Cool MateIndication vs That was not the signal
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Indication
Top 1,000 (very common)B2noun
That was not the signal
Top 5,000 (fairly common)
Most common: Indication
| Indication | That was not the signal | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌɪndɪˈkeɪʃn/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌɪndɪˈkeɪʃn/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ðæt wəz nɒt ðə ˈsɪgnəl//🇺🇸 //ðæt wəz nɑt ðə ˈsɪɡnəl// |
| Meaning | A sign or suggestion that something is true or might happen. | A sign that tells you to do something. |
| Example | The sudden drop in temperature is an indication that a storm is approaching. | When the light turned red, I realized that was not the signal to go. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | 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… | send a signal, receive a signal, clear signal, mixed signal, non-verbal signal |
| Antonyms | confusion, ambiguity | - |
| 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'. | Confusing with 'That was not the sign', which is less specific., Using in overly formal contexts where simpler phrases would be better., Neglecting to specify what the signal was if implying context. |
| 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. | This phrase is used when you want to indicate that something did not give a clear instruction or indication. It can be used in various contexts, such as communication or reactions. |
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Frequently asked questions: Indication vs That was not the signal
What's the difference between Indication and That was not the signal?
Indication: A sign or suggestion that something is true or might happen. That was not the signal: A sign that tells you to do something.
Which is more common: Indication and That was not the signal?
Indication is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Indication: The sudden drop in temperature is an indication that a storm is approaching. That was not the signal: When the light turned red, I realized that was not the signal to go.
Can I use Indication and That was not the signal interchangeably?
Not always. Indication and That was not the 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.