not a sign

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not a sign" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something does not indicate or suggest a particular meaning or outcome. Example: "The absence of any noise during the meeting is not a sign of agreement among the participants."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Not a sign, not a flier, nothing".

The New York Times

"Diplomacy is not a sign of weakness.

The Economist

Not a sign of resignation.

The New York Times

Not a sign of life.

The New York Times - Travel

Whining is not a sign of attitude.

The New York Times - Sports

This is not a sign of vanity.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Not a sign," he said yesterday.

The New York Times

I hope this is not a sign.

The Guardian - Music

Fever is not a sign in this disorder.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But that is not a sign of weakness.

The Economist

"The hijab is not a sign of separation.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not a sign" to clearly and concisely convey the absence of any indication or evidence of something. This phrase is effective in emphasizing a lack of something expected or sought after.

Common error

Avoid assuming that the absence of a sign automatically confirms an opposite outcome. "Not a sign" simply indicates a lack of evidence, not necessarily the presence of an alternative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not a sign" primarily functions as a negative existential statement, indicating the absence of something. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable. It negates the existence or visibility of a particular thing or indication.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Wiki

23%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not a sign" is a versatile phrase used to indicate the absence of something, validated by Ludwig AI as grammatically sound and widely applicable. It's frequently found in news and media, as well as informal contexts, expressing the lack of indication or evidence. When writing, remember that while it denotes absence, it doesn't automatically confirm an opposite outcome. Alternatives such as "no indication" or "no trace" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. The phrase maintains a neutral register and serves primarily to inform about a lack of something expected or sought after.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no indication

Replaces "sign" with "indication", offering a slightly more formal tone.

no evidence

Substitutes "sign" with "evidence", emphasizing the lack of proof.

no trace

Emphasizes the complete absence of something, similar to "not a sign".

no hint

Implies a lack of subtle clues, akin to "not a sign".

no mark

Replaces "sign" with "mark", suggesting the absence of a visible indication.

no clue

Indicates a complete lack of understanding or awareness.

nothing visible

Highlights the absence of anything that can be seen.

nothing apparent

Suggests that there is nothing that is easily noticed or understood.

absence of any indication

A more formal and emphatic way of saying "not a sign".

no vestige

Indicates the complete disappearance of something, leaving no remaining trace.

FAQs

How can I use "not a sign" in a sentence?

You can use "not a sign" to indicate the absence of something, as in "There was "not a sign" of struggle at the scene" or "After searching for hours, there was "not a sign" of the missing hikers".

What are some alternatives to saying "not a sign"?

Alternatives include phrases like "no indication", "no evidence", or "no trace", which all convey a similar meaning of absence or lack of something.

Is it correct to say "there isn't a sign" instead of "there is not a sign"?

Both "there isn't a sign" and "there is "not a sign"" are grammatically correct, but "there isn't a sign" is more common in informal contexts due to the contraction. The meaning remains the same.

What does it mean when someone says "not a sign of life"?

When someone says ""not a sign" of life", it means there is no indication that anyone is alive or present. It suggests a complete absence of activity or existence in a particular place or situation.