indications were

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "indications were" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing signs, evidence, or signals that suggest a particular situation or outcome. Example: "Indications were that the project would be completed ahead of schedule, based on the team's progress reports."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Early indications were encouraging.

The New Yorker

Early indications were decent.

The New York Times

Early indications were not promising.

The New York Times

No apparent indications were found.

The New Yorker

First indications were that it did not reheat on entry.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

All indications were that his injury was not career-threatening.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Friend said the early indications were encouraging.

The New York Times

All the indications were that it was only going to get worse".

The New York Times

The early indications were, the Knicks were not mentally prepared for the game.

The New York Times - Sports

Indications were that the dead man might have blown himself up while preparing a bomb.

The New York Times

All the indications were that the big demand is in the south-east".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "indications were" to introduce information that suggests a particular conclusion but isn't definitive proof. It's helpful for framing situations where there's suggestive evidence but uncertainty remains.

Common error

Avoid presenting information introduced by "indications were" as definitive facts. Remember that indications suggest possibilities, but they don't guarantee outcomes. Be sure to qualify statements appropriately to reflect the level of certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "indications were" functions as a clause opener or introductory phrase. Ludwig AI shows it introduces information suggesting a likely scenario without presenting it as a certainty. It serves to frame subsequent statements as inferences based on available evidence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "indications were" is a versatile tool for introducing suggestive evidence. It functions as a clause opener, conveying assessments that are grounded in available information. Ludwig AI highlights its prevalence across diverse contexts, with a particularly strong presence in news reporting and scientific writing. Remember to use it when presenting a balanced perspective where information hints at a conclusion without being definitive. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is grammatically correct and suitable for a range of writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

signs suggested

Replaces "indications" with "signs", focusing on visible evidence.

evidence pointed to

Emphasizes the role of evidence in suggesting a conclusion.

clues suggested

Highlights the subtle nature of the hints or clues.

it appeared that

Shifts the focus to the perceived appearance of a situation.

it seemed that

Similar to "it appeared that", but with a slightly less formal tone.

it was suggested that

Introduces a level of indirectness, attributing the suggestion to an unspecified source.

the data implied

Focuses on the data as the source of the suggestion.

the evidence hinted at

Uses "hinted at" to convey a subtle suggestion from the evidence.

the early read was

Implies an initial assessment based on preliminary information.

first blush suggest

Emphasizes an immediate impression or initial assessment.

FAQs

How can I use "indications were" in a sentence?

Use "indications were" to introduce a statement where evidence suggests something but isn't conclusive, for example, "Indications were that the project would be delayed due to unforeseen circumstances".

What are some alternatives to using "indications were"?

You can use phrases like "signs suggested", "evidence pointed to", or "it appeared that" as alternatives to "indications were", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the indication was" instead of "indications were"?

While "the indication was" is grammatically correct, it implies a single, specific sign. "Indications were" suggests multiple signs or pieces of evidence pointing to a conclusion. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the amount of evidence.

What's the difference between "indications were" and "the evidence was"?

"Indications were" suggests hints or clues, while "the evidence was" implies more concrete support. "Indications" are suggestive, whereas "evidence" is generally considered more factual and direct.