positive indicator

USAGE SUMMARY

"positive indicator" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when discussing a behavior, event, or trend that suggests something favorable, such as "The recent rise in the stock market is a positive indicator of a strong economy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Is that a positive indicator?

The New York Times

The track record is not a positive indicator".

The New York Times

This was consistently cited as a positive indicator for Clinton.

Princeton University

This is a positive indicator for Africa's job creation, poverty reduction and economic growth.

The Guardian

Any experience you have had in assisting the most disadvantaged members of society will be a positive indicator for recruiters.

The Guardian - Money

We believe if we have a Jewish ambassador and Jews in the Shura Council, this is a positive indicator for the country".

The New York Times

He strode into the Masters, the United States Open and the British Open having won his last start, always a positive indicator.

The New York Times - Sports

Contrarians could argue that is a positive indicator: foreign investors rarely show good market timing in most parts of the world, presumably for want of local knowledge.

The New York Times

And this was a very positive indicator of where we're headed over the next four weeks," said National Retail Federation spokesman Bill Thorne.

The Washington Post

Investors often see a decision by a company to buy back its own shares as a positive indicator.

The Economist

Like the new steps toward liberalizing energy prices, Shanghai's new free-trade zone is another positive indicator.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "positive indicator", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being indicated and why it is considered positive. For example, 'The increase in customer satisfaction scores is a "positive indicator" of improved service quality'.

Common error

Avoid treating a "positive indicator" as a definitive guarantee of success. It's a sign, not a certainty. Nuance your language to reflect the probabilistic nature of indicators.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "positive indicator" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where 'positive' modifies 'indicator'. It serves to characterize a sign, metric, or piece of data as suggesting a favorable trend or outcome. According to Ludwig AI, it is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "positive indicator" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term to describe a sign or piece of data suggesting a favorable trend. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is deemed suitable for use in English writing. As this analysis shows, the phrase appears most often in news, science, and business contexts, implying its widespread relevance. To ensure clear communication, specify what is being indicated and avoid overstating its significance. When in doubt, consider using alternatives like "favorable sign" or "encouraging signal" to add nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

favorable sign

Replaces 'indicator' with 'sign', emphasizing the indicative nature of the positive aspect.

encouraging signal

Substitutes 'positive' with 'encouraging' and 'indicator' with 'signal', focusing on the motivational aspect of the indication.

optimistic indication

Interchanges 'positive' with 'optimistic', highlighting the hopeful nature of the sign.

promising development

Replaces the whole phrase with one denoting change, focusing on the potential outcome of a series of events.

affirmative indication

Replaces 'positive' with 'affirmative', stressing confirmation or validation.

constructive development

Uses 'constructive' and 'development' to emphasize progress and improvement.

auspicious omen

Uses 'auspicious' and 'omen' for a more formal and predictive tone, referring to something that portends future success.

uplifting trend

Highlights the beneficial direction of a specific movement or pattern.

bullish signal

Replaces 'positive' with 'bullish' for the context of financial markets, specifically indicating an upward trend.

welcome sign

Focuses on the pleasant or agreeable aspect of the indicator.

FAQs

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

Use "positive indicator" to describe a sign or piece of information that suggests a favorable outcome or trend. For example, "Increased investment in renewable energy is a "positive indicator" of a shift towards sustainable practices."

What are some alternatives to "positive indicator"?

You can use alternatives like "favorable sign", "encouraging signal", or "promising development" depending on the specific context.

Is it always accurate to consider something as a "positive indicator"?

No, a "positive indicator" suggests a likelihood, not a certainty. It's important to consider other factors and potential confounding variables before drawing firm conclusions. It is advisable to nuance your language to reflect the probabilistic nature of indicators.

What's the difference between a "positive indicator" and a "leading indicator"?

A "positive indicator" is a general term for any sign suggesting a good outcome. A "leading indicator" is a specific type of metric that economists and analysts use to predict future economic activity.