indications

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "indications" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to signs, signals, or pieces of information that suggest something or point to a conclusion. Example: "The indications of a potential storm were evident in the darkening sky and rising winds."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

All that makes it and Mr Forsyth telling indicators of global entertainment trends and, by comparison, Britain's peculiarities.Not all the indications are happy ones.

The Economist

The indications are that the proposals will continue for the other two schools.

The Guardian

John Thavis, author of The Vatican Diaries, wrote on his blog: "One of the first things a new pope hears is: 'Holy Father, it's always done this way.' In his first 24 hours in office, Pope Francis has already given indications that he may not be intimidated by those words, as he creates his own style of being pope".

The Guardian

Again he doesn't name names, but when talking of those who thought small rather than big, the indications are that he is referring to election campaign chief Douglas Alexander.

The Guardian

Researchers working for human rights organisations during this period were so concerned by indications that the Sri Lankan government might be seeking to enlist Fox's support to ease restrictions on arms imports from the UK to the island nation, they raised their worries with the Foreign Office in London.

The Guardian

Armstrong reported that "those concerned are exercising vigilance for any indications of movements of NUM staff to foreign destinations which might be for the purpose of collecting consignments of notes".

The Guardian

But experts warned against any premature declaration of victory, with the militants still proving capable of carrying out deadly hit-and-run strikes and indications of coalition lapses.

The Guardian

Media were not allowed to attend Tuesday's meeting, despite earlier indications to the contrary.

The Guardian

But despite the dire warnings from the right (er, people who are supposed to believe in free markets no less) the indications are that there will be no sudden influx of Balkan builders.

The Guardian

But early indications are that it's really good.

The Guardian - Tech

But for a prince who is said by allies to be planning to continue his "heartfelt interventions" in public life when he finally becomes king, there are now indications of the areas in which those interventions will concentrate – and the manner in which they will be conducted.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "indications", ensure the context clearly specifies what the indications are pointing towards. For example, instead of saying "there are indications", specify "there are indications of economic recovery".

Common error

Avoid presenting "indications" as definitive proof. "Indications" suggest possibilities or probabilities, not certainties. Use qualifiers like 'suggests', 'implies', or 'hints at' to maintain appropriate nuance.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "indications" is that of a plural noun, serving as the object or subject of a sentence. According to Ludwig, it refers to signs, signals, or pieces of information that suggest something or point to a conclusion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Formal & Business

22%

Science

21%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "indications" is a grammatically correct and widely used plural noun that refers to signs or pieces of information suggesting something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts, particularly in news, business, and scientific domains. To enhance clarity, always specify what the "indications" are pointing towards and avoid overstating their certainty. Alternative terms like "signs", "clues", and "signals" can be used depending on the context. Overall, "indications" is a versatile and reliable term for conveying suggestive evidence or potential outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

signs

A more direct term referring to something that shows that something else exists or is likely to happen.

clues

Suggests pieces of evidence that help solve a problem or mystery.

signals

Implies a more deliberate or intentional communication of information.

evidence

Refers to facts or information indicating whether a belief or proposition is true or valid.

pointers

Highlights something that serves to direct attention or indicate a course of action.

hints

Suggests subtle or indirect suggestions.

manifestations

Refers to the ways in which something appears or becomes evident.

symptoms

Commonly used in medical contexts to describe signs of a condition or disease.

indices

Implies a measure or indicator used to evaluate something.

markers

Emphasizes something that serves to indicate a position, condition, or trend.

FAQs

How to use "indications" in a sentence?

You can use "indications" to refer to signs or pieces of information that suggest something, such as "Early "indications" suggest the project will be successful".

What can I say instead of "indications"?

You can use alternatives like "signs", "clues", or "signals" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "indications of" or "indications for"?

"Indications of" is used to show what something suggests or points to, while "indications for" is typically used in medical or technical contexts to denote the reasons for using a particular treatment or procedure.

What's the difference between "indications" and "indicators"?

"Indications" are signs or pieces of information that suggest something. "Indicators" are specific measures or data points used to assess or track something, often in a quantitative manner.