tentative indication

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tentative indication" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a preliminary or uncertain sign or suggestion about something. Example: "The survey results provide a tentative indication of the public's opinion on the new policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

There is also tentative indication that EB profile and scaffolding treatment interact, with complex-EB learners benefiting most from the scaffolded condition.

Computers & Education

The constraint violation in a network can also be considered as an early indication of a system that heads towards a stressed operating condition, however, it is a tentative indication of stress because not all constraint violations lead to load shedding.

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

Still, the rough estimates above provide a tentative indication of the small size of the early Palauans.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

There are some tentative indications of success.

The Guardian

Investors took little notice Friday of tentative indications that the European economy was improving over all.

The New York Times

Peter Stott, who leads the Met Office's climate monitoring and attribution team, said there were "tentative indications in recently published papers that melting Arctic sea ice is affecting the position and behaviour of the jet stream".

The Guardian

Halifax said there were "some tentative indications" that activity in the housing market was stabilising, but stressed it was important not to place too much weight on one month's figures.

The Guardian - Money

Mr. Draghi's statement, along with tentative indications that countries like Spain and Portugal are getting a grip on their economic problems, held out hope that a turning point in the euro zone crisis might be on the distant horizon.

The New York Times

There are also tentative indications that the compounds formed reflect the detailed compositions of the underlying alloys but any relationship between the position of the analyzed area relative to the body and the production of phosphates cannot be confirmed from this particular dataset.

Heritage Science

Tentative indications about critical time windows for fetal development under different deleterious conditions are presented whenever possible.

Environmental Health Perspectives

However, no such correlation was found, providing tentative indications that large proteins in general do not possess more functions than smaller proteins.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tentative indication", consider the context. If a stronger statement is warranted by the evidence, opt for more decisive language. The phrase is most effective when conveying uncertainty or preliminary findings.

Common error

Avoid presenting a "tentative indication" as definitive proof or a guaranteed outcome. Doing so can mislead your audience and undermine your credibility. Always frame it as a possibility, not a certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tentative indication" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It identifies something that serves as a preliminary or uncertain sign of a particular situation or outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is valid, albeit not as common in general usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tentative indication" is a valid phrase used to describe a preliminary or uncertain sign. While Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, its relatively low frequency suggests it's not the most common choice. It is suitable for formal and neutral contexts, particularly in scientific and news reporting, to convey caution and signal the need for further confirmation. Using stronger language when you have strong evidence is the key.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preliminary sign

Focuses on the earliness of the sign, similar to "tentative indication".

initial suggestion

Emphasizes that it's merely a suggestion, not a confirmed fact.

early signal

Highlights the timing of the indication being at the beginning.

possible hint

Conveys a slight suggestion or clue that something might be the case.

potential clue

Similar to 'possible hint' but more suggestive of solving a puzzle or mystery.

faint suggestion

Underlines the weakness and uncertainty of the suggestion.

weak signal

Like 'faint suggestion' but emphasizes the strength of a message or data.

uncertain sign

Directly indicates the ambiguity or unreliability of the sign.

unconfirmed report

Highlights lack of verification or validation.

speculative evidence

Indicates that the evidence is based on conjecture, not solid facts.

FAQs

How can I use "tentative indication" in a sentence?

You can use "tentative indication" to describe early or uncertain signs. For example, "The study provides a "tentative indication" that the new treatment may be effective."

What are some alternatives to "tentative indication"?

Alternatives include "preliminary sign", "initial suggestion", or "possible hint" depending on the context.

Is "tentative indication" formal or informal?

"Tentative indication" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts. However, in very informal situations, simpler terms like "hint" might be preferred.

What does "tentative" mean in the phrase "tentative indication"?

In this context, "tentative" means not definite or certain; provisional. It suggests the "indication" is subject to change based on further evidence.