it would signify

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it would signify" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when explaining the meaning or implication of something in a hypothetical context. Example: "If the project is approved, it would signify a major step forward for our company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

It would signify the brutality of this government.

The New York Times

It would signify that she had returned to a condition of weakness, for it was an addiction in its way.

The New York Times - Style

Paul and I had talked a lot about my posing nude: how we would do it, what it would signify.

The Guardian - Arts

I think if a woman wrestler was in government it would signify a big change for all the women who have been shut out of our country's political, economic and social life.

Independent

It would signify a full stop for a kind of German indulgence that regards Russia as a only dose of patience's distance from democracy and cooperation, and that provides Mr. Putin with Western leverage and Western hesitation.

The New York Times

"It would signify an acknowledgment that brown and black lives matter – and that they matter to the extent that we are willing to take honest, genuine steps to address historical violence against them".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

But the Richmond measure was on the city's ballot, which, if it passed, would signify that, at least in this one case, soda taxes had popular support.

The New Yorker

Or maybe it's because to admit otherwise would signify a loss of time and money too awful to contemplate.

The Guardian - Opinion

Places like France, the Netherlands and Switzerland have never gone through the systematic confidence-building and psychological investment in its newcomers that affirmative action would signify.

The New York Times

All she could think was to tear a piece of a page from one of the hymnals and fold it into the shape of a snake, which would signify something, though she wasn't sure what, exactly.

The New Yorker

Women found new ways to demonstrate their leisurely unemployment, and fashion developed into a great industry that reached high and low, creating styles and brands that would signify status more literally than it had ever been signified before.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it would signify" to convey a sense of importance or symbolic meaning beyond a simple result. It adds a layer of depth to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "it would signify" in contexts where a simpler phrase like "it would mean" is more appropriate. Overusing it can make your writing sound pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it would signify" functions as a conditional expression that introduces the consequence or the meaning of a hypothetical situation. It is used to attribute significance to an event or action.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it would signify" is a useful phrase for expressing the meaning or consequence of a hypothetical event, with Ludwig confirming its grammatical correctness. It indicates the importance or symbolic meaning behind a potential outcome, appearing most frequently in News & Media and Science contexts. While versatile, it's best reserved for situations where a sense of depth or importance is intended, and it is advisable not to overuse it in contexts where simpler phrases would be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it would mean

A more direct and common alternative, simply stating the consequence.

it would imply

Replaces "signify" with "imply", focusing on suggestion rather than explicit meaning.

it would indicate

Replaces "signify" with "indicate", focusing on pointing out something.

it would suggest

Similar to "imply", but with a slightly weaker connotation of indirect indication.

it would point to

Focuses on directing attention or suggesting a particular outcome.

it would represent

Focuses on the idea of standing for something else.

it would entail

Highlights the consequence as a necessary result.

it would be indicative of

More formal way of suggesting that something is a sign or symptom of something else.

it would amount to

Emphasizes the final result or total effect of something.

it would establish

Focuses on setting up or creating something as a result.

FAQs

What does "it would signify" mean?

The phrase "it would signify" means that something would act as a sign or indication of something else, often implying importance or consequence.

How can I use "it would signify" in a sentence?

You can use "it would signify" to explain the importance or the symbolical meaning of something. For example: "If they accept the offer, "it would signify" a new beginning for the company".

What are some alternatives to "it would signify"?

Alternatives include "it would mean", "it would indicate", or "it would imply", depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "it would signify" and "it would mean"?

While similar, "it would signify" often carries a stronger sense of importance or symbolic weight than the more general phrase "it would mean". "Signify" suggests a deeper, more meaningful representation.