, molecular constellations underlying gene x environment interactions indicate (as risk markers), if not contribute to (as risk factors), PTSD susceptibility in humans.

Disease Markers

(2) Perform an electrocardiogram if clinically indicated (as in a patient with a history of heart disease).

BioMed Research International

The participants were then told to listen to a series of statements about some of the objects they had seen, such as "The car was facing to the left" and asked to indicate as quickly as possible if each was true or false.

BBC

Subsequent evaluation will include obtaining detailed history, conducting a thorough physical examination, obtaining forensic evidence if indicated, as well as testing for sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy and HIV.

BMC Women's Health

Experiments seem to indicate, as would be expected, that if you offer individuals a set of options, some of which include themselves sharing in the benefit and some do not, the discount rates obtained in the former are much lower than the discount rates in the latter.

British Journal of Nutrition

But Steven Barbone points out that references to the mind of the state are typically preceded by qualifying phrases like veluti ("as it were") and quasi ("as if"), indicating that the state has a mind only in a metaphorical sort of way (Barbone 2001, pp. 104 105).

SEP

THE success of the Republican candidate for the Presidency in the United States will prove one of the greatest events of modern times, if it indicates, as we trust, no mere accidental fluctuation of public opinion in the direction of the Anti- Slavery cause, but the commencement of a permanent and sustained movement.

The Economist

This indicates, as described earlier [ 26], that, if nutrients are lacking, growing tumour cells can use the lactate they have produced previously as an ultimate oxidative energy substrate, even in normo-oxygenic conditions.

BMC Cancer

These are shown in Table 3, with the difference indicated as positive if the human classifier performs better, and negative if the machine learning one is more accurate for that molecule.

Journal of Cheminformatics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity and precision, replace "indicates as if" with more direct alternatives like "suggests that" or "implies that".

Common error

Avoid using "indicates as if" in formal writing, as it can create convoluted sentence structures. Opt for simpler phrasing to enhance readability and maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "indicates as if" functions as a conjunction phrase, attempting to connect an indication with a hypothetical scenario. Ludwig AI highlights that this construction is not standard and can be replaced by more direct alternatives for clarity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "indicates as if" is a non-standard conjunction phrase that attempts to link an indication with a hypothetical situation. Ludwig AI flags it as grammatically questionable, recommending clearer alternatives such as "suggests that" or "implies that". While it appears sparingly in news and scientific contexts, its use is discouraged in formal writing due to potential ambiguity. To enhance clarity and precision, opt for more direct phrasing when expressing connections or inferences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suggests that

This alternative directly implies a suggestion or hint, removing the conditional "as if".

implies that

This alternative focuses on indirect communication or indication, avoiding the speculative nature of "as if".

seems to indicate

This alternative conveys an impression or appearance of indication, rather than a definite confirmation.

appears to suggest

This alternative highlights the apparent nature of the suggestion, making it less assertive.

gives the impression that

This alternative emphasizes the subjective perception or feeling conveyed.

hints at

This alternative indicates a subtle or indirect suggestion.

points toward

This alternative suggests a direction or tendency, rather than a conclusive indication.

would seem to indicate

This alternative adds a layer of uncertainty or speculation to the indication.

suggests hypothetically

This emphasizes that the suggestion is based on a hypothesis or supposition.

it looks like

This alternative offers a more informal and direct way to express a similar idea.

FAQs

What does "indicates as if" mean?

The phrase "indicates as if" suggests something gives an impression of being a certain way, but it's not a standard or grammatically correct construction. Alternatives like "suggests that" or "implies that" are clearer and more common.

How can I use "suggests that" instead of "indicates as if"?

Instead of saying "The evidence indicates as if there was foul play", you can say "The evidence "suggests that" there was foul play". This is more grammatically sound and easily understood.

Is it correct to use "indicates as if" in academic writing?

No, it's not recommended. In academic writing, clarity and precision are key. Use stronger and more direct alternatives such as "indicates", "suggests that", or "implies that" to avoid ambiguity.

What's a more professional alternative to "indicates as if"?

For professional contexts, consider using phrases like "demonstrates that" or "highlights the fact that". These alternatives convey a sense of authority and clarity.