signs indicate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "signs indicate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to evidence or signals that suggest a particular conclusion or outcome. Example: "The signs indicate that the project will be completed ahead of schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

And all signs indicate that they will.

The New York Times

All signs indicate Brady will start the 2009 season.

The New York Times - Sports

"All the signs indicate that a crisis is looming," Ms. Hedlund said.

The New York Times

The signs indicate that Rahul is a capable and decent man.

The Guardian - Opinion

But early signs indicate that investors in Asia were reacting positively to the developments in Washington.

The New York Times

But early signs indicate it will help to counter a severe shortfall in affordable legal help for people facing foreclosure.

The New York Times

But signs indicate that Mr. Fossella, a Republican who represents Staten Island, is leaning toward running for a sixth term.

The New York Times

Signs indicate the types: "Putrescible" and "Non-Putrescible," separating solid wastes from those that are likely to become rotten.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

But all signs indicated one was looming.

The New York Times

Other signs indicated this would be a testing encounter.

The Guardian - Music

Those roads that remain open are peppered with signs indicating cracks, holes and eruptions.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "signs indicate", ensure that the "signs" you are referring to are clearly identifiable and relevant to the conclusion you are drawing. Be specific about the evidence supporting your claim.

Common error

Avoid using "signs indicate" when the evidence is weak or circumstantial. Instead, use more tentative language like "signs might suggest" or "there is a possibility that".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "signs indicate" functions as a reporting verb phrase. It is used to present a conclusion or inference drawn from observable evidence or trends, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "signs indicate" is a frequently used phrase for drawing conclusions based on available evidence, as affirmed by Ludwig. Its neutral tone makes it suitable for diverse contexts, spanning from news reporting to scientific analyses. While grammatically straightforward, it's important to use it judiciously, ensuring the evidence is substantial enough to warrant the inference. Alternatives like "indications suggest" or "evidence points to" offer nuanced ways to express similar meanings. Ludwig's examples and grammatical correctness further validate the phrase's reliability and versatility in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

indications suggest

Replaces "signs" with "indications" and "indicate" with "suggest", maintaining a similar level of formality.

evidence suggests

Substitutes "signs" with "evidence" highlighting the factual basis for the inference.

the evidence points to

Emphasizes the directionality of the supporting information.

it appears that

Offers a more tentative conclusion based on observation.

it seems that

Similar to "it appears that", conveying a sense of likelihood based on current information.

trends suggest

Emphasizes a pattern or direction that points toward a particular outcome.

data implies

Focuses on the information and its logical consequence.

factors suggest

Highlights different aspects or elements that point toward an outcome.

analysis reveals

Highlights that the conclusion is derived from a detailed examination.

developments imply

Suggests that current advancements are leaning towards a specific result.

FAQs

How can I use "signs indicate" in a sentence?

Use "signs indicate" to suggest a conclusion based on available evidence. For example, "Early "signs indicate" that the economy is improving".

What's a more formal way to say "signs indicate"?

In formal writing, you might prefer phrases like "evidence suggests" or "indications suggest" as alternatives to "signs indicate".

What can I say instead of "signs indicate" if I want to sound less certain?

To express less certainty, consider using phrases such as "it appears that" or "it seems that" instead of "signs indicate".

Is "signs indicates" grammatically correct?

No, the correct form is "signs indicate". "Indicate" is used because "signs" is plural. The phrase "sign indicates" would be used if the subject was singular.