positive indication

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "positive indication" is correct and usable in written English.
For example, "The results of this study provide a positive indication of the effectiveness of the program." You can use this phrase when you want to say that something provides evidence that something else is good or successful.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the final blind test, MAPS-FR experts correctly indicated 100% of wire breaks with false positive indication over correct indications.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

"Volkswagen never gave any positive indication to the takeover code," Mr. Tobin said.

The New York Times

This shift is a positive indication that the protein is present and in what quantity.

Stanford University

"Or the strong broadcast upfront could be a positive indication for the entire media economy.

The New York Times

However Social Skill domain recorded drastic improvement score and this is a positive indication.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

While a positive indication, the second quarter G.D.P. showed just how much the economy contracted last winter.

The New York Times

The results gave a positive indication about CHAIN's technical qualities and provided insights that could inform future work.

Journal of Systems and Software

The most positive indication is the resolve of the group's election observer mission, the first to be very critical of an important O.A.S. member.

The New York Times

But Gandhi's philosophy makes me optimistic that this is a positive indication that we are closing in on the changes we are campaigning for.

The Guardian

"These figures, along with our continuing progress towards our access agreement targets for disadvantaged groups of students, are a positive indication that all our work is bearing fruit.

The Guardian

However, a recent commitment by the Somali government at the first ever national forum is a positive indication that things may finally be changing.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "positive indication" when you want to highlight something as evidence of progress or success. For example, instead of saying "The study showed good results", you can say "The study showed a "positive indication" of improvement".

Common error

Avoid using "positive indication" in very casual conversations. Simpler phrases like "good sign" or "things are looking up" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "positive indication" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or object. It signifies that something serves as evidence or suggests a favorable trend or outcome. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples showing its versatility across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

31%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "positive indication" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression that signals evidence of progress or a favorable outcome. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is prevalent across various contexts, especially in science, news, and formal business settings. While it's a valuable tool for expressing optimism based on facts, it's advisable to adjust the register depending on the audience, favoring more informal alternatives in casual settings. Understanding its function and purpose ensures its effective use in both writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

favorable indication

Replaces 'positive' with a synonym, emphasizing a beneficial aspect.

encouraging sign

Substitutes 'indication' with 'sign' and 'positive' with 'encouraging', suggesting optimism.

promising development

Changes both words to convey progress and hope.

optimistic signal

Replaces 'indication' with 'signal', suggesting information pointing to a favorable outcome.

reassuring evidence

Conveys confidence and reduced anxiety.

affirmative result

Indicates a confirmation or validation of something.

good omen

Suggests a sign of future success or good fortune.

hopeful sign

Expresses optimism about future events or outcomes.

auspicious signal

Implies that a situation is favorable for success.

bright prospect

Indicates a favorable outlook or potential for success.

FAQs

How can I use "positive indication" in a sentence?

You can use "positive indication" to show that something suggests a favorable outcome. For instance, "The increase in sales is a "positive indication" that the new marketing strategy is working."

What's an alternative to using the phrase "positive indication"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "favorable indication", "encouraging sign", or "promising development".

Is it better to say "positive indication" or "good sign"?

The choice depends on the context. "Positive indication" is more formal and often used in professional or academic settings. "Good sign" is more informal and suitable for casual conversation.

What does "positive indication" mean in a medical context?

In a medical context, "positive indication" typically means a test result or symptom that suggests the presence of a particular condition or disease.