initial indicator

USAGE SUMMARY

"initial indicator" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It refers to a word or phrase at the beginning of a sentence that indicates the topic or direction of the rest of the sentence. It can also be used to describe the first word or phrase that sets the tone for a piece of writing. Example: "In the initial indicator of the article, the author signals that they will be discussing the impact of technology on modern society."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

"The initial indicator is in the charter market — that is increasing; discretionary calls to charters have shown some change," Mr. Dixon said.

The New York Times

Although it is proven valid statistically, however, SHS is only relevant as an initial indicator to investigate the impacts of thermal behaviour and discomfort level.

Measurement

The authors accept that the research, while wide-ranging, cannot prove definitively why people use food banks or how many use them, but argue that it provides an initial indicator of the scale and prevalence of issues leading people to accept charity food, and call on ministers to commission more authoritative data on food insecurity, as happens in the US and Canada.

The Guardian

The variety seen here is an initial indicator of the diversity in image fusion approaches.

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

This seems to be repeating itself here, with Renesas serving as an initial indicator that happy days today eventually will give way to tougher business conditions.

Forbes

And it's important to remember if you are a consumer, you need to minimize your risk of exposure and do whatever is necessary to detect victimization (for example, checking your credit regularly can be an initial indicator that something's gone horribly wrong) and put a damage control program in place.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Blood physiological indices, which are usually considered as initial indicators for the health status of patients, have been used to group patients for heat stroke studies on CASQ1 mutations.

Genomics, Proteomics and Bioinformatics

There were no initial indicators that the Nice attacker had links with extremist groups.

The Guardian - Opinion

And in states that have enacted AVR, it has significantly increased voter registration, and initial indicators point to increased voter participation in elections.

The Guardian - Opinion

Only two studies measured at the level of the individual plant and only two studies included initial indicators of plant size or other biological starting point.

Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment

Based on the strategic goals of Jinan city, 20 responsibility departments and 152 initial indicators are identified by using the SRR framework.

Ecological Indicators

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "initial indicator", ensure that you clarify what further investigation or steps should follow to confirm or expand upon the information it provides. Don't present it as conclusive evidence.

Common error

Avoid assuming that because something serves as an "initial indicator", it directly causes the outcome. It might just be an early sign of a more complex process or have an indirect relationship to the final result.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "initial indicator" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a subject complement or object in a sentence. As shown in the Ludwig examples, it identifies something as a preliminary sign or symptom. Ludwig AI also confirms that it's a valid and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

64%

News & Media

24%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "initial indicator" is a commonly used noun phrase that serves to highlight a preliminary sign or symptom meriting further attention. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically sound and frequently appears in academic and scientific contexts. The term’s purpose is to denote an early signal, emphasizing the need for additional inquiry rather than presenting a definitive conclusion. It is important to remember that it is more than just a hint, serving as an alert that prompts further exploration. Consider substituting the phrase with alternatives like "preliminary sign" or "early signal" to suit different writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

early indication

Changes "indicator" to "indication", maintaining the sense of something that points to a future condition.

early marker

Uses "marker" to convey a sign that something exists or will happen.

preliminary sign

Replaces "indicator" with "sign" and "initial" with "preliminary", emphasizing an early signal.

early signal

Simplifies the phrase using "early" instead of "initial" and "signal" instead of "indicator".

first sign

Emphasizes sequence with "first" instead of "initial" and uses "sign" instead of "indicator".

initial symptom

Replaces "indicator" with symptom emphasizing a diagnostic characteristic.

preliminary evidence

Uses "evidence" rather than "indicator", suggesting something that supports a claim.

starting point

Uses a more general term for beginning assessment, focusing on a point of origin for evaluation.

first clue

Uses "clue" to emphasize a hint or piece of information that helps solve a problem or mystery.

opening gambit

Employs a strategic tone by alluding to an opening move or tactic.

FAQs

How can "initial indicator" be used in a sentence?

You can use "initial indicator" to describe something that serves as a preliminary sign or symptom. For instance, "Increased website traffic can be an "initial indicator" of a successful marketing campaign".

What phrases are similar to "initial indicator"?

Similar phrases include "preliminary sign", "early signal", or "first sign". The choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "initial indicator" or "primary indicator"?

"Initial indicator" suggests the first sign, while "primary indicator" suggests the most important sign. Use "initial indicator" when referring to the first clue and "primary indicator" when referring to the main or most important sign.

Can "initial indicator" be considered definitive proof?

No, an "initial indicator" is not definitive proof. It's a preliminary sign that suggests the need for further investigation and confirmation. It provides an early clue, not a final answer.