the graph indicates

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the graph indicates" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase when you want to suggest that a graph is conveying or representing some kind of data. For example, "The graph indicates an increase in the number of cars on the road over the last 5 years."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

The graph indicates that although a large number of companies generate little operating cash flow, most of them do not file for bankruptcy.

Harvard Business Review

The graph indicates the presence of the vessels throughout the scaffolds' thickness (distributed in the 3 areas) (n = 3, *p < 0.05).

Nature

The weather model of meteorologist Edward LorenzThe x-, y-, and z-axes correspond to components of the weather, while the graph indicates feasible weather patterns.

Britannica

Simple math shows who benefits from this arrangement (Figure 1).[i] Color coding in the graph indicates how each party voted in two recent, pivotal votes.

University of California, Berkeley

There has been a rise in the percentage of young English students from low-participation neighbourhoods starting a full-time course – but as the graph indicates, the increase has been slight.

The Guardian

As the graph indicates, the numbers of African Americans rose significantly during the middle decades of the twentieth century, and have declined slightly in absolute numbers, even as their numbers fall even further in relative terms.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

For both (C,D), values inside the graph indicate the P value of the correlation.

Nature

For (B and C), values inside the graph indicate the P value of the correlation.

Nature

For B, C, and D, values inside the graph indicate the P value of the correlation.

Nature

The clock, and the graph, indicate where you were at each five-minute interval: awake, in light sleep, in REM sleep or in deep sleep.

The New York Times - Tech

The asterisks above the graph indicate significant genotype differences (n = 4 wild-types; n = 4 Afh mutants; P < 0.05, One-way ANOVA).

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the graph indicates", ensure that the graph is clearly labeled and easy to understand so that the information being conveyed is readily accessible to the reader.

Common error

Avoid drawing overly strong conclusions solely based on what "the graph indicates". Always consider potential limitations of the data or alternative interpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the graph indicates" serves as a reporting verb phrase. It introduces information derived from a visual representation, the graph, presenting factual observations or insights. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

68%

News & Media

16%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the graph indicates" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for presenting information derived from visual data, according to Ludwig. It functions as a reporting verb phrase, primarily found in scientific, academic, and news contexts. While versatile, it is essential to avoid overstating conclusions solely based on the graph and to ensure clarity and proper labeling of the visual data. Consider using synonyms like "the graph shows" or "the graph demonstrates" to avoid repetition. This phrase maintains a neutral to formal tone, making it suitable for various writing styles while maintaining professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the graph shows

Replaces "indicates" with "shows", a more direct synonym.

the graph reveals

Substitutes "indicates" with "reveals", implying that the graph uncovers information.

the graph demonstrates

Substitutes "indicates" with "demonstrates", implying a more conclusive presentation of data.

as the graph illustrates

Replaces "indicates" with "illustrates", highlighting the visual aspect of the graph.

the graph highlights

Changes "indicates" to "highlights", emphasizing key findings in the graph.

according to the graph

Changes the sentence structure to emphasize the graph as the source of information.

the graph points out

Uses "points out" instead of "indicates", suggesting a more specific observation.

the data in the graph suggest

Focuses on the data within the graph and uses "suggest" to soften the claim.

from the graph, we can see

Shifts the focus to the observer's interpretation of the graph.

it is apparent from the graph that

Introduces a more formal and declarative way of presenting information from the graph.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "the graph indicates" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "the graph demonstrates" or "it is apparent from the graph that".

What's a simple alternative to "the graph indicates"?

A straightforward alternative is "the graph shows". It's direct and easy to understand.

How do I avoid overusing "the graph indicates" in my writing?

Vary your language by using different phrases to introduce information from graphs. Some options include: "according to the graph", "the data in the graph suggest", or "as the graph illustrates".

Is it always necessary to use a phrase like "the graph indicates" when referring to a graph?

No, you can also integrate the information directly into your sentence without explicitly stating that it comes from the graph. For example, instead of "The graph indicates an increase in sales", you could say "Sales increased, as shown in the graph".