is any indication

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is any indication" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are describing something that appears to be true based on certain signs or evidence. For example, "If the number of people attending the event is any indication, it was a huge success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

If history is any indication, they'll come.

The New York Times

Not if this trailer is any indication.

The Guardian - Film

A lot, if Manhattan is any indication.

The New York Times

And if a recent visit is any indication, they do.

The New York Times

Apparently not, if Long Island's steakhouse boom is any indication.

The New York Times

If Van Gundy is any indication, coaches certainly do.

The New York Times - Sports

If Compass Point is any indication, Junkanoo is something.

The New York Times - Travel

If Calipari is any indication, the membership has not learned.

The New York Times - Sports

(And have succeeded, if my mail is any indication).

The New York Times

If my own reaction is any indication, it's no wonder.

The New Yorker

If history is any indication, he's almost certainly right.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "is any indication" with a specific timeframe (e.g., "if recent performance is any indication") to add precision and relevance to your statement.

Common error

Avoid treating the indication as a guarantee. "Is any indication" suggests a probability, not an absolute certainty. Temper your conclusion accordingly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is any indication" functions as an inferential marker, suggesting a conclusion or prediction based on existing evidence. It's a way of saying that something seems likely to be true based on what has been observed. Ludwig shows it's commonly used to draw conclusions from various sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

17%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is any indication" is a useful tool for suggesting a likely outcome based on existing evidence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Academia. When using the phrase, remember to avoid overstating the certainty of your conclusion and to consider the specific timeframe of the evidence you are referencing. Alternatives include "if this is anything to go by" and "judging by this", but each carries slightly different nuances. With its frequent usage across credible sources, "is any indication" remains a solid choice for conveying informed speculation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if this is anything to go by

This alternative implies drawing a conclusion from a specific instance or example.

if this is anything to judge by

Similar to "if this is anything to go by", but emphasizes the act of judging.

if what we've seen is anything to go by

This phrase implies a broader assessment based on a collection of past observations.

if this is a sign of things to come

This phrase suggests that the current situation is a predictor of future events.

judging by this

This alternative focuses on making a judgment or assessment based on current evidence.

based on this evidence

This phrase highlights the evidentiary basis for a conclusion.

to all appearances

This alternative suggests something seems to be the case based on how it appears.

from all that can be seen

This phrase emphasizes the visual or observable aspects of the evidence.

as far as one can tell

This alternative suggests a conclusion based on limited or incomplete information.

the writing is on the wall

This idiom suggests an impending outcome that is clearly predictable based on current events.

FAQs

How can I use "is any indication" in a sentence?

You can use "is any indication" to suggest that something is likely to be true based on existing evidence. For instance, "If the early sales figures "is any indication", the product will be a success".

What's a good alternative to "is any indication"?

Alternatives include "if this is anything to go by", "judging by this", or "based on this evidence", which all imply drawing a conclusion from existing information.

What does "is any indication" imply about the certainty of a statement?

"Is any indication" implies a degree of probability, not absolute certainty. It suggests a likely outcome based on current signs or evidence, but acknowledges that other outcomes are possible.

Is it better to use "is any indication" or "proves that"?

Use "is any indication" when you want to suggest a likely outcome without absolute proof. Use "proves that" only when you have definitive evidence. The former is more cautious and suitable when the evidence is suggestive but not conclusive.