purely indicative

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'purely indicative' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to refer to information that is provided as an indication of something, without it being conclusive proof. For example, "The survey results were purely indicative of a trend, since the sample size was too small to draw any definite conclusions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Indeed, there has been some scratching of heads at the discovery that the BP vote is purely "indicative", and not binding at all.

The Guardian - Opinion

As we included patients with co-existing illnesses, some of our results may not be purely indicative of the characteristics of hypertensive patients.

Plosone

Unfortunately as the EST data are not traceable to specific populations or to specific individuals, these data are purely indicative of intron sequence retention and serve as a reference for alleles known to be retained.

Plosone

Thus, the results that follow have to be considered as preliminary and purely indicative of potential functions that need further validation by other means.

BMC Genomics

Limitations in these inter-study comparisons are that the patients are not matched in the study and many variables are not controlled, therefore the results are purely indicative.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

As such, the rate of both true SNP and false positive calling provided here are purely indicative and results obtained with each sequencing platform will vary.

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

XRD patterns reveal that there is no obvious lattice expansion of the Ir nanocrystal after the C2H4 decomposition over a whole temperature range, indicative of the purely surface deposition of carbonaceous species on the supported catalyst with no inclusion of sub-layer carbon atoms.

Applied Petrochemical Research

Nor is the data indicative of variation that is purely dictated by large scale reservoir variations – i.e. variation with a wavelength on the order of the entire horizontal part of the well.

Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering

It is rectangular in cross-section and its hard edges make it difficult to handle and impractical for fighting, which is indicative of the sword's purely ceremonial usage.

Wikipedia

The literal interpretation of this, regardless of intent and not indicative of any misunderstanding on my part, is purely unavoidable and must be addressed…because it's fucking hilarious.

Vice

"Purely medicinal".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "purely indicative", ensure the context clearly communicates that the information is not definitive and requires further validation or evidence.

Common error

Avoid presenting information described as "purely indicative" as conclusive evidence or a definitive representation of a situation. Always emphasize the need for additional support or confirmation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "purely indicative" functions as an adjectival modifier, specifically to qualify nouns (such as results, data, findings) by expressing that they serve only as an indication or suggestion, and are not definitive or conclusive. Ludwig confirms this with numerous examples across various domains.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "purely indicative" is a grammatically sound and useful phrase used to describe something that serves as a suggestion or sign but is not conclusive. Ludwig AI confirms this understanding, supported by real-world examples across diverse fields. The phrase is most commonly encountered in scientific and news reporting, where it emphasizes caution and the need for further validation. While not overly formal, it maintains a level of precision suitable for professional communication. When using "purely indicative", remember to clearly signal that the information provided is not definitive and requires further investigation to prevent misunderstanding or overstatement of significance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not conclusive

Directly states the lack of definitiveness.

merely suggestive

Replaces "indicative" with "suggestive", implying a weaker indication.

simply pointing to

Uses a verb phrase to convey indication, adding a sense of direction.

solely representative

Focuses on the aspect of representation, emphasizing that it's only a representation and nothing more.

tentatively suggests

Emphasizes the cautious and uncertain nature of the indication.

exclusively signaling

Highlights the signaling aspect, stressing exclusivity.

preliminarily shows

Highlights that the indication is based on preliminary findings.

just a hint of

Emphasizes the tentative nature of the indication.

serves as a possible sign

Explicitly states the indication as a possibility rather than a certainty.

only a clue

Presents the indication as a piece of evidence in a larger puzzle.

FAQs

How can I use "purely indicative" in a sentence?

You can use "purely indicative" to describe data or findings that suggest a trend or outcome but are not definitive, such as, "These preliminary results are "purely indicative" and require further investigation".

What phrases are similar to "purely indicative"?

Alternatives to "purely indicative" include "merely suggestive", "simply pointing to", or "not conclusive", each carrying a slightly different nuance regarding the strength of the indication.

When is it appropriate to use "purely indicative"?

Use "purely indicative" when you want to emphasize that the information you're presenting is a sign or suggestion, but it is not a firm conclusion. It's suitable when discussing preliminary findings, trends, or possible outcomes that require more research or data.

Is "purely indicative" formal or informal language?

"Purely indicative" is generally considered neutral to formal language, suitable for academic writing, news reports, and professional communications. It is not overly technical but maintains a level of objectivity and precision.