indicator of sorts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "indicator of sorts" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to describe something that serves as a type of indicator, but not necessarily a definitive or standard one. Example: "The increase in social media engagement is an indicator of sorts that our marketing strategy is resonating with our audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

There's no real way of telling if the subversive joke-telling has grown more pervasive, but I did hear about one making the rounds recently whose characterization of the revolution felt like an indicator of sorts.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Those will be a good indicator of what sort of quality the public will buy.

The New York Times

"That would be an indicator of what sort of person they really are.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The way in which "The Woodsman" plays off Mr. Yakusho's own stature for laughs is an indicator of the sort of performer he is: low-key, self-contained, modest, with a quiet watchfulness that makes his occasional bursts of action all the more galvanizing.

The New York Times

Body temperature is a useful indicator of what sort of illness one has—but the real reason for the illness is infection with a particular pathogen.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

The track's a pretty good indicator of the sort of unsettling stuff that happens throughout the record.

Vice

As far as our own questionnaire data set is concerned, we finally consider two indicators of different sorts as potential explanations for country differences more generally.

SERIEs

With the strange exception of Argentina, the middle classes of Latin America are bulwarks of economic orthodoxy and fiscal rectitude.New York University's Mr Easterly has found that the larger a country's middle class, the lower its indicators of every sort of instability, be it revolutions and coups, outbreaks of civil war, constitutional changes or suppression of civil rights.

The Economist

The production of indicators of this sort will contribute to significantly improving care planning at regional level, ultimately ensuring that all patients have access to the appropriate treatment within an appropriate time-lapse.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Strangely, it comes off as a compliment of sorts — an indicator of a chief executive who just believes in his product.

TechCrunch

My favorite part of the story is that congressmen are pointing to their number of Facebook friends as some sort of indicator of being "connected".

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "indicator of sorts" when you want to convey that something provides a clue or a sign, but it's not a definitive or conclusive proof. It's suitable for situations where the evidence is suggestive rather than concrete.

Common error

Avoid presenting an "indicator of sorts" as a definitive confirmation. This phrase suggests a tentative clue, so don't use it when you have concrete evidence. Instead, use stronger terms if the evidence warrants it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "indicator of sorts" functions as a qualifier to the noun "indicator". It diminishes the strength of the indication, suggesting that it's not a perfect or definitive measure. As per Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "indicator of sorts" is a useful qualifier when you want to suggest that something is a type of indication, but not a definitive one. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable. It is most commonly found in News & Media contexts and less frequently in Academic or Wiki contexts. When writing, remember that using "indicator of sorts" implies that the indication is not perfect or complete, so avoid presenting it as conclusive evidence. Consider alternatives such as "a kind of indication" or "a signal of sorts" depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a kind of indication

Replaces "sorts" with "kind", emphasizing the approximate or non-specific nature of the indication.

a signal of sorts

Substitutes "indicator" with "signal", implying a less formal or precise indication.

a suggestion of sorts

Replaces "indicator" with "suggestion", making the indication more subtle and less direct.

a sign of sorts

Uses "sign" instead of "indicator", suggesting a more general or observable indication.

an indication of a kind

Rephrases the sentence to emphasize that it is an indication of a certain type, but not necessarily a perfect one.

some form of indication

Emphasizes that there's an indication present, though its exact nature might be vague.

a semblance of indication

Highlights that the indication might be superficial or not entirely reliable.

a clue of sorts

Replaces "indicator" with "clue", suggesting a piece of information that helps in solving a problem or mystery.

a hint of sorts

Substitutes "indicator" with "hint", making the indication more subtle and indirect.

a rough indicator

Highlights that the indicator is not precise or refined.

FAQs

How can I use "indicator of sorts" in a sentence?

Use "indicator of sorts" when you want to describe something as a type of indication, but not necessarily a definitive or standard one. For example: "The increase in social media engagement is an "indicator of sorts" that our marketing strategy is resonating with our audience."

What are some alternatives to "indicator of sorts"?

You can use alternatives like "a kind of indication", "a signal of sorts", or "a suggestion of sorts" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "indicator of sorts" in formal writing?

While "indicator of sorts" is grammatically correct, it may be more suitable for informal or semi-formal writing. In formal contexts, consider using more precise terms like "sign", "signal", or "indication" without the qualification of "of sorts".

What does "of sorts" add to the meaning of "indicator"?

The addition of "of sorts" softens the meaning of "indicator", implying that the indication is not perfect, complete, or entirely reliable. It suggests a loose or approximate type of indication.