what this indicates

USAGE SUMMARY

"what this indicates" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to introduce a statement or explanation of something that has been previously mentioned or discussed. Example: "The decrease in sales for the third quarter is concerning. However, what this indicates is that our marketing strategy needs to be adjusted in order to attract more customers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

What this indicates above all is the inability of Lansley to communicate what his reforms are really about.

The Guardian

"What this indicates is, first, that those attempts were not successful and second, just any old merger won't fly under the Bush administration".

The New York Times

What this indicates is that the media, far from representing debate across all wings of the party, has chosen to propagate a certain political position: Jeremy must go.

The Guardian

What this indicates is that building new forms of transnational governance will require many new institutions, which are often unlike those that have become established in national political systems.

The Guardian - Opinion

What this indicates is that domestic terrorist attacks perpetrated by Muslims do less harm to public sentiment and the connection of violence and Islam, than do election cycles, and the manufacturing of consent in the run-up to war.

University of California, Berkeley

"What this indicates to me is that if they're not using remote-control devices in our sector, they will be soon," Folsom said — and they have in fact encountered them since I left.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

He added that it was "very significant" that the president asked everyone else to leave the room before expressing his "hope," saying that an investigator would note what this indicated about the president's intent.

The Washington Post

What this indicated was that, in this particular classroom setting, this student (and potentially others) were exposed to additional science concepts not found in the kindergarten or first grade standards or curriculum.

CBE Life Sciences Education

What all this indicates is that Ms. Jordan understands how much it takes to fill a stage with a play's worth of material, and that her "wrighting" skills are ahead of her life experiences.

The New York Times

Tell me, what about this indicates that it is either a game or a toy?

Vice

What this probably indicates is that while the most cyclical industries are shedding workers, there is hiring going on in some other businesses.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "what this indicates", ensure the 'this' clearly refers to a previously mentioned fact or situation to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "what this indicates" without a clear antecedent for 'this'. Ensure your reader understands what 'this' refers to, otherwise, the sentence becomes confusing and loses its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what this indicates" functions as a transitional phrase, introducing an interpretation or conclusion based on preceding information. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in diverse contexts to connect evidence with implications.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

33%

Science

27%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what this indicates" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that serves to introduce an explanation or conclusion drawn from prior information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Academia, and Science. To enhance clarity, always ensure the 'this' clearly refers to a specific antecedent. Alternatives such as "this suggests" or "this implies" can be used for stylistic variation or to adjust the level of certainty. When using this expression, make sure that the sentence structure is clear and that the context makes the meaning apparent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this shows

A simpler, more direct way of saying "indicates".

this suggests

Replaces "indicates" with a more tentative term, suggesting a possibility rather than a firm conclusion.

this reflects

Suggests the concept is mirroring or representing something else.

this implies

Uses a stronger term than "indicates", suggesting a more direct consequence or logical connection.

this highlights

Draws attention to a specific aspect or element.

this points to

Emphasizes directionality, implying a trend or the revelation of something significant.

this reveals

Highlights the act of uncovering or making something known.

this underscores

Emphasizes the importance or significance of something.

this demonstrates

Focuses on providing evidence or proof of something.

this signifies

Emphasizes the symbolic meaning or importance of something.

FAQs

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

Use "what this indicates" to introduce an interpretation or conclusion drawn from previously stated information. For example, "The company's profits have declined; what this indicates is a need for strategic changes."

What is a more formal alternative to "what this indicates"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "this suggests" or "this implies" to convey a similar meaning in a more sophisticated manner.

Is it better to say "what this indicates" or "what does this indicate"?

"What this indicates" is generally used to introduce a statement, while "what does this indicate?" is used as a question seeking clarification. The choice depends on whether you are providing an interpretation or seeking one.

Can I start a sentence with "what this indicates"?

Yes, you can start a sentence with "what this indicates" to emphasize the interpretation being presented. However, ensure the context leading up to the sentence is clear to avoid confusion.