show a sign

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "show a sign" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone or something is demonstrating a particular indication or signal of a feeling, condition, or event. Example: "The dark clouds began to gather, showing a sign that a storm was approaching."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

"The Democrats can show a sign of strength by coalescing around Kerry," he said.

The New York Times

I remember thinking it wouldn't be too much to ask for the leader of the country to show a sign of condolence – a sign of caring".

The Guardian

Standing on the sideline, Carr said he watched to see if Manning ever upbraided any of his offensive linemen for letting him be pounded, but not once did he see him show a sign of frustration or anger.

The New York Times - Sports

A Canadian art curator and a German officer are brought together by the relocation of the Louvre's treasures during the Nazi occupation of France; they become bitter enemies who are none­theless sleeping together, each trying not to be the first to show a sign of weakness.

The New York Times - Books

D.C.'s ride-hailing market has exploded over the past three years, more than quadrupling since late 2015 as Metro and taxi ridership have steadily fallen, statistics show, a sign that Uber and Lyft are probably creating thousands of new vehicle trips in the city, officials and analysts say.

The Washington Post

Although this might show a sign of independence, none of these young researchers is part of the topmost group of young researchers.

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

We also show a SIGN-R1, gp120 positive sinus lining macrophage likely interacting with an endogenous B cell by intravital microscopy (Video 3).

eLife

That to me shows a sign of maturity".

The New York Times - Sports

One photograph shows a sign: "Undressing in Cars Prohibited by Law/$5 Fine".

The New York Times

Why does the killer, who, whatever his faults, never shows a sign of sexual pathology, also rape his victim?

The New York Times - Books

Some of the interaction terms are significant, showing a sign of non-linearity in the structure of production.

Agricultural and Food Economics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "show a sign", ensure the context clearly indicates what the sign represents. For instance, "The company's increased profits show a sign of economic recovery."

Common error

Avoid assuming that because something "shows a sign" of something else, it directly causes that outcome. For example, "Increased social media use shows a sign of declining mental health" might be a correlation, not a direct cause.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "show a sign" functions as a verb phrase. It typically acts as the predicate of a sentence, indicating that a subject is exhibiting some kind of signal or indication. Ludwig AI confirms its broad applicability across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

34%

Wiki

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "show a sign" is a versatile and commonly used verb phrase to indicate that something is exhibiting an indication or signal. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and broad applicability of this phrase. While it appears across a range of contexts, it is most frequent in News & Media and Science. When using this phrase, be mindful of avoiding the causation fallacy and ensuring that the context clearly specifies what the "sign" represents. Related phrases such as "give an indication" or "display evidence" can offer more precision depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give an indication

Replaces "show" with "give" and "sign" with "indication", focusing on the act of providing a signal.

display evidence

Substitutes "show a sign" with "display evidence", emphasizing the presentation of proof or support.

reveal an indication

Replaces "show" with "reveal", highlighting the act of uncovering or making something known.

demonstrate a signal

Uses "demonstrate" instead of "show", suggesting a more active or explicit display.

exhibit a symptom

Replaces "sign" with "symptom", often used in medical or diagnostic contexts.

betray a feeling

Emphasizes the involuntary or unintentional revelation of an emotion.

manifest a characteristic

Highlights the appearance or display of a distinctive feature or trait.

express an emotion

Focuses on the outward communication of an internal feeling or state.

register an impression

Indicates the creation of a noticeable effect or influence on someone or something.

offer a clue

Suggests the provision of a hint or piece of information that aids in solving a problem or mystery.

FAQs

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

You can use "show a sign" to indicate that something is demonstrating an indication or signal of a particular condition or event. For example, "The stock market crash "showed a sign" of economic instability".

What are some alternatives to "show a sign"?

Alternatives include "give an indication", "display evidence", or "reveal an indication". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "show a sign" in formal writing?

Yes, "show a sign" is appropriate for formal writing. However, consider using more precise language depending on the context. For example, instead of "The data "shows a sign" of improvement", you could say "The data demonstrates a significant improvement".

What's the difference between "show a sign" and "indicate"?

"Show a sign" suggests a visible or noticeable indication, while "indicate" is more general and can refer to something that is less obvious. For instance, "The experiment results "indicated" a potential link", whereas "The patient "showed a sign" of recovery".