weak indicator of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "weak indicator of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that suggests or points to a conclusion, but does so with limited strength or reliability. Example: "The low sales figures are a weak indicator of the overall market demand for the product."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Having a high-school diploma or university degree is a weak indicator of whether one has skills that increase productive capacity.

The Economist

No one — including the researchers from the United States Army, the National Institutes of Health, the Thai Ministry of Public Health and two vaccine companies that tested the vaccine — knows why the vaccine gave even its weak indicator of success.

The New York Times - Health

All the oils were dark gold, yielding a nugget of useful information: only freshly pressed oil is green, and it soon turns gold in the bottle, making color a weak indicator of quality.

The New York Times - Food

Past performance is only a weak indicator of future performance.

Forbes

It is a very weak indicator of future performance.

Forbes

We said that past performance is only a weak indicator of future performance.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

But those numbers are weak indicators of future performance.

The New York Times

Over all, though, "there is growing concern that the tests we have been using provide relatively weak indicators of longer-term success," said Michael J. Feuer, the executive director of the Center for Education, a division of the National Research Council in Washington.

The New York Times

Unfortunately, he used very weak indicators of quality parent reports of staff-child ratios, group size, and caregiver training.

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

Peripheral measures of monoamine metabolism may be weak indicators of activity affecting the central systems: but the changes that are registered are strong enough to be relevant to the study of behaviour [ 12].

Behavioral and Brain Functions

While some other keywords are rather weak indicators of direct interactions such as 'upregulates' or 'inhibits' (this set of pairs was named as 'GroupII' and included 1665 protein pairs).

Bioinformatics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "weak indicator of", ensure that you clarify the specific limitations or factors that make the indicator unreliable to avoid misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid presenting a "weak indicator of" as a strong or definitive predictor. Always acknowledge its limitations to maintain credibility and avoid misleading readers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "weak indicator of" functions as a qualifier describing the strength of a relationship between a sign or measure and the phenomenon it indicates. As Ludwig AI confirms, it correctly conveys that the indicator is not a reliable or strong predictor.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "weak indicator of" is a useful tool for expressing uncertainty or limited confidence in a sign, measure, or piece of evidence. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical correctness and varied usage across science, news media, and formal business contexts make it a versatile and reliable expression. When using this phrase, be mindful to contextualize the limitations of the indicator to prevent misinterpretations. Alternatives such as "poor predictor of" or "unreliable sign of" can be used to convey similar meanings, but with subtle shifts in emphasis. Overall, "weak indicator of" serves as a valuable qualifier in contexts where caution and accurate interpretation are paramount.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

poor predictor of

Focuses on the predictive aspect, implying a lack of accuracy in forecasting outcomes.

unreliable sign of

Highlights the uncertainty and potential for misleading information.

limited evidence of

Emphasizes the scarcity of supporting data or proof.

tenuous link to

Suggests a connection that is fragile and easily broken.

flimsy basis for

Indicates a weak foundation or justification.

dubious measure of

Raises doubts about the validity and trustworthiness of the metric.

inconclusive gauge of

Implies that the assessment is not definitive or decisive.

questionable index of

Suggests that the indicator's reliability is open to debate.

uncertain guide to

Highlights the ambiguity and potential for misdirection.

speculative marker for

Emphasizes the conjectural and unproven nature of the association.

FAQs

What does "weak indicator of" mean?

The phrase "weak indicator of" suggests that something is not a reliable or strong sign of something else. It implies a limited correlation or predictive power.

How can I use "weak indicator of" in a sentence?

You can use "weak indicator of" to describe a factor that has a limited influence or correlation. For example, "While the data shows a slight increase, it is a "weak indicator of" significant market growth."

What are some alternatives to "weak indicator of"?

Alternatives include "poor predictor of", "unreliable sign of", or "limited evidence of". For example, the phrase "poor predictor of" can be used when the context is about forecasting.

How does a "weak indicator of" differ from a "strong indicator of"?

A "weak indicator of" provides limited or unreliable information, while a "strong indicator of" offers a clear and dependable signal. One suggests caution, the other confidence.