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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
indicates up
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "indicates up" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to describe something that points or shows an upward direction, but it lacks clarity and context. Example: "The arrow indicates up, suggesting the direction we should take."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
Science
News & Media
Wiki
Alternative expressions(2)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
7 human-written examples
Xenophon says productivity commission research and evidence to a federal Senate select joint committee indicates up to 90% of gambling addicts "do not get any help".
News & Media
Scottish Labour leaders have privately admitted they could lose a swath of key seats in Scotland after a surge in support for the Scottish National party as a Guardian analysis indicates up to 20 seats are at risk.
News & Media
Research indicates up to one-third of rapid response team calls relate to end-of-life symptoms.
The node color indicates up- (red) or down- (green) regulation.
Science
Examination of a clinical study involving human head and neck tumors indicates up to +280% flow index errors resulted from inter-patient optical property variations.
Science
This is illustrated in Fig. 3, in which the green and red graphics represent coexpression status of the module in each disease stage, and the slope of the line between stages indicates up- or downregulation of the mean expression of the module genes.
Science
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
53 human-written examples
Italics indicates up-regulated expression in YΔGP/XK/XI.
Science
Green color indicates up-regulation and red color indicates down-regulation.
Science
The optical properties have been performed by UV-Vis and a photoluminescence (PL) spectrum, where UV-Vis spectra showing visible light absorption and PL exhibiting a peak near UV region indicates up-conversion property.
Science
For our analyses, a negative ES indicates that the molecules in a given gene set are down-regulated in the α9−/− mice, and a positive ES indicates up-regulation in the knockout animals compared to wild type.
Science
In contrast, CXCL1 gene expression induced by 2.5 µg PDGF encapsulated in low MW and high MW PLGA microspheres had no significant differences from either the NFS alone or PDGF coating groups, which indicates up-regulation of CXCL1 gene expression stimulated by PDGF is dependent on PDGF dose.
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When aiming for clarity and precision, avoid the phrase "indicates up". Instead, opt for more direct and grammatically sound alternatives like "shows an increase" or "points upward" depending on the intended meaning.
Common error
A frequent mistake is to use "indicates up" without considering its grammatical awkwardness. Writers should ensure the verb "indicate" is followed by a noun or a clear direction, not just "up", to maintain grammatical correctness and clarity.
Source & Trust
83%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "indicates up" functions as a verb phrase intended to show direction or trend. However, it's grammatically questionable, and its meaning isn't immediately clear without additional context. As Ludwig AI notes, the phrase is not correct. Proper alternatives are preferable.
Frequent in
Science
57%
News & Media
29%
Wiki
14%
Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, while the phrase "indicates up" appears in various contexts, particularly scientific and news media, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI analysis confirms this assessment. For clear and effective communication, it is best to use alternatives like "shows an increase", "points upward", or "suggests an upward trend". These alternatives provide the intended meaning without the grammatical awkwardness of the original phrase.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
shows an increase
Replaces "indicates" with "shows" and clarifies the direction.
suggests an upward trend
Replaces "indicates" with "suggests" and specifies "upward trend" for clarity.
points upward
Directly conveys the directional aspect of "up".
demonstrates an elevation
Uses "demonstrates" for a stronger indication and replaces "up" with "elevation".
signals a rise
Uses "signals" to indicate and "rise" to represent the upward direction or increase.
reflects growth
Focuses on the growth aspect implied by something going "up".
corresponds to an increase
Uses "corresponds to" to show a relationship with an "increase".
implies upward movement
More directly states the idea of "upward movement".
is indicative of a surge
Uses "is indicative of" to replace "indicates" and "surge" to convey an increase.
foreshadows an upturn
Implies a future positive change or increase.
FAQs
What does "indicates up" mean?
The phrase "indicates up" is generally not considered grammatically correct. It's often used to suggest an upward direction or an increase, but it's better to use phrases like "shows an increase" or "points upward" for better clarity.
How can I rephrase "indicates up" for better clarity?
To improve clarity, replace "indicates up" with more precise phrases such as "suggests an upward trend", "reflects growth", or "signals a rise" depending on the context.
Is "indicates up" grammatically correct?
No, "indicates up" is not grammatically correct in standard English. The verb "indicate" usually requires a direct object or a more complete description of what is being indicated. Using alternatives like "demonstrates an elevation" is recommended.
What are some alternatives to "indicates up" in scientific writing?
In scientific writing, more formal and precise alternatives to "indicates up" include "corresponds to an increase", "implies upward movement", or "is indicative of a surge".
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
83%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested