- Do you ever wonder if you’re using “indication” correctly in your sentences?
- Are you unsure which verbs or adjectives naturally pair with “indication”?
- Do you want to sound more natural and fluent when expressing ideas related to signs or signals?
Understanding collocations, which are words that frequently go together, is crucial for achieving fluency and sounding like a native speaker. Instead of guessing, learning collocations for words like “indication” will help you express yourself with greater accuracy and confidence, reducing what we call ‘language anxiety’ and boosting your communication skills.
Essential Collocations using Indication as a Noun
“Indication” is primarily used as a noun, referring to a sign, a signal, a piece of information, or a symptom that suggests something. Mastering its collocations will significantly enhance your English proficiency.
Verbs that pair with ‘Indication’
These verbs describe the act of giving, showing, or finding a sign or signal.
- Give an indication: To show or provide a sign.
Example: The early results give a clear indication of market interest.
- Provide an indication: Similar to “give,” often used in more formal contexts.
Example: The survey aims to provide an indication of customer satisfaction.
- Show an indication: To display a sign or symptom.
Example: He didn’t show any indication of being upset.
- Offer an indication: To present a sign or clue.
Example: The historical data can offer an indication of future trends.
- Find an indication: To discover a sign or piece of evidence.
Example: Researchers hope to find an indication of success in the trials.
- Detect an indication: To notice or discover something that is often subtle.
Example: The sensors failed to detect any indication of a leak.
- Receive an indication: To get a sign or signal.
Example: We have received no indication that the project will be delayed.
Adjectives that describe ‘Indication’
These adjectives specify the type, strength, or clarity of the sign or signal.
- Clear indication: An obvious or unmistakable sign.
Example: There was a clear indication that the economy was improving.
- Strong indication: A powerful or compelling sign.
Example: All the data points to a strong indication of growth.
- Early indication: A sign that appears at an initial stage.
Example: We are seeing early indications of recovery in the housing market.
- Positive indication: A favorable or good sign.
Example: Her improved performance is a positive indication of her dedication.
- Negative indication: An unfavorable or bad sign.
Example: The test results gave a negative indication for further treatment.
- Definite indication: A certain or precise sign.
Example: We need a more definite indication of their intentions.
- Reliable indication: A trustworthy or consistent sign.
Example: Customer feedback can be a reliable indication of product quality.
- Any/no indication: Used to refer to the presence or absence of a sign.
Example: Is there any indication of when the meeting will end?
Prepositions that follow ‘Indication’
These prepositions clarify the relationship between the indication and what it refers to.
- Indication of: Most common; refers to what the sign is about.
Example: The dark clouds were an indication of an approaching storm.
- Indication for: Used, especially in medical contexts, to mean a reason or necessity for something.
Example: The patient’s symptoms present an indication for immediate surgery.
- Indication as to: Used when referring to a question or uncertainty.
Example: They sought some indication as to how the problem could be resolved.
Common Noun Phrases with ‘Indication’
How ‘indication’ combines with other nouns to form meaningful phrases.
- An indication of success/failure: A sign pointing towards a positive or negative outcome.
Example: The high enrollment numbers are a good indication of success for the new course.
- An indication of interest/support: A sign revealing someone’s engagement or approval.
Example: We received several inquiries, which is an encouraging indication of interest.
- An indication of the need for: A sign showing that something is required.
Example: The rising crime rates are a stark indication of the need for community action.
Master Summary Table: Key Collocations with ‘Indication’
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| give an indication | Verb + Noun | to show a sign |
| provide an indication | Verb + Noun | to offer a sign (formal) |
| clear indication | Adjective + Noun | an obvious sign |
| strong indication | Adjective + Noun | a compelling sign |
| early indication | Adjective + Noun | a sign seen at the start |
| positive indication | Adjective + Noun | a good, favorable sign |
| no indication | Determiner + Noun | absence of any sign |
| indication of | Noun + Preposition | sign about something |
| indication for | Noun + Preposition | reason or necessity (esp. medical) |
| indication as to | Noun + Preposition | sign regarding a question |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
Avoid these common learner errors to sound more natural when using “indication.”
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| Make an indication | Give an indication / Provide an indication |
| Big indication | Strong indication / Clear indication |
| Indication about | Indication of / Indication as to |
| Feel an indication | Detect an indication / Find an indication |
| Indication to success | Indication of success |
Subject: Project X Progress Update
Dear Team,
I’m pleased to report on the initial phase of Project X. While it’s still early, the preliminary data appears to give a strong indication of positive user engagement. Our recent market analysis also helped provide a clear indication of the target demographic’s preferences. We’ve received no indication of any major roadblocks so far, and this is certainly a positive indication for our upcoming launch. There’s also a growing indication of interest from potential partners. We are confident these early indications will translate into sustained success. Next week, we’ll discuss these findings and offer an indication of the next steps. Thank you.
Frequently Asked Questions about Indication Collocations
What is the difference between “indication of” and “indication for”?
“Indication of” means a sign or evidence that something exists or is true (e.g., an indication of rain). “Indication for” often suggests a reason or necessity for a specific action or treatment, especially in medical contexts (e.g., an indication for surgery).
Can “indication” be used in its plural form, “indications”?
