indicator

USAGE SUMMARY

"indicator" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used to refer to any type of sign or clue that helps to show or provide information. For example, "The increase in sales was an indicator that our new product was a success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The above map is not necessarily a good indicator of where people taking civil partnership ceremonies live as it shows where the registration took place rather than the place of residence.

The Guardian

Read more stories like this: Abolish GDP in favor of a genuine progress indicator Rethinking prosperity: what is true wealth?

The Guardian

The number of beds is not the only indicator of a commitment to mental health, he says.

The Guardian

Of course it goes without saying that points mean prizes, but consistently, across the seasons, goal difference is an excellent indicator of where a team ends up in the league.

The Guardian - Sport

At the end of the road, my wife reaches over and flicks on my left indicator.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Although in the last weeks of life, her presence was good news for Burbage Brook: dragonflies are sensitive to pollution and are a useful indicator of a healthy environment.

The Guardian

"A strong housing market is both an indicator that financial conditions are too loose and a mechanism by which those loose conditions feed through into the rest of the economy".

The Guardian - Money

You touch the screen, but there's no immediate response and no progress indicator, so you're not sure if the thing "heard" you.

The New York Times - Tech

The Royal Society of Arts, which is working closely with us on this project, has found that being able to speak to people is a key indicator of whether you feel part of a community, and this is essential to life satisfaction, health and wellbeing.

The Guardian - Opinion

Having a good bit of salo, Kollegaeva says, is an indicator of the good life.

The Guardian

"We've made valuable improvements to Autographer, including greater control of image capture frequency, improved functionality, the option to take pictures manually and an indicator displaying when images are captured".

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "indicator", specify what it is indicating to provide clear context for your reader.

Common error

Avoid drawing conclusions based solely on one "indicator". Consider multiple factors for a more accurate assessment.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "indicator" is as a noun. It refers to something that serves as a sign or signal of a particular fact, trend, or existence of something else. As Ludwig AI confirmed, "indicator" is a correct and usable word. Many examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate its function within different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Formal & Business

27%

Science

23%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "indicator" functions as a noun signifying something that points to or suggests a particular fact or trend. According to Ludwig, it is a grammatically correct and frequently used word in written English. Its usage spans various contexts, including news, business, and scientific domains, indicating its versatility. The term helps in highlighting underlying data and predicting outcomes, though it's important to avoid relying solely on one "indicator" for complete insight. Related terms include "sign", "signal", and "marker", each offering slightly different nuances. While usable across a range of contexts, the register is mostly neutral to formal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sign

A more general term for something that points to the existence or nature of something else.

signal

Implies a more direct or intentional form of communication or indication.

marker

Emphasizes the role of identifying or delineating something.

measure

Suggests a quantifiable way of assessing or indicating something.

index

Highlights its function of cataloging information.

gauge

A tool for precisely measuring physical dimensions or extent.

clue

Implies a piece of evidence that helps solve a problem or mystery.

evidence

Focuses on its function as proof.

symptom

Specifically denotes a sign of a disease or condition.

bellwether

Implies something serving as a leading indicator of future trends.

FAQs

How to use "indicator" in a sentence?

The word "indicator" is used to describe something that points to or suggests the presence, condition, or value of something else. For example, "Rising unemployment is a key "indicator" of economic recession".

What can I say instead of "indicator"?

You can use alternatives like "sign", "signal", or "marker" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "indicator" or "indication"?

"Indicator" is a noun that refers to something that indicates, while "indication" refers to the act of indicating or a sign of something. Both are correct but have different meanings.

What's the difference between "indicator" and "index"?

An "indicator" points to a condition or trend, while an "index" is a standardized measure, often a composite of several indicators, designed to track changes in a specific sector or market. For instance, the S&P 500 is a stock market "index", not an "indicator".