were indicating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were indicating" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing actions or behaviors that were happening in the past, often in a context where someone or something was pointing out or showing information. Example: "The researchers were indicating a significant correlation between the two variables in their study."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

"At that point they were indicating they were weeks away from pouring in the concrete.

The Guardian

Kunin mentioned the latest McCain-Obama polls, which were indicating a tight race.

The New Yorker

On the crucial question of managing the economy, voters were indicating that they trusted the Conservatives more than Labour.

The New Yorker

Rand Paul, of Kentucky, and Shelley Moore Capito, of West Virginia, were indicating that they might vote against it.

The New Yorker

Even before Monday night, the television ratings were indicating that the Fall Classic continues to drift from the nation's consciousness.

The New York Times - Sports

This was deliberate: like the Pope stooping to embrace a disfigured pilgrim at St. Peter's, the women were indicating that Tsarnaev was not a leper.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Solutions were indicated.

The New York Times

P values were indicated.

Protein & Cell

No revisions were indicated.

Journal of Patient-Reported Outcomes

PSWCs were indicated in the EEG.

Plosone

Errors were indicated by an auditory signal.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were indicating", ensure that the subject clearly identifies what is doing the indicating. Clarity prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "were indicating" when a simple past tense, "indicated", suffices. The continuous form is appropriate for ongoing or repeated actions, not for single, completed instances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were indicating" functions as a progressive verb phrase, conveying an action that was in progress in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is used to describe ongoing trends or signs observed over time, highlighting continuous evidence, as shown in multiple examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were indicating" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that conveys an ongoing action of suggesting or pointing towards something in the past. Ludwig AI highlights that this phrase is suitable for various contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific research. When writing with "were indicating", it's crucial to ensure the subject is plural and to use the phrase when describing continuous or repeated actions, rather than single events. Alternatives such as "were suggesting" or "were pointing to" can be used to fine-tune the meaning, but "were indicating" remains a versatile and reliable choice for expressing trends and observed signs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were suggesting

Emphasizes the act of hinting or implying, rather than directly showing.

were pointing to

Highlights directionality and evidence supporting a particular conclusion.

were showing

Focuses on the act of displaying or revealing information.

were demonstrating

Implies a more active and conclusive display of evidence.

were signaling

Highlights the act of sending a signal or message.

were hinting at

Suggests a subtle or indirect form of indication.

were intimating

Implies a delicate or private way of communicating something.

were alluding to

Highlights the use of indirect references or suggestions.

were reflective of

Indicates that something mirrored or represented a particular state or condition.

were symptomatic of

Suggests that something acted as a symptom or sign of an underlying issue.

FAQs

How can I use "were indicating" in a sentence?

Use "were indicating" to describe an ongoing trend or signs observed over a period. For instance, "The polls "were indicating" a shift in voter sentiment before the election".

What are some alternatives to "were indicating"?

Alternatives include "were suggesting", "were pointing to", or "were showing", depending on the context and the nuance you wish to convey.

When should I use "were indicating" vs. "indicated"?

"Were indicating" suggests an ongoing or repeated action, while "indicated" implies a single, completed action. For example, "Early results indicated a close race" vs. "Early results "were indicating" a trend towards a close race as more votes were counted".

Is "was indicating" grammatically correct?

No, "was indicating" is used with a singular subject, whereas "were indicating" is used with a plural subject. For a singular subject, you would say, "The data "was indicating" a problem".