to signify

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to signify" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate or represent something, often in a formal or literary context. Example: "The red light is used to signify that vehicles must stop."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It has to signify a new era".

The New York Times

What might Tim's walking come to signify?

The Guardian - Books

Was that supposed to SIGNIFY something?

The New Yorker

It seems to signify otherworldliness, something primal and social taboos.

The Guardian - Arts

And those Olympic roses seemed to signify something else.

The New York Times - Sports

Lawyers use capital letters to signify that something is important.

The New York Times

It's basically using electricity to signify near-total inaction.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Presumably, this is supposed to signify a happy ending.

The Guardian - Film

He had added a black strip to signify mourning.

The New York Times

There's nothing to signify that it's a joke.

The Guardian

And Muse, of course, want their music to signify everything.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider whether a simpler word like "mean" or "indicate" might be more appropriate for clarity, especially in less formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "to signify" in casual conversation or informal writing where it might sound pretentious or overly formal. Opt for simpler alternatives like "mean", "show", or "indicate" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to signify" functions primarily as an infinitive verb phrase. It introduces a clause explaining the purpose, meaning, or representation of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to indicate or represent something, often in a formal or literary context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to signify" is a grammatically sound and frequently used infinitive verb phrase. It is primarily employed to denote that something represents, indicates, or symbolizes something else. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans across diverse contexts from news and media to scientific and formal business communications, with a tendency toward a neutral to formal tone. While versatile, it is advisable to consider simpler alternatives like "to mean" or ""to indicate"" in more informal settings to maintain clarity and naturalness. The high frequency and broad applicability of "to signify" make it a valuable asset in a writer's toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to indicate

This alternative is more direct and less formal than "to signify".

to represent

This phrase emphasizes the role of standing in for something else.

to denote

This alternative is more formal and precise, often used in technical contexts.

to imply

This suggests a less direct form of indication, hinting rather than stating.

to mean

This alternative is a simpler and more common way of expressing the same idea.

to suggest

This alternative is softer than "to signify", implying a possible meaning.

to symbolize

This alternative focuses on the use of symbols to represent something.

to express

This shifts the focus to conveying a feeling or idea.

to betoken

This is an archaic and literary alternative, suggesting a foreshadowing.

to evince

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the act of showing evidence.

FAQs

How can I use "to signify" in a sentence?

You can use "to signify" to indicate that something represents or indicates something else. For example, "The color red is often used "to indicate" danger" or "A handshake "represents" agreement".

What are some alternatives to "to signify"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like ""to indicate"", "to represent", "to denote", or "to mean" as alternatives to "to signify".

Is it always appropriate to use "to signify" in formal writing?

While "to signify" is suitable for formal writing, ensure it fits the tone and isn't overly verbose. In some cases, a more direct word like "to show" or ""to indicate"" might be clearer and more effective.

What's the difference between "to signify" and "to suggest"?

"To signify" implies a more direct and intentional representation, whereas "to suggest" implies a less direct hint or implication. For example, a flag "to signify" nationality, while a character's actions to suggest hidden motives.