what it indicates

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what it indicates" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the meaning or implications of something previously mentioned. Example: "The data collected from the survey is crucial; we need to analyze what it indicates about customer preferences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

I don't know what it indicates.

The Guardian - Film

But in terms of what it indicates and presages, it is the most worrying.

The New York Times

The sobering significance of the Yemeni underwear bomb was less the plot itself than what it indicates about the way forward.

The Guardian - Opinion

We feel this is a harbinger of what could come, for what it indicates in terms of what the future holds".

The Guardian

"What it indicates is that perhaps the labor market is starting to gain some traction," said Jay Bryson, global economist at Wachovia Securities in Charlotte, N.C.

The New York Times

The indictment includes what it indicates is a verbatim quotation from an April 1999 conversation Mr. Rosen had with an official of a foreign country, identified as Israel by government officials who have been briefed on the case.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

[C4.] ArvinMeritor Raises Bid for Dana The auto supplier ArvinMeritor made what it indicated would be its final offer for Dana, raising its hostile bid by 20percentto to $18 a share.

The New York Times

The auto supplier ArvinMeritor made what it indicated would be its final offer for the Dana Corporation on Monday, raising its hostile bid by 20percentto to $18 a share.

The New York Times

That's what it actually indicates".

The Guardian

But what it really indicates is that the country has lost the faith of the markets.

The Guardian - Business

What it also indicates is that the volatile output of oil and gas has become a lot more volatile than even the industry expected, and it's struggling to see why or what can be done about it.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what it indicates" when you want to draw attention to the underlying significance or implications of a particular fact or observation. For instance, 'The increase in sales what it indicates is a growing consumer confidence'.

Common error

Avoid assuming that because something "indicates" a trend, it necessarily causes that trend. "What it indicates" only suggests a possible relationship, not a definitive cause-and-effect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what it indicates" functions as a noun clause, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It introduces an explanation or interpretation of a preceding statement or observation. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what it indicates" is a versatile phrase used to highlight the meaning or implication of a statement or event. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It functions as a noun clause, providing clarity and depth in communication. While alternatives like "what it suggests" or "what it reveals" exist, "what it indicates" is frequently employed across various contexts, especially in News & Media and Scientific sources. The key is to avoid misinterpreting correlation for causation when using the phrase. Understanding its purpose and context ensures clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what it signifies

Changes the verb to 'signifies', emphasizing the meaning or importance of something.

what it implies

Replaces 'indicates' with 'implies', focusing on the suggested or hinted meaning.

what it suggests

Uses 'suggests' instead of 'indicates', highlighting the proposition or hint conveyed.

what it reveals

Substitutes 'indicates' with 'reveals', underscoring the unveiling or disclosure of information.

what it demonstrates

Replaces 'indicates' with 'demonstrates', emphasizing the act of showing or proving something.

what it points to

Uses 'points to' instead of 'indicates', focusing on direction or implication.

what it signifies about

Adds 'about' to specify the topic or subject that is being indicated.

what it reflects

Replaces 'indicates' with 'reflects', emphasizing mirroring or representing something.

what it communicates

Substitutes 'indicates' with 'communicates', focusing on the transmission of information.

the meaning it conveys

Rephrases the entire construction to focus on the conveyed meaning, offering a more descriptive alternative.

FAQs

How can I use "what it indicates" in a sentence?

Use "what it indicates" to highlight the meaning or implication of something. For example, "The study's findings are significant; we need to analyze "what it indicates" about future trends."

What are some alternatives to "what it indicates"?

You can use alternatives like "what it suggests", "what it reveals", or "what it implies" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "what it is indicating" instead of "what it indicates"?

While grammatically valid, "what it is indicating" is less concise and generally less preferred than ""what it indicates"". The latter is more direct and commonly used.

What's the difference between "what it indicates" and "what it means"?

"What it indicates" often refers to the indirect or implied meaning, while "what it means" refers to the direct or explicit meaning. For example, "The decrease in attendance what it indicates is a lack of interest" versus "The word 'ambiguous' what it means is open to interpretation".