preliminary sign

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "preliminary sign" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an initial indication or signal that suggests a certain outcome or condition may occur. Example: "The preliminary sign of improvement in the patient's condition was encouraging for the medical team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In 2012 after learning that a flood closely following a drought was a preliminary sign of an outbreak of cholera Kira predicted the first cholera outbreak in over 130 years, something the government and medical experts didn't see coming.

Vice

However, in June 2011, users found that a trailer for Limbo appeared on the Steam software service, which journalists such as PC Gamer took as a preliminary sign that a Microsoft Windows version would be released.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

But there are preliminary signs of improvement.

The New York Times - Sports

But environmental advocates say the preliminary signs are not encouraging.

The New York Times

It would be foolish to guess, but preliminary signs, at least, seem promising.

The New York Times - Arts

More broadly, there are preliminary signs that overall, online sales this holiday season will fall short of expectations.

The New York Times

There are also preliminary signs that the data from 2010 may indicate the end of the good news.

The New York Times

Experimental drugs show preliminary signs of improving eyesight in some elderly people who suffer from a disease that causes blindness, scientists said at a conference here today.

The New York Times

"However, there are preliminary signs that the result has affected sentiment among households and companies, with sharp falls in some measures of business and consumer confidence".

The Guardian - Business

Recently, he began corresponding with the daughter of Lily Boeykens, the country's most prominent feminist, who asked for euthanasia because she showed preliminary signs of Alzheimer's.

The New Yorker

But as gasoline prices have fallen back to a nationwide average of $1.66 a gallon, there are preliminary signs that consumption may be picking up again.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "preliminary sign", ensure that you provide context about what the sign is indicating. This helps the reader understand the potential implications of the sign. For example, "The decreasing sales figures were a preliminary sign of an economic downturn."

Common error

Avoid treating a "preliminary sign" as a guaranteed prediction. It's an early indication, not a certain outcome. Further investigation or evidence is often needed to confirm the initial impression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preliminary sign" functions as a noun phrase, where "preliminary" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "sign". It serves to describe an early or initial indication of something, as evidenced in the examples provided by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "preliminary sign" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that denotes an initial indication or early signal. Ludwig AI's analysis reveals its use across various contexts, including news, science, and general knowledge. Although relatively infrequent, it is understood and accepted, emphasizing the need for further investigation rather than definitive conclusions. Writers should use "preliminary sign" to signal the potential for future developments, while clarifying that it is not a certainty. Its versatile nature makes it a valuable tool, provided it is used judiciously.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initial indication

Focuses on the idea of something being the very first hint.

early warning

Highlights the function of alerting to something that might happen.

first sign

Simple and direct, emphasizes the chronological order.

precursor

A more formal term for something that comes before and indicates something else.

leading indicator

Commonly used in economics and business to forecast future trends.

early symptom

Used particularly in medical contexts to indicate the beginning of a condition.

initial signal

Highlights that something is giving off an early sign, often in a technical context.

incipient symptom

Focuses on the very beginning phase of something arising.

hint

A subtle or indirect indication.

omen

Implies a sign of something important or impactful about to happen, often with mystical and religious roots.

FAQs

How can I use "preliminary sign" in a sentence?

You can use "preliminary sign" to describe an early indication of something that may happen or exist. For example, "The increase in customer inquiries was a "preliminary sign" of growing interest in the new product."

What are some alternatives to "preliminary sign"?

Some alternatives to "preliminary sign" include "initial indication", "early warning", or "first sign". The best choice depends on the context.

Is it accurate to rely solely on a "preliminary sign"?

No, it's not advisable to rely solely on a "preliminary sign". It represents an early indication, suggesting a potential trend or outcome, but it's not definitive. Always seek additional information or confirmation.

What's the difference between a "preliminary sign" and a confirmed diagnosis?

A "preliminary sign" is an early indication, while a confirmed diagnosis is a definitive identification of a condition or situation based on thorough examination and evidence. The "preliminary sign" suggests a possibility, whereas the diagnosis provides certainty.