it must indicate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it must indicate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something should show or suggest a particular meaning or conclusion. Example: "The results of the experiment are clear; it must indicate a significant change in the chemical composition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Odd as that seems, it must indicate that street photography was not yet so common and that "the common man" did not yet assume he was an object worth studying.

The New York Times - Arts

Leibowitz does note the possibility of exceptions where individuals arrive at practice based on "faith," rather than practice, though he believes that it must indicate a prior religious propensity.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Reviewer´s comment: I must indicate that I am not an expert in membrane computing.

Biology Direct

If this was the case, it was argued, then its extraordinary brightness must indicate that M31 cannot be very far away, certainly not outside the local system of stars.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And yet, it will return – which must indicate that at least some people are watching.

TechCrunch

Finally, recognition memory is examined after the long-delay cued recall by reading aloud each word on a 44-word list, while subjects must indicate whether it is a target word (i.e., from list A) or a distractor.

Brain Structure and Function

But a product that is "water resistant" must indicate on its label whether it is effective for 40 minutes or 80 minutes while swimming or sweating, based on standard testing.

Huffington Post

A Welsh government spokesperson said: "In line with the agreed guidance on consultations on proposed service changes, any referral by a community health council must indicate alternative options which it believes will better serve patients.

BBC

Any time you borrow information from another source, you must indicate this in your paper, otherwise it's plagiarism.

WikiHow

In relation to the budget proposal, the applicant must indicate the distribution of the budget divided into its contribution and UNICEF's separately for each activity?

Unicef

That same-sex marriage could go from its preliminary draft of "diagnosable" to the final edit of "so what?" must indicate some positive evolution on the part of the larger human consciousness.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it must indicate" when you want to convey a logical inference or deduction based on presented evidence. Ensure the context supports a strong suggestion rather than a mere possibility.

Common error

Avoid using "it must indicate" when the evidence is weak or ambiguous. Opt for phrases like "it may suggest" or "it could imply" to reflect uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it must indicate" functions as a modal verb phrase, expressing a strong inference or logical conclusion. As Ludwig AI reports, it conveys that something should show or suggest a particular meaning or conclusion based on available information. Examples from Ludwig show it used to infer meanings from observations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

8%

Science

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it must indicate" is a grammatically correct modal verb phrase used to express a strong inference or logical conclusion. Ludwig AI confirms its usability for suggesting a particular meaning based on available evidence. While not overly common, it appears in reputable sources such as The New York Times and academic publications. When using this phrase, ensure that the context supports a robust deduction rather than speculation, avoiding overstatement of certainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it necessarily implies

Emphasizes a logical necessity in the implication, stronger than a simple indication.

it strongly suggests

Highlights the strength of the suggestion or hint, focusing on probability.

it clearly demonstrates

Focuses on the clarity and unambiguity of the demonstration, suggesting proof.

it logically follows that

Highlights the logical sequence leading to a conclusion, emphasizing reasoning.

it stands to reason that

Emphasizes the reasonableness and common sense aspect of the conclusion.

it points to the fact that

Focuses on directing attention to a specific fact or circumstance.

it serves as evidence that

Highlights the role of something as proof or supporting information.

it hints at the possibility of

Suggests a potential outcome or explanation, but with less certainty.

it leads one to believe that

Highlights the subjective aspect of belief formation based on available information.

it gives reason to think that

Provides a justification or basis for a particular thought or idea.

FAQs

How can I use "it must indicate" in a sentence?

Use "it must indicate" to express a logical deduction or inference based on available evidence. For example: "The sharp decline in sales must indicate a shift in consumer preferences."

What's a stronger alternative to "it must indicate"?

If you want to convey a higher degree of certainty, consider using phrases like "it necessarily implies" or "it clearly demonstrates".

What's a weaker alternative to "it must indicate"?

If there is some uncertainty or the evidence isn't conclusive, consider using alternatives like "it may suggest" or "it could imply".

Is "it must indicate" formal or informal?

"It must indicate" is generally suitable for neutral to formal contexts, depending on the surrounding language. In very informal situations, simpler expressions may be preferred.