promising sign

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "promising sign" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a positive indication or evidence of potential success or improvement in a situation. Example: "The recent increase in sales is a promising sign for the company's future growth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Again, a very promising sign.

The New York Times - Travel

Mickelson's playfulness was a promising sign.

The New York Times - Sports

Irene took it as a promising sign.

The New York Times - Travel

That had to be a promising sign.

The New York Times

The doctor "said it was a very very promising sign".

The New York Times - Health

This Kerkdijk took as a particularly promising sign.

The New Yorker

But in a more promising sign, rates on mortgages declined.

The New York Times

That isn't a promising sign for the stock market.

The New York Times

In a promising sign, the 2015 edition is being televised for the first time in Germany.

The Guardian - Sport

Though Labour's loss of 23 seats might not seem enormous, it's not a promising sign.

The Guardian - Opinion

That could be just one more promising sign of better things to come.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "promising sign" to introduce an element of hope or potential in a situation, especially when discussing trends, changes, or initial results. It's particularly effective when you want to convey cautious optimism without overstating the likelihood of success.

Common error

Avoid using "promising sign" when the evidence is weak or anecdotal. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact and make your assessment seem less credible. Ensure the sign genuinely suggests a positive future, rather than being a fleeting or insignificant occurrence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "promising sign" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "promising" modifies the noun "sign". It serves to qualify the nature of the sign as something positive or indicative of a favorable outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "promising sign" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that indicates a positive trend or potential outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely used across numerous contexts, particularly within news and media. While versatile, it's important to ensure its usage is substantiated by credible evidence to avoid overstating the likelihood of success. Consider alternatives such as "encouraging indication" or "auspicious signal" to refine your message. Ultimately, "promising sign" serves as a valuable tool for expressing cautious optimism and highlighting positive developments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encouraging indication

Replaces "sign" with a more formal noun, "indication", while retaining the positive connotation.

auspicious signal

Uses "auspicious" to emphasize the favorable nature of the sign, and "signal" as a more technical synonym.

hopeful development

Shifts the focus to the progression implied by a "development", suggesting a positive trend.

positive omen

Employs "omen" to suggest a predictive element, implying future success or good fortune.

favorable harbinger

Uses "harbinger" to indicate something that foreshadows a positive outcome, adding a touch of formality.

welcome indication

Emphasizes the positive reception of the sign or indication.

reassuring signal

Highlights the comfort and confidence that the sign provides.

optimistic indicator

Replaces "sign" with "indicator", a more analytical term, while maintaining the positive outlook.

bright prospect

Focuses on the future possibilities suggested by the positive sign.

good augury

Employs a slightly archaic term, "augury", to denote a favorable prediction.

FAQs

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

The phrase "promising sign" is used to indicate something that suggests a positive future outcome. For example, "The increase in job applications is a "promising sign" for the local economy".

What are some alternatives to "promising sign"?

You can use alternatives like "encouraging indication", "auspicious signal", or "hopeful development" depending on the specific context.

Is "promising sign" formal or informal?

"Promising sign" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is frequently used in news articles and professional reports, making it versatile for various writing styles.

What does it mean when something is described as a "promising sign"?

When something is described as a "promising sign", it suggests that there is reason to be optimistic about future developments. It indicates that current trends or initial results are favorable.