indicative figures

USAGE SUMMARY

'indicative figures' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to estimates or data that provide a general indication about a situation or phenomenon, rather than precise numerical details. For example, "The indicative figures from the survey suggest that the majority of respondents are satisfied with the service."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

He is due to give broad, indicative figures for the next three years in the next two weeks after coming under intense opposition pressure.

The Guardian - Arts

Bacon's jackets for "Compulsion" (1956) and "Catch-22" (1961) are humble indeed, combining clear type, generous areas of blank color, and very small and not especially indicative figures that leave the book's contents up to the peruser's imagination.

The New Yorker

Mr Evans wrote: "It surely isn't too much to ask for reliable indicative figures, in a timely manner, so that we have the time to assess proposals and their impact, communicate them to our residents and implement them in a planned manner?

BBC

The Law Commission report on slavery in 1841 contains the indicative figures on the number of slaves, computed based on the population of specific castes of Pallar and Paraiyar.

Wikipedia

Indicative figures suggest more than 200,000 people are in need of emergency help in  several north, east and central districts of Aceh.

Unicef

Indicative figures on HRH spending were provided as a percentage of aid to health expenditure in the last five years by the World Bank and the GFATM.

Human Resources for Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"An indicative figure would be 1 percent," Ms. O'Sullivan said.

The New York Times

The Speaker's office said the £700,000 figure was an "indicative figure for planning purposes only" and that real costs were expected to come in lower than the previous year.

The Guardian

To Nielsen, the more indicative figure in the rankings is the total number of fans who made up that percentage: more than 1.2 million, the third most behind Los Angeles and Atlanta.

The New York Times - Sports

Of course, this is an indicative figure and corresponds to a simplification of a complex reality.

EPJ Data Science

Multiplication of these factors gives an indicative figure of around 18,500 possible pairwise comparisons of candidate products with alternative products for every common use.

Environmental Sciences Europe

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "indicative figures", specify the source and context to provide a clearer understanding of their reliability and scope. For instance, mention if they are "indicative figures based on preliminary research" or "indicative figures from industry reports".

Common error

Avoid presenting "indicative figures" as definitive or precise. Always acknowledge their approximate nature to prevent misleading interpretations. Phrases like "These figures are merely indicative" can help set the right expectation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "indicative figures" functions as a noun phrase, where 'indicative' modifies 'figures'. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in diverse contexts, showcasing its role in presenting data that provides a general sense rather than precise measurements.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "indicative figures" is a noun phrase used to present data that offers a general sense rather than precise measurements. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and sees common usage across news, scientific, and business contexts. The phrase's purpose is to convey approximate numerical information, with a neutral to professional register. When using "indicative figures", remember to provide context and avoid presenting them as exact values. Alternatives include "approximate numbers" and "estimated values". Given its versatility and reliability, "indicative figures" is a valuable addition to your writing toolkit, particularly when dealing with data that is not fully definitive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

general estimates

A straightforward substitution emphasizing the broad, non-specific nature of the figures.

approximate numbers

Replaces 'indicative' with 'approximate', focusing on the estimated nature of the figures.

estimated values

Substitutes both words to highlight that the figures are estimates, not precise measurements.

illustrative data

Highlights that the figures serve to demonstrate or explain a concept, rather than providing exact values.

suggested amounts

Emphasizes that the figures are recommendations or guides rather than definitive values.

projected statistics

Highlights the forward-looking aspect, implying the figures are based on forecasts.

rough calculations

Focuses on the preliminary and potentially imprecise nature of the figures.

preliminary data

Indicates the figures are initial and subject to change as more information becomes available.

ballpark figures

An informal term suggesting figures are a very general estimate.

directional numbers

Replaces 'indicative' to suggest figures show a trend rather than a precise quantity.

FAQs

How can I use "indicative figures" in a sentence?

You can use "indicative figures" to present data that offers a general sense of scale or direction, such as, "The report provides "indicative figures" on projected market growth".

What's a good alternative to "indicative figures"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "approximate numbers", "estimated values", or "ballpark figures" to convey a similar meaning.

Are "indicative figures" considered reliable?

"Indicative figures" suggest a trend or general value but might not be completely precise. Their reliability depends on the source and methodology used to obtain them. Always cite the source.

What is the difference between "indicative figures" and "precise figures"?

"Indicative figures" provide a general idea, while "precise figures" offer exact data. Use "indicative figures" when accuracy isn't critical or when only estimates are available.