Cool MateIndication vs Signal
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Indication
Top 1,000 (very common)B2noun
Signal
Top 1,000 (very common)B1noun
| Indication | Signal | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌɪndɪˈkeɪʃn/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌɪndɪˈkeɪʃn/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈsɪɡnəl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈsɪɡnəl/"]/ |
| Meaning | A sign or suggestion that something is true or might happen. | A sign or message that tells someone something. |
| Example | The sudden drop in temperature is an indication that a storm is approaching. | The radio signal was weak, making it difficult to hear the news. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | B1 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun |
| Collocations | firm, good, strong, be, serve as, have, point to something, show something, suggest something, amid indications of, amid indications that…, indication as to, (all) the indications are that…, early indications are that…, preliminary indications are that… | clear, unmistakable, agreed, give (somebody), make, send, come from something, indicate something, at a signal, on a signal, signal for, railroad, railway, traffic, operate, be on red/green, be red/green, fail, box, failure, faint, weak, strong, carry, pass, relay, travel, fade, intensity, strength, signal from, signal to, clear, unmistakable, agreed, give (somebody), make, send, come from something, indicate something, at a signal, on a signal, signal for |
| Antonyms | confusion, ambiguity | noise, silence |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'indicate' as a verb., Using 'indication' without a clear object or context., Mixing up 'indication' with similar-sounding words like 'indecision'. | Confused with 'sign' — remember 'signal' is an act of sending a message., Using the wrong preposition, e.g., 'signal to' instead of 'signal for'., Mispronunciation, often saying 'sig-nal' instead of 'sig-nuhl'. |
| Usage notes | Used in both spoken and written contexts. It's more common in formal discussions, such as reports or presentations. Avoid using it in very casual conversations. | Commonly used in both formal and informal contexts. In technical settings, it may refer to electromagnetic signals or communication. Avoid in very casual conversations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Indication vs Signal
What's the difference between Indication and Signal?
Indication: A sign or suggestion that something is true or might happen. Signal: A sign or message that tells someone something.
Are Indication and Signal the same CEFR level?
Indication: B2, Signal: B1 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Indication and Signal interchangeably?
Not always. Indication and Signal are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.