marked with an asterisk

USAGE SUMMARY

Using an asterisk to mark a part of a sentence is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to show that you are making a correction, for example: Sarah went to the shop*s to buy some food. (Here, the asterisk indicates that 'shop' should be 'shops'.).

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Incumbents are marked with an asterisk.

The New York Times

The exogenous HSF2 is marked with an asterisk.

Nature

First-time nominees are marked with an asterisk.

The Washington Post

All required fields are marked with an asterisk.

Harvard University

All fields marked with an asterisk are required.

Harvard University

Conditions marked with an asterisk contain 0.5X CES.

Nature

A: Selig said no records will be changed or marked with an asterisk.

The New York Times

That prompts Mr. Reyes to note that eBay's return should be marked with an asterisk.

The New York Times

Metabolites that changed after vitamin E treatment are marked with an asterisk.

Nature

Courses marked with an asterisk are under more than one theme.

Columbia University

*Activities marked with an asterisk require advanced sign-up due to limited space.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Maintain consistency in the use of asterisks. If you use a single asterisk to denote one condition, do not use it to denote a different condition elsewhere in the document without clearly defining the change in meaning.

Common error

Avoid assuming that all readers understand the meaning of an asterisk without an explanation. Always define what "marked with an asterisk" signifies to prevent confusion or misinterpretation of the data.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "marked with an asterisk" functions primarily as a descriptor or identifier. It signifies that a particular item, entry, or piece of data has been specifically flagged or annotated for a particular reason. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

Academia

28%

News & Media

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "marked with an asterisk" is a versatile and frequently used way to flag specific items or conditions requiring further attention. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely accepted across numerous contexts. Primarily found in science, academia, and news media, it signals that the asterisk provides additional information, caveats, or exceptional conditions. When using this phrase, clarity and consistency are key. Always define what the asterisk means and maintain that meaning throughout your writing. Alternatives such as "/s/denoted+by+an+asterisk" or "/s/indicated+with+a+star" can provide stylistic variation. Avoiding assumptions about reader understanding is vital to ensure clarity and prevent misinterpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

denoted by an asterisk

Changes the verb and preposition while maintaining the core meaning of indication by asterisk.

indicated with a star

Substitutes "asterisk" with "star", a common synonym, and slightly alters the verb.

designated by an asterisk

Replaces "marked" with "designated", offering a more formal tone but similar meaning.

identified by an asterisk

Focuses on the identification aspect, suggesting that the asterisk serves to pinpoint specific items.

asterisked

A more concise, single-word alternative that directly implies the action of marking with an asterisk.

with an asterisk

Shortened version of the phrase, implying that the presence of an asterisk is the key identifier.

flagged with an asterisk

Emphasizes that the asterisk serves as a flag or signal for attention.

annotated with an asterisk

Highlights the annotation aspect, suggesting the asterisk provides additional information.

accompanied by an asterisk

Indicates that the asterisk is a companion marker, rather than the primary identifier.

followed by an asterisk

Specifies the positional relationship between the item and the asterisk.

FAQs

How do I properly use "marked with an asterisk" in a sentence?

Use "marked with an asterisk" to indicate that a specific term, item, or condition has a special annotation or requires further explanation. For example, "All values /s/designated+by+an+asterisk are significant at p < 0.05."

What's a good alternative to "marked with an asterisk"?

Alternatives include "/s/denoted+by+an+asterisk", "/s/indicated+with+a+star", or "/s/designated+by+an+asterisk", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When should I use "marked with an asterisk" instead of simply explaining the condition directly?

Use "marked with an asterisk" when you have multiple items or conditions to flag throughout a document and want to avoid repeating the same explanation for each. It's most effective when paired with a clear legend or key.

Is it acceptable to use multiple asterisks (e.g., **, ***) to indicate different levels of significance when using "marked with an asterisk"?

Yes, using multiple asterisks to denote varying degrees of significance is a common practice, especially in statistical tables. However, always provide a clear explanation of what each level of asterisk (e.g., *, **, ***) represents.