to indicate with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to indicate with" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward in certain contexts.
It can be used when specifying a method or tool used to indicate something, but it is often clearer to use simpler expressions. Example: "The teacher used a pointer to indicate with the diagram where the students should focus their attention."

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

Not surprisingly, bars like the Violet Hour — unmarked, with a lone bulb outside to indicate, with a faint glow, when drinks are being served inside — do not specialize in Prohibition cocktails, only in a Prohibition vibe.

The New York Times - Food

He also appears to have forgotten how to indicate, with a nod, which is more: one marker tapped against his arm or two, said Sharon Naftali, his former classroom teacher who works with him in a yoga class.

The New York Times

The only real talking point of the first 45 minutes was one of the season's more amusing cautions, when Ben Arfa took exception to Rooney flailing away at Fabricio Coloccini as he lay on top of the ball and arrived, after a free-kick had been awarded, to indicate with the universal gesture that Rooney might have a screw or two missing.

The Guardian - Sport

They were asked to indicate with a "yes" or "no" which they considered a possible career and to rank their top three career choices.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

The true and false positives can be separated in two ways: (1) true positives have some difference in their names, which is possible to indicate with regular expression, in contrast to false positives; (2) the names of the true positives can be given as list in a separate file.

Journal of Cheminformatics

The subject's task was to indicate with a key stroke, whether the target or the comparison stimulus appeared to have a higher contrast.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

The degree of differentiation is scaled from 3 to 5 (grades 1 and 2 are no longer in wide use), with 3 to indicate tumors with glandular differentiation, 4 to indicate tumors with aglandular differentiation, and 5 to indicate no differentiation with cancer cells not organized into recognizable structures.

BMC Cancer

At the Health Department's request, the Explorers Club sent out a questionnaire asking respondents to indicate -- with a yes, a no or the highly unlikely "don't remember" -- if they had eaten mealworms, scorpions, crickets or tarantulas.

The New York Times - Food

He rarely uses the words 'our' or 'we' when he speaks, to indicate inclusiveness with those he is addressing".

The New York Times

That could be seen as a big enough number to suggest that their strategy was flawed from the start or small enough one to indicate that, with a more favourable media wind, the populist tide would have been held back.

The Guardian

We use the dot to indicate differentiation with respect to time t.

Pacific Journal of Mathematics for Industry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using stronger, more direct verbs like "show", "signal", or "represent" instead of "indicate with" to improve clarity and conciseness. For example, instead of saying "indicate with a pointer", you can say "show with a pointer."

Common error

Avoid using "to indicate with" when a simpler verb and preposition combination would suffice. Overusing complex phrasing can make your writing sound stilted and less natural. Instead of "to indicate with a gesture", try "to gesture".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to indicate with" functions as an infinitive phrase that introduces a purpose or method. It specifies how an action is performed, typically involving a tool or a gesture, as seen in Ludwig's examples where subjects "indicate with a key stroke", "indicate with a computer mouse", or "indicate with a colour pen".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

70%

News & Media

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to indicate with" serves to specify the method or means by which an indication is made. While grammatically sound, it can often be replaced with more concise alternatives like "show using" or "signal with". As Ludwig AI points out, "to indicate with" is acceptable but not always the most elegant choice. It appears most frequently in scientific contexts, with occasional use in news and media. By understanding its function and potential alternatives, writers can make informed decisions about its use and improve the clarity and conciseness of their writing. Always consider if a simpler verb or prepositional phrase might better serve your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to show using

Focuses on the action of showing, emphasizing the method used.

to signify by means of

Emphasizes the act of signifying and the tool or method employed.

to denote with

Highlights the action of denoting and the accompanying instrument.

to represent through

Emphasizes the act of representing something and the medium used for representation.

to mark with

Focuses on the action of marking and the instrument used for marking.

to signal using

Highlights the action of signaling and the means by which the signal is conveyed.

to specify via

Emphasizes the action of specifying and the means of specification.

to express through

Focuses on expressing something and the medium or method of expression.

to reveal by way of

Emphasizes revealing something and the method through which it is revealed.

to demonstrate with

Highlights the act of demonstrating and the tool or method used in the demonstration.

FAQs

What's a simpler way to say "to indicate with"?

You can often replace "to indicate with" with more direct phrases like "to show with", "to signal using", or "to represent through" depending on the specific context. Using simpler language improves clarity and flow.

How can I make my writing more concise when using "to indicate with"?

Look for opportunities to combine the verb and preposition into a single, stronger verb. For example, instead of "to indicate with a nod", try simply "to nod".

Is "to indicate with" grammatically incorrect?

No, "to indicate with" is not grammatically incorrect, but it can sometimes sound awkward or unnecessarily complex. Consider whether a simpler phrasing would be more effective.

What are some specific examples where I should avoid "to indicate with"?

Avoid using "to indicate with" when describing simple actions. For instance, instead of "to indicate with a finger", use "to point". In general, strive for brevity and directness in your writing.