tangible sign

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tangible sign" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a physical or concrete indication of something, often in contexts related to evidence or proof. Example: "The increase in sales was a tangible sign of the company's recovery after the recession."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

An even more tangible sign arrived a week later.

The New York Times - Sports

The most tangible sign of this is the coming of cars.

The New Yorker

One other, more tangible, sign provides still more cause for concern.

The New York Times

"One of the characteristics of a covenant," as Mrs. Austin put it, "is a tangible sign.

The New York Times

And advertising is only the most tangible sign of which states are competitive.

The New York Times

The concert was the most tangible sign of the workshop's success.

The New York Times - Arts

Perhaps the most tangible sign of that movement has been the interest in property development.

The New York Times

It was the first tangible sign that the upheaval across the Arab world was having an impact on the Palestinians.

The New York Times

Navy Athletic Director Chet Gladchuk said that was a "tangible sign of a unified front by those remaining schools".

The New York Times - Sports

"These fields are a tangible sign of our Youth Football Fund in action," Commissioner Paul Tagliabue said in a statement.

The New York Times - Sports

Here was another tangible sign that their city was returning to normality after the devastation of 2011.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tangible sign" when you want to emphasize that something is not just abstract or theoretical, but has a real, observable presence. For example, "The new building is a "tangible sign" of the city's economic recovery".

Common error

Avoid using "tangible sign" when referring to purely abstract concepts or feelings. It is more appropriate for concrete, observable phenomena. Instead of saying "Her smile was a "tangible sign" of happiness", consider "Her smile was a clear expression of happiness".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tangible sign" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a concrete indication or evidence of something. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and widely used. It often acts as a subject complement or object, providing descriptive detail to the subject of the sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tangible sign" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to denote a concrete, observable indication of something. Ludwig confirms its validity and widespread usage. It's commonly found in news and media, as well as scientific contexts, serving to provide evidence and clarity to abstract concepts. While the phrase is versatile, it should be reserved for situations where a physical or real-world indicator is being referenced. Alternatives like "concrete evidence" or "visible indication" may be more appropriate in certain situations. Use this term to make arguments more persuasive and data-driven.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

concrete evidence

Replaces "sign" with "evidence", emphasizing proof rather than just indication.

visible indication

Focuses on the aspect of being seen or apparent, changing "tangible" to "visible".

palpable proof

Substitutes "sign" with "proof", highlighting the irrefutable nature of the indication.

real manifestation

Replaces both "tangible" and "sign" emphasizing the actual occurrence of something.

clear demonstration

Highlights the act of showing or proving something explicitly.

noticeable indicator

Emphasizes the characteristic of being easily observed, changing both "tangible" and "sign".

physical evidence

Focuses on material or corporeal evidence.

measurable result

Emphasizes the quantifiable aspect of the outcome.

actual indicator

Highlights the factuality and genuineness of the indicator.

substantive clue

Substitutes "sign" with "clue", suggesting something that leads to a discovery.

FAQs

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

You can use "tangible sign" to indicate something concrete that demonstrates a particular situation or trend. For instance, "The company's increased profits are a "tangible sign" of its success".

What can I say instead of "tangible sign"?

You can use alternatives like "concrete evidence", "visible indication", or "palpable proof" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "tangible evidence" or "tangible sign"?

While both are correct, "tangible evidence" often implies a stronger, more conclusive proof, whereas "tangible sign" suggests a more general indication. The choice depends on the strength of the indication you want to convey.

What's the difference between a "tangible sign" and a "symbol"?

A "tangible sign" is a concrete indication of something, whereas a symbol represents something else through association or convention. A company logo could be a symbol, but increased revenue would be a "tangible sign" of financial health.