Yes, absolutely. “Indications” is commonly used to refer to multiple signs or pieces of evidence. For example, “The latest economic reports show several indications of recovery.”
Are “sign,” “hint,” and “indication” interchangeable?
While similar, they have subtle differences. “Sign” is very general. “Hint” suggests something subtle, indirect, or incomplete. “Indication” implies a more definite piece of evidence or a tendency, often based on observed data or symptoms, making it slightly more formal and precise than “hint.” For instance, a cough is a “sign” of illness; a slight raise of an eyebrow could be a “hint” of disapproval; but a fever, cough, and fatigue together are strong “indications” of the flu.
What are some common prepositions used with “indication” when talking about uncertainty?
When there’s a question or uncertainty, the preposition “as to” is frequently used. For example, “We need an indication as to their plans,” or “There was no clear indication as to why the system failed.”
How is “indication” often used in scientific or technical fields?
In scientific and technical fields, “indication” is often used to refer to data points, readings, or symptoms. For example, “The pressure gauge showed a worrying indication,” or “Early clinical trials provided a positive indication of the drug’s efficacy.” It carries a sense of objective evidence.
This blog post is a gem! Collocations are truly the secret sauce to sounding more native. I'm going to try to use 'provide an indication' more in my business emails.
Thank you, Mei Lin! We're so glad you found it valuable. You're absolutely right; mastering collocations is transformative for fluency. Using 'provide an indication' in business emails is an excellent goal – it will definitely make your communication sound more polished and professional. Keep up the fantastic effort!
Are there situations where 'indication' is too formal? Sometimes I worry about sounding too stiff in casual conversation.
That's a thoughtful consideration, Pablo! While 'indication' isn't overly formal, in very casual conversations, you might opt for simpler alternatives depending on the context. For instance, instead of 'He gave an indication he was leaving,' you might say 'He showed signs he was leaving' or 'He hinted he was leaving.' However, 'indication' is perfectly acceptable in most general discussions and professional settings. It's all about matching your register to the situation!
I used 'showed an indication' in a presentation last week and wasn't sure if it sounded quite right. This article confirms it's correct! Phew! Always good to double-check.
That's wonderful, Anna! It sounds like you used it perfectly. It's exactly this kind of self-correction and curiosity that leads to fluency. Great job using 'show an indication' in a real-world context!
Can 'indication' be used with a preposition, like 'indication of something'? Or is it more common to use it in other structures?
Excellent question, Kwame! Yes, 'indication of something' is a very common and correct structure. For example, 'The laughter was an indication of their happiness,' or 'The fever is an indication of an infection.' You'll frequently see 'indication' followed by 'of' to specify what the sign or signal refers to. It's a crucial part of using the word accurately!
I'm preparing for the IELTS exam, and this topic is super relevant for the writing section. Using natural collocations instead of awkward phrasing can really boost my score. Thanks a lot!
That's fantastic to hear, Sofia! You're absolutely right; incorporating natural collocations is a key strategy for achieving a higher band score in IELTS, especially in areas like Lexical Resource. It shows a sophisticated command of English. Keep practicing with these collocations, and you'll shine in your exam!
This post highlights why learning chunks of language rather than individual words is so important. Collocations are key! Any tips for remembering all these pairings more easily?
You've absolutely hit the nail on the head, Raj! Learning in chunks is incredibly effective. For remembering collocations, we suggest a few strategies: 1) Create example sentences that are relevant to your own life. 2) Use flashcards with the full collocation (e.g., 'give an indication' on one side). 3) Read widely in English and pay attention to how native speakers use words together. 4) Practice speaking and writing with these new collocations. The more you use them, the more natural they'll become!
In French, we might say 'donner une indication,' which translates directly to 'give an indication.' It's nice when it matches up for once! Sometimes it's a nightmare with collocations.
That's a wonderful point, Isabelle! It's always a pleasant surprise when direct translations align, making learning a bit easier. You're right, though, collocations are often where the biggest differences lie between languages. It highlights why focusing on them, as you are, is so effective for fluency!
I appreciate the focus on reducing 'language anxiety.' It's a real struggle when you're not confident about word choice. This article really helps build that confidence for 'indication'.
Hiroshi, your feedback means a lot to us! Our primary goal is to empower English learners and make their journey smoother. Reducing language anxiety by providing clear, reliable guidance on natural English usage is something we're very passionate about. We're thrilled this article resonated with you!
The examples are super clear! I loved the example: 'The early results give a clear indication of market interest.' This makes it easy to remember. More examples like this, please!
We're delighted to hear that, Chloe! Clear and contextualized examples are crucial for effective learning. We always strive to provide them in our articles. Keep an eye out for more posts with practical examples to help you solidify your understanding!
I often mix up 'indication' with 'hint' or 'clue.' Is there a subtle difference in meaning or usage, or are they often interchangeable? This article has been great for 'indication' itself!
That's a brilliant observation, Lars! While 'hint' and 'clue' can sometimes overlap with 'indication,' they often carry slightly different nuances. 'Hint' usually suggests an indirect suggestion or a slight sign, often intentionally given. 'Clue' often refers to a piece of information that helps solve a mystery or problem. 'Indication' is broader, referring to any sign or signal that suggests something, whether intentional or not, and is often more formal. Think of 'indication' as the overarching category, with 'hint' and 'clue' being more specific types of indications.