that could indicate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that could indicate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when suggesting a possibility or implication based on certain evidence or observations. Example: "The sudden drop in temperature that could indicate an approaching storm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There are no obvious indications of blood on the front of his T-shirt that could indicate evidence of a broken nose.

The Guardian

It watches for any variations that could indicate doping.

The New York Times - Sports

An archaeologist, Javier Navarro, has identified a dip in the ground that could indicate a grave.

The Guardian

The commission's software is designed to detect unusual voting patterns that could indicate fraud, officials said.

The New York Times

Software will be used to track the inventories of the emission stickers and other anomalies that could indicate fraud.

The New York Times

"Even if they did find traces of polonium that could indicate poisoning, there's no evidence of how that poisoning occurred.

The Guardian

"There are a number of facial expressions and associated reactions that could indicate someone is lying to you," he says.

Independent

The program monitors athletes' blood profiles over time to find variations that could indicate the use of performance-enhancing drugs.

The New York Times - Sports

About two dozen have had symptoms that could indicate meningitis and have come in for spinal taps.

The New York Times

"It is always helpful when journalists share with us information that could indicate terrorist or criminal activity," he said.

Independent

The men's uniforms, resembling Israeli Army fatigues, carried no tags that could identify their source, and the gunmen carried nothing that could indicate where they had come from.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that could indicate" to present a possible, but not definitive, connection between evidence and a conclusion. This is especially useful in scientific or analytical writing where certainty is not always possible.

Common error

Avoid using "that could indicate" when the evidence strongly confirms the conclusion. In such cases, use stronger phrases like "that proves" or "that demonstrates" to accurately reflect the certainty of the connection.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that could indicate" functions as a relative clause introducing a potential implication or sign based on preceding information. Ludwig examples confirm its role in connecting observations to possible conclusions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that could indicate" is a versatile phrase used to suggest a potential connection or implication. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically sound and commonly employed across various contexts, especially in news and scientific reporting. Alternatives such as "that might suggest" or "that may imply" can be used to fine-tune the level of certainty. When using the phrase, ensure the strength of the indication matches the available evidence to avoid overstating the conclusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that might suggest

Replaces 'could' with 'might', softening the implication.

that may imply

Uses 'may imply' to convey a slightly more tentative connection.

that potentially reveals

Substitutes 'indicate' with 'reveals', emphasizing a disclosure.

that hints at

Employs 'hints at' for a more subtle suggestion.

that seems to suggest

Adds 'seems to' for increased uncertainty and indirectness.

that points to

Replaces 'indicate' with 'points to', suggesting a direction or focus.

that implies

Shortens the phrase by removing 'could', making the implication more direct.

that suggests

Condenses the phrase by removing 'could', making the suggestion more straightforward.

that signals

Uses 'signals' to denote a sign or warning.

which signifies

Employs 'signifies' to highlight the importance of the indication.

FAQs

How can I use "that could indicate" in a sentence?

Use "that could indicate" to suggest a possible connection between two things, implying a potential sign or symptom. For example: "The decrease in sales "that could indicate" a larger economic downturn."

What can I say instead of "that could indicate"?

You can use alternatives like "that might suggest", "that may imply", or "that potentially reveals" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "that could indicate" or "that indicates"?

"That could indicate" suggests a possibility, while "that indicates" implies a certainty. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the strength of the evidence and your intended meaning.

What's the difference between "that could indicate" and "that suggests"?

"That could indicate" implies a slightly weaker connection than "that suggests". "That could indicate" is used when presenting a possible, but not definitive, link. "That suggests" can imply a stronger correlation.