there were indications

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there were indications" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to signs or evidence suggesting something may be true or likely. Example: "In the investigation, there were indications that the suspect had been at the scene of the crime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

But there were indications.

The Guardian - Opinion

But there were indications that their captors were responsible.

The New York Times

Last night there were indications of open disagreement.

The Guardian

But there were indications he will have to move carefully.

The Guardian - Business

There were indications that Pistorius had fears about his safety.

The Guardian - Sport

Yet there were indications in recent months of trouble brewing.

The New York Times

"There were indications that he was involved in near-term planning".

The New York Times

There were indications that the more negative tone Mr. McCain adopted this summer could prove risky.

The New York Times

There were indications that the junta itself understood the potency of the American position.

The New York Times

General Vines said there were indications that the infiltration had come from the Pakistani border.

The New York Times

But in 1982 there were indications that Mrs. Durst had made it to Manhattan.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid overuse of "there were indications" in close proximity within your writing. Vary your sentence structure and vocabulary to maintain reader engagement and prevent monotony.

Common error

Don't leave "there were indications" hanging without specifying what those indications were. Always follow up with concrete examples or details to avoid ambiguity and strengthen your claim.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there were indications" functions as an existential clause introducing evidence or signs that suggest something. It sets the stage for presenting supporting information, as illustrated by Ludwig in its examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "there were indications" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to introduce supporting evidence or signs related to a specific event, claim, or situation. As Ludwig indicates, this phrase commonly appears in news and media outlets, as well as in scientific and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, it's crucial to clarify what those indications are to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "there were signs" or "it suggested that" can be used to provide variety and to help to emphasize specific aspects of the evidence. Overall, "there were indications" is a versatile and useful phrase for conveying evidence-based information effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there were signs

Replaces "indications" with "signs", offering a more direct synonym with minimal change in meaning.

there were clues

Substitutes "indications" with "clues", implying subtle hints or pieces of evidence.

there was evidence

Changes to a singular structure, focusing on the presence of "evidence" rather than multiple "indications".

it suggested that

Shifts the sentence structure to emphasize what the signs implied, rather than their mere existence.

it pointed to

Changes the phrasing to highlight the direction in which the evidence was leading.

the evidence suggested

Reorders the sentence to emphasize the role of "evidence" as the subject.

there appeared to be

Introduces a degree of uncertainty, suggesting things seemed a certain way.

signs suggested that

Combines "signs" with a direct implication, highlighting what the signs conveyed.

it seemed apparent

Indicates that something was becoming clear or obvious through emerging signs.

initial findings showed

Replaces indications with findings, especially in more scientific or investigative contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "there were indications" in a sentence?

Use "there were indications" to introduce evidence or clues suggesting a particular outcome or situation. For example, "After reviewing the data, there were indications that the project was behind schedule".

What can I say instead of "there were indications"?

You can use alternatives like "there were signs", "it suggested that", or "evidence showed" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "there were indications" or "the evidence indicated"?

Both "there were indications" and "the evidence indicated" are grammatically correct, but "the evidence indicated" is more direct and emphasizes the evidence itself. The choice depends on the desired emphasis and flow of your writing.

What's the difference between "there were indications" and "there were assumptions"?

"There were indications" suggests that conclusions are based on tangible evidence or signs, while "there were assumptions" implies that conclusions are based on speculation or conjecture without concrete proof. The former is generally more reliable.