signaling him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "signaling him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of conveying a message or indication to a male individual, often through gestures or signals. Example: "She was signaling him to come over without drawing attention from the others."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

As Mr. Lew delved deeper and deeper into the numbers, Mr. Obama put up his hand, signaling him to stop.

The New York Times

Asked if he relied on instinct to determine which part of his body is signaling him, Mr. Lewis replied: "Absolutely.

The New York Times

Henry again refuses and Pretorius orders the Monster out, secretly signaling him to kidnap Elizabeth.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Then she signalled him to follow.

The New Yorker

But then she signalled him to take her place.

The New Yorker

She used only her chin to signal him.

The New Yorker

When he was four steps away, she signalled him to halt.

The New Yorker

He raised his hand, and so she signalled him to step forward.

The New Yorker

(She has been known to signal him violently from the audience when he goes on too long answering a question).

The New Yorker

But just as he finished his speech, Dr Jacobs noticed a technician frantically signalling him to continue talking.

The Economist

Just then one of Mr. McIndoe's waiters signaled him: Lauren Bacall and Blair Brown needed a table on the first floor.

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "signaling him" when you want to clearly convey that someone is communicating with a male individual through a non-verbal cue or indication. Ensure the context provides clarity about the type of signal being used.

Common error

Avoid using "signaling him" without specifying what kind of signal is being used. Without additional context, the phrase can be vague. Instead, specify the signal, such as "waving to him" or "nodding at him".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "signaling him" functions as a verbal phrase, specifically a present participle construction where "signaling" acts as the verb and "him" is the direct object. It describes an action of conveying a message or instruction to a male individual.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "signaling him" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe the act of conveying a message non-verbally to a male individual. As Ludwig AI accurately indicates, it's a phrase with a neutral tone suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "gesturing to him" or "indicating to him" exist, "signaling him" remains a clear and direct choice. Ensure the context provides sufficient information about the nature of the signal to avoid any ambiguity. Understanding its function and usage patterns will enhance writing clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Indicating to him

Replaces "signaling" with "indicating", offering a slightly more formal tone.

Gesturing to him

Substitutes "signaling" with "gesturing", emphasizing a non-verbal communication method.

Signaling towards him

Adds "towards" for spatial direction, implying the signal is aimed at his location.

Giving him a signal

Changes the structure to a verb + object construction, focusing on the act of giving.

Notifying him via signal

Emphasizes the method of notification using a signal.

Cuing him

Uses "cuing" as a more concise synonym for "signaling", often in a performance context.

Alerting him

Implies a sense of urgency or warning in the signal.

Motioning to him

Highlights the use of a hand or body movement to signal.

Directing him with a signal

Adds a layer of purpose, indicating the signal is used to guide him.

Prompting him

Suggests a gentle encouragement or reminder through the signal.

FAQs

How can I use "signaling him" in a sentence?

You can use "signaling him" to describe someone conveying a message non-verbally, as in "She was signaling him to be quiet" or "He started signaling him with hand gestures".

What are some alternatives to "signaling him"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "gesturing to him", "indicating to him", or "motioning to him".

Is there a difference between "signaling him" and "signaling to him"?

"Signaling him" is a more concise way to phrase the action. While "signaling to him" is also correct, "signaling him" directly connects the action with the recipient, making it slightly more direct. Both are acceptable but the first is slightly preferred.

Can "signaling him" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "signaling him" can be used in formal writing, especially when describing actions in news reports or analytical pieces. It is a neutral and clear way to describe non-verbal communication.