signs of usage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "signs of usage" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is generally used to refer to tangible evidence that something has been frequently used, such as wear or deterioration on an item. For example, "The bookshelves showed signs of usage, with scratches and dents in the wood."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

UPDATE XIV: Police sources tell People.com that no drug paraphernalia or signs of usage were found in Winehouse's home, and relays a report that claims she told bodyguards she was going to sleep hours before being found dead in her bed.

Huffington Post

There have been conflicting reports as to how she may have died; People reported that no drug paraphernalia or signs of usage were found in Winehouse's home, though the Daily Mirror reported earlier that friends said she died from alcohol and ecstasy use.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

To date, there have been 3,202,250,105 downloads of Skype clients (although this shouldn't be seen as a sign of usage).

TechCrunch

Further work should address whether the observed changes in expression of genes related to lipid metabolism are caused by light-mediated reduced activity or a sign of usage due to starvation.

BMC Genomics

One day when a guy who looked like a banker pulled up in a silver Mercedes carrying an expensive board with no wax on it (a sure sign of little usage) my housemate Tommy shook his head and sneered, "What a Barney," surfer-speak for a rich guy who has the latest gear but can't surf.

The New York Times - Style

So again, imagine my amazement when I saw the telltale sign of iPad usage: that email signature.

TechCrunch

Miosis is a sign of morphine usage, but it is not a sign of overdosage.

British Journal of Cancer

One by one they lift the men's fingers, looking for tell-tale signs of heavy gun usage.

The Guardian

The Indus script seems to follow the same pattern, with a small number of signs accounting for the majority of usage, but with a large number of signs which are used infrequently.

Plosone

Though the meaning and impact of a reclaimed sign depend on the experience of the signer, the listener, and their intentions, this sign has undisputed power regardless of usage.

Huffington Post

While Intuit is clearly growing in terms of usage and sign-ups, so is Square, which is unarguably a smaller operation with a lot of buzz.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the condition of an item, specify the type of "signs of usage"" to provide a clearer picture. For example, "The book showed signs of usage such as worn edges and dog-eared pages".

Common error

Avoid using "signs of usage" without specifying what those signs are. Simply stating something has "signs of usage" without detail provides little informative value to the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "signs of usage" functions as a noun phrase typically used to describe or identify physical or perceptible evidence that something has been used. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct and well-suited for written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "signs of usage" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe evidence that something has been used. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not extremely common, it appears across a variety of contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Wiki articles. To enhance clarity, it's best to specify the exact signs you're referring to. Alternatives include "evidence of use" and "indications of use". When writing, be mindful to avoid overgeneralization and specify the particular "signs of usage" present.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evidence of use

Replaces "signs" with "evidence" to emphasize the presence of proof.

indications of use

Substitutes "signs" with "indications", focusing on suggestive clues.

marks of usage

Uses "marks" instead of "signs" to highlight physical traces.

traces of use

Emphasizes residual effects or remnants from prior usage.

manifestations of use

Highlights how use becomes apparent or visible.

symptoms of use

Implies that the usage might have caused unintended effects or problems.

effects of use

Focuses on the consequences resulting from the use of something.

footprints of usage

Metaphorically describes use as leaving behind recognizable traces.

hallmarks of use

Highlights distinctive features that characterize something as having been used.

clues of use

Suggests that there are hints or leads indicating that something has been in use.

FAQs

How can I use "signs of usage" in a sentence?

You can use "signs of usage" to describe the condition of an object or item that has been used. For example, "The antique furniture showed "signs of usage" such as scratches and faded varnish".

What are some alternatives to "signs of usage"?

Alternatives to "signs of usage" include "evidence of use", "indications of use", or "marks of usage". The best choice depends on the specific context.

What's the difference between "signs of usage" and "evidence of wear"?

"Signs of usage" generally refers to any indications that something has been used, while "evidence of wear" specifically refers to damage or deterioration caused by use. "Evidence of wear" is a subset of "signs of usage".

Is it redundant to say "visible signs of usage"?

While "signs" inherently imply visibility, using "visible signs of usage" can add emphasis, though it may be considered slightly redundant. You could simply say "signs of usage".