Cool MateNo indication vs No sign
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
No indication
Top 3,000 (common)
No sign
Top 5,000 (fairly common)
Most common: No indication
| No indication | No sign | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //nəʊ ˌɪndɪˈkeɪʃən//🇺🇸 //noʊ ˌɪndɪˈkeɪʃən// | 🇬🇧 //nəʊ saɪn//🇺🇸 //noʊ saɪn// |
| Meaning | No sign or clue about something. | No evidence or indication of something. |
| Example | There was no indication that the meeting would be canceled. | There was no sign of life in the abandoned house. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| Collocations | no indication of, give no indication, show no indication | no sign of life, no sign of activity, no sign of trouble, no sign of progress, no sign of improvement |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'no indication of' which requires a follow-up context., Using it in overly formal settings instead of simpler phrases. | Using 'no sign' when referring to a person instead of evidence, Confusing 'sign' with unrelated meanings like 'signal', Using 'no sign' in a context where a specific explanation is needed |
| Usage notes | Used typically in neutral contexts to describe a lack of information or certainty. Avoid in formal writing without context. | Use this phrase when something isn't visible or clear. Appropriate in casual and formal contexts, but avoid in very informal settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: No indication vs No sign
What's the difference between No indication and No sign?
No indication: No sign or clue about something. No sign: No evidence or indication of something.
Which is more common: No indication and No sign?
No indication is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
No indication: There was no indication that the meeting would be canceled. No sign: There was no sign of life in the abandoned house.
Can I use No indication and No sign interchangeably?
Not always. No indication and No sign 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.