should have indicated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should have indicated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that someone was expected to provide information or a signal in the past but did not do so. Example: "The report should have indicated the potential risks involved in the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

It should have indicated that the Colts were likely to beat the Bengals, not the other way around.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

But the commission contended that Mr. Trump also should have indicated in his lobbying reports that he had spent another $150,000 on the newspaper ads.

The New York Times

The success of "The Devil Wears Prada" should have indicated to Hollywood at least one way of creating roles that both young and older actresses can play.

The New Yorker

The context of the crime, she said, should have indicated that the governor of Veracruz, Javier Duarte, his government, and the police, needed to be investigated immediately.

The New Yorker

Clarification: An earlier version of this story should have indicated that links to comments from Russian state television were circulated on Twitter by Julia Davis of RussianMediaMonitor.com.

The Washington Post

But a look at global conditions should have indicated that the normal cushions against fiscal cuts were weaker than normal or absent.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

The LED would blink much slower than it should have, indicating that our main while loop was not running up to speed.

Cornell University

Radioactivity readings offshore have not fallen in the way many experts say they should have, indicating that this groundwater is picking up radioactive elements on its journey.

BBC

The fact that you couldn't find a free evening should've indicated your mutual lack of interest.

The New Yorker

He was comforted to be told that he had done nothing wrong, but that his partner should not have indicated a desire to ruff by playing high-low in hearts.

The New York Times - Arts

He was comforted to be told that he had done nothing wrong but that his partner should not have indicated a desire to ruff by playing high-low in hearts.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "should have indicated", ensure that the context clearly establishes who was expected to provide the indication and what information they were expected to convey.

Common error

Avoid using "should have indicated" without clearly specifying what the subject was supposed to indicate. Ambiguity can confuse the reader and weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should have indicated" functions as a modal construction expressing a missed expectation or obligation in the past. It suggests that someone or something failed to provide necessary information or a clear signal, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

36%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "should have indicated" is a commonly used phrase to express that someone or something failed to provide a necessary signal or information in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia. When using this phrase, ensure clarity about who was expected to indicate what. Consider alternatives like "ought to have shown" or "was supposed to indicate" to subtly shift the emphasis. Be precise to avoid ambiguity and effectively communicate your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should have signaled

Synonymous, with 'signaled' being a direct substitute for 'indicated'.

ought to have shown

Emphasizes moral duty or correctness in revealing something.

was supposed to indicate

Highlights a prior expectation or agreement for signaling.

needed to signal

Focuses on necessity or requirement of signaling something.

should have communicated

Replaces indication with a broader term for conveying information.

must have denoted

Emphasizes logical conclusion rather than obligation.

was expected to point out

Highlights the expectation to explicitly mention something.

it would have suggested

Highlights a hint or a clue to something.

was required to specify

Emphasizes formal rule or necessity for detailed information.

it would have implied

Emphasizes a more subtle form of communication.

FAQs

How can I use "should have indicated" in a sentence?

Use "should have indicated" to express that someone or something was expected to provide information or a signal but did not, for example: "The report "should have indicated" the potential risks".

What phrases are similar to "should have indicated"?

Alternatives include phrases like "ought to have shown", "was supposed to indicate", or "needed to signal", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "should have indicated" and "should have signaled"?

While similar, "should have signaled" is a more direct synonym. "Should have indicated" can imply a more comprehensive provision of information, while "should have signaled" may refer to a specific signal or warning.

When is it appropriate to use "should have indicated" in formal writing?

It is appropriate in formal writing when discussing expectations or obligations regarding past actions. It's common in reports, analyses, and corrections where clarifying what information was expected is crucial.