Cool MateCue vs Indication
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Cue
Top 2,000 (common)B2noun
Indication
Top 1,000 (very common)B2noun
Most common: Indication
| Cue | Indication | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/kjuː/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kjuː/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌɪndɪˈkeɪʃn/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌɪndɪˈkeɪʃn/"]/ |
| Meaning | A signal or reminder to do something. | A sign or suggestion that something is true or might happen. |
| Example | He gave me a subtle cue to start the presentation. | The sudden drop in temperature is an indication that a storm is approaching. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | B2 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun |
| Collocations | visual, wait for, follow, take, on cue, cue for, right on cue, take your cue from somebody/something, visual, wait for, follow, take, on cue, cue for, right on cue, take your cue from somebody/something | 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… |
| Antonyms | distraction, misdirection | confusion, ambiguity |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'cue' with 'queue' which means a line of people., Using 'cues' instead of 'cue' when referring to a single signal., Mispronouncing 'cue' as 'kyoo' instead of 'kwu' in some dialects. | Confused with 'indicate' as a verb., Using 'indication' without a clear object or context., Mixing up 'indication' with similar-sounding words like 'indecision'. |
| Usage notes | Use 'cue' when referring to signals, especially in performances or sports. Avoid using it in overly casual conversations. | 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. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Cue vs Indication
What's the difference between Cue and Indication?
Cue: A signal or reminder to do something. Indication: A sign or suggestion that something is true or might happen.
Which is more common: Cue and Indication?
Indication is the most common in everyday English.
Are Cue and Indication the same CEFR level?
Cue: B2, Indication: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Cue and Indication?
Cue: noun, Indication: noun.
Can you show an example of each?
Cue: He gave me a subtle cue to start the presentation. Indication: The sudden drop in temperature is an indication that a storm is approaching.
Can I use Cue and Indication interchangeably?
Not always. Cue and Indication 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.