sole indicator

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sole indicator" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that is the only sign or measure of a particular condition or outcome. Example: "The sole indicator of success in this project will be the increase in customer satisfaction ratings."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Recent studies showed that Kt/Vurea in dialysis cannot represent correctly the removal of other solutes and fluid, indicating that this parameter alone should not be used as the sole indicator of dialysis adequacy.

Cell Death and Disease

Still, Stevensen warns against relying on that sole indicator.

Forbes

A coordinated, distributed, denial-of-service attack of this kind can be quite effective against defense mechanisms that rely on average reliability as the sole indicator of maliciousness.

Security Informatics

The sole indicator of economic resources, i.e., GDP per capita by PPP, was directly and significantly correlated with the relative volume of spam.

EURASIP Journal on Information Security

It was also found that the NADH/NAD+ ratio should not be used as a sole indicator of the oxidation state of the cell.

Metabolic Engineering

(2) To determine the positive predictive value of the pneumonia severity index as the sole indicator for detecting inappropriate hospitalizations among patients with CAP.

Chest

Therein lies the glaring flaw in touting megapixels as the sole indicator of a camera's worth; the pictures the Memoir takes are plenty big (resolution wise) – but aren't particularly amazing looking outside of brightly lit environments.

TechCrunch

Greater dispersity indices at higher temperatures suggest a mechanism of coarsening that may relate to specific conditions of Ostwald ripening [46],[47], though as a sole indicator this is insufficient to determine mechanisms.

Geochemical Transactions

Keep telling them, “I couldn’t do this without you.” When you recruit, performance is the best indicator of what someone might be able to do at the next level, but it’s not the sole indicator.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

He says monetary matters should not be the sole indicators of a financially successful country, and that we should also include environmental factors such as birdsong and wildlife.

The Guardian - Opinion

Collectively, the results question the validity of using selected apoptosis pathway members as sole indicators of cytotoxicity.

Free Radical Biology and Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sole indicator", ensure that you explicitly acknowledge if other factors might influence the outcome, even if they are considered secondary. This avoids oversimplification and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid presenting a "sole indicator" as the only determinant without acknowledging potential confounding variables. Even if a factor is primary, mentioning limitations strengthens credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sole indicator" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It specifies something that is the only sign or measure of a particular phenomenon. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

61%

News & Media

25%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sole indicator" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to designate something as the only measure or sign of a particular phenomenon. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it appears frequently in scientific and news-related contexts. While it's essential for clarity, it's crucial to acknowledge potential limitations and avoid oversimplification when using "sole indicator". Consider that many factors influence outcomes, so relying on a single indicator should be approached with caution and transparency. Using related phrases like "single gauge" or "only measure" can provide subtle variations in meaning, enhancing precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

single gauge

Replaces "indicator" with "gauge", emphasizing the measuring aspect.

only measure

Uses a more direct and simpler term, focusing on the action of measuring.

exclusive sign

Highlights that the sign is the only one considered.

primary determinant

Shifts the focus to what primarily determines an outcome.

chief criterion

Replaces "indicator" with "criterion", suggesting a standard of judgment.

key benchmark

Emphasizes that the indicator is a standard for comparison.

unique marker

Indicates that the sign is the only one and distinctive.

defining characteristic

Focuses on a characteristic that uniquely defines something.

sole determinant

Stresses that it's the only factor determining the outcome.

final arbiter

Indicates the ultimate deciding factor.

FAQs

How can I use "sole indicator" in a sentence?

You can use "sole indicator" to specify the only factor considered when assessing a situation. For example, "In this study, GDP per capita was considered the "sole indicator" of a nation's economic health."

What phrases are similar to "sole indicator"?

Similar phrases include "single gauge", "only measure", or "exclusive sign". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it always accurate to rely on a "sole indicator"?

Relying on a "sole indicator" can be risky if it oversimplifies a complex issue. It's crucial to acknowledge the limitations and potential influence of other factors, even if they aren't the primary focus.

What's the difference between "sole indicator" and "primary indicator"?

"Sole indicator" means it's the only indicator being considered. "Primary indicator" implies it's the most important, but other indicators might also be relevant.