just indicating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "just indicating" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to clarify that you are merely pointing something out or making a suggestion without implying any deeper meaning or commitment. Example: "I'm just indicating that there might be a better way to approach this problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

I thought they were going to for a minute, but I think Thorpe was just indicating that Daley should walk ahead of him.

The Guardian - Sport

Several people occasionally did this work, including me, but Harling turned it into an art, not just indicating, say, the position and dimensions of a photograph but also roughly reproducing it as a drawing.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Otis was a little more specific than just indicating he wanted the Times to be among the top U.S. newspapers," Nick Williams, the editor of the Times from 1958 until 1971, said later of Otis Chandler's ascension to publisher.

The New Yorker

"Just cockpit distractions, that's all I can say," said a crew member, according to the transcript, which puts an asterisk next to "just," indicating that transcription of the word is uncertain because of audio quality.

The New York Times

Some researchers talk about city states which, by definition, is just indicating the fact that they should be able to pay for their imports [22, 23, 24].

European Journal of Futures Research

For sports events, SeatGeek goes beyond just indicating that with heat maps, coloring dots to represent how good a deal each ticket is based on its algorithms (example).

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

"The record just indicates it's phosgene," he said.

The New York Times

"It just indicates the extremity of the situation".

The New York Times

"It just indicates the degree to which the market rose over just that four-month period".

The New York Times

Other people do all the great detail that you just indicate when you write.

The New York Times

That just indicates that this is profitable for the patent bar".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "just indicating" to soften a statement or suggestion, making it less forceful or assertive. This is especially useful when presenting potentially controversial or uncertain information.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "just indicating" in formal or academic writing. While it can soften language, overuse may weaken your argument. Consider stronger verbs like 'demonstrates', 'suggests', or 'establishes' for more impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just indicating" functions as a qualifier to soften the force of a statement. It introduces an element of suggestion or possibility, as seen in Ludwig's examples where it's used to present a potential cause or interpretation without asserting it definitively. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness of its usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

46%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "just indicating" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to introduce a suggestion or observation without strong assertion. As Ludwig AI points out, it is effective for softening statements, particularly in contexts where certainty is not possible. Predominantly found in science and news media, "just indicating" maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for a variety of writing styles. Related phrases like "simply pointing out" and "merely suggesting" offer similar nuances, while overuse in formal writing should be avoided to maintain impact. Ultimately, the choice of "just indicating" can provide a subtle way to offer data.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

simply pointing out

Emphasizes the straightforward nature of the indication, minimizing any implied complexity.

merely suggesting

Highlights the tentative nature of the indication, presenting it as a possibility rather than a certainty.

only hinting at

Conveys a subtle or indirect form of indication, implying that the full meaning is not explicitly stated.

briefly mentioning

Focuses on the concise and cursory nature of the indication, suggesting it's not a major focus.

partially revealing

Highlights that not all information is revealed.

tentatively proposing

Highlights a proposal withouth certainty.

lightly touching on

Suggests a brief and non-intensive discussion.

casually alluding to

Suggests an indirect reference.

superficially noting

Implies lack of deep analysis.

implicitly signaling

Conveys the indication through subtle cues rather than direct statement.

FAQs

How can I use "just indicating" in a sentence?

You can use "just indicating" to introduce a suggestion or a piece of information without asserting it strongly. For example, "I'm "just indicating" that there might be a better solution to this problem".

What phrases can I use instead of "just indicating"?

You can use alternatives like "simply pointing out", "merely suggesting", or "only hinting at" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "just indicating" or "simply stating"?

Whether to use "just indicating" or "simply stating" depends on the context. "Just indicating" implies a degree of tentativeness or indirectness, while "simply stating" suggests a direct and straightforward assertion.

What's the difference between "just indicating" and "clearly demonstrating"?

"Just indicating" implies a subtle suggestion or pointing out, while "clearly demonstrating" suggests a conclusive and evident display of information.