serving as an indication

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "serving as an indication" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that acts as a sign or signal of a particular condition or situation. Example: "The rising temperatures are serving as an indication of climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Here, the hazard ratio (HR) serves as an indication of patient prognosis, with HR values <1 indicating better survival.

Cell Death and Disease

Another major shortcoming is that increased levels of liver enzymes can only indicate damage and are therefore not suitable to serve as an indication of the patients' regional perfusion.

Critical Care

When I was older, it served as an indication of how (and how NOT) to write other people's culture.

The Guardian

"I don't look at anything in the past to serve as an indication as to how this team is going to perform in the future".

The New York Times - Sports

Some of them still wore brightly colored hospital-style bands around their wrists that had served as an indication of their swimming ability.

The New York Times

So UConn's 87-51 victoverover No. 3 Duke on Monday night served as an indication that there is a steep drop from the top.

The New York Times - Sports

That is, if an auction of some of former Mayor Edward I. Koch's personal items on Monday can serve as an indication of his favorability rating.

The New York Times

The increase in extreme fire risk is expected within the coming decade to exceed that of natural variability and this serves as an indication that anthropogenic climate warming will likely play a significant role in influence California's fire season.

The Guardian

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, one of the elected officials who actively oppose Mr. Rivera's leadership, said: "His recent losses across the board serve as an indication of the position he's in, which is a weak one".

The New York Times

The paucity of director cases since the passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley law in 2002 has served as an indication that the S.E.C. is mindful of the complaints companies made back then.

The New York Times

Three of each team's 23 starting spots filled with the minimum bid may not seem all that high, but that does translate to 13 percent of the player pool, which should serve as an indication that there is an art to controlling the endgame by carefully nominating players after your opponents have all fallen to maximum bid positions of $1.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "serving as an indication", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being indicated. For instance, specify the condition, outcome, or trend that the phrase points towards.

Common error

Avoid using "serving as an indication" in situations where the connection is too weak or unclear. A more direct and specific phrase can enhance clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "serving as an indication" functions primarily as a connector, linking a particular observation or data point to a broader implication or conclusion. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it suggests a relationship where one thing hints at or points towards another, without necessarily providing definitive proof.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "serving as an indication" is a versatile phrase used to suggest a connection between a piece of evidence and a potential conclusion. While grammatically sound and acceptable, according to Ludwig AI, its effectiveness hinges on clearly establishing the relationship between what serves as the indication and what is being indicated. To enhance clarity, consider alternatives like "acting as a signal" or "constituting a clue" when appropriate. Avoid overuse in vague contexts to maintain the impact and precision of your writing. "Serving as an indication" can be used in various contexts and its usage tends to be neutral to formal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acting as a signal

Replaces "indication" with "signal", focusing on the signaling aspect.

functioning as a sign

Substitutes "serving" with "functioning" and "indication" with "sign", emphasizing the role as a marker.

constituting a clue

Emphasizes the role of providing a hint or piece of evidence.

working as evidence

Highlights the evidential aspect, suggesting proof or support.

representing a forecast

Suggests predictive ability, where the phrase implies future outcomes.

giving an idea of

Focuses on conveying a general sense or understanding.

pointing to the possibility of

Highlights the potential or likelihood of something.

suggesting the presence of

Emphasizes the existence or availability of something.

hinting at a likelihood

Focuses on a subtle suggestion of something probable.

offering a glimpse into

Emphasizes a brief or partial view of something.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "serving as an indication" in a sentence?

To effectively use "serving as an indication", ensure you clearly link what is serving as the indication to what it indicates. For example: "The increase in applications is serving as an indication of growing interest in the program."

What are some alternatives to "serving as an indication"?

You can use alternatives like "acting as a signal", "functioning as a sign", or "constituting a clue" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "serving as an indication" and "serving as proof"?

"Serving as an indication" suggests something points toward a conclusion without definitively proving it. In contrast, "serving as proof" implies conclusive evidence. Indication suggests possibility; proof suggests certainty.

In what contexts is "serving as an indication" most appropriate?

"Serving as an indication" is appropriate in contexts where you want to suggest a trend, possibility, or underlying condition without stating it as an absolute fact. It is commonly used in scientific research, news reporting, and analytical writing.