Explanation at your level:
When you indicate something, you show it. If you point at a map, you indicate the city. You use this word to help people understand where things are.
You can use indicate to show that something is true. For example, if a sign says 'Stop,' it indicates that you must stop your car. It is a helpful word for explaining signs and signals.
In this level, you start using indicate to talk about evidence. If you see dark clouds, they indicate that it might rain soon. It is a great alternative to the word 'show' when you want to sound more professional.
At this stage, you will use indicate in reports and formal discussions. It is often used to show that data supports a theory. Remember that it is more formal than 'show' or 'point out,' so keep it for essays and business meetings.
Advanced learners use indicate to express subtle connections between facts. It is frequently used in passive constructions, such as 'It has been indicated that...' to maintain an objective tone. It helps you build a logical argument by showing how evidence leads to a specific conclusion.
Mastery of indicate involves understanding its nuances in academic and literary contexts. It can signify a subtle hint or a strong proof depending on the context. Its etymological roots in 'proclaiming' allow for its use in formal declarations where one must indicate their stance on a complex issue with precision and authority.
Palabra en 30 segundos
- Indicate means to show or point out.
- It is a formal verb used in academic and professional contexts.
- It is often used with data, trends, and signs.
- The noun form is indication.
Think of indicate as a way of pointing without necessarily using your finger. When something indicates a fact, it acts like a signpost in the middle of a forest, directing you toward the truth. It is a very useful word because it covers both physical actions, like a turn signal on a car, and abstract concepts, like data showing a trend.
In a classroom or office, you will hear this word constantly. If a study indicates that coffee is good for you, it means the researchers found evidence to support that claim. It is slightly more formal than 'show,' which makes it a favorite for essays and professional emails.
The word indicate comes to us from the Latin word indicare, which is a combination of in- (meaning 'into' or 'towards') and dicare (meaning 'to proclaim' or 'to make known'). It is a cousin to the word 'dictate' or 'dictionary.'
Historically, it was used to describe the act of pointing out or making something public. Over centuries, it evolved from simply 'declaring' something to 'serving as a sign' of something else. It is fascinating how the core idea of 'pointing' has remained the heart of the word for over a thousand years.
You should use indicate when you want to sound precise and objective. It is most common in formal registers like academic papers, news reports, or technical manuals. For example, you might say, 'The red light indicates that the battery is low.'
Avoid using it in very casual conversation, as it can sound a bit stiff. Instead of saying 'He indicated he was hungry,' you would likely just say 'He showed he was hungry' or 'He let me know he was hungry.' It is all about choosing the right tool for the right situation!
While 'indicate' itself is not a core part of many idioms, it is often used in set phrases:
- Indicate a preference: To state what you want.
- Indicate a willingness: To show you are ready to do something.
- As indicated above: A common way to refer back to previous text.
- Indicate the way: To lead or show the path.
- Indicate clearly: To leave no room for doubt.
The word indicate is a regular verb. Its forms are: indicate (base), indicates (third-person singular), indicated (past tense), and indicating (present participle). It is often followed by a 'that' clause, such as 'The data indicates that the results are positive.'
Pronunciation: In British and American English, the stress is on the first syllable: IN-di-cate. It rhymes with words like 'vindicate' and 'syndicate.' Be careful not to swallow the 'i' sounds in the middle; keep it crisp and clear.
Fun Fact
It shares a root with 'dictionary' because both involve making things known through language or signs.
Pronunciation Guide
Crisp first syllable, clear 'k' sound.
Slightly flatter 'a' sound at the end.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing 'c' as 's'
- Stress on the second syllable
- Dropping the final 't'
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Common in academic texts.
Useful for formal writing.
Used in professional settings.
Common in news/lectures.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Avanzado
Grammar to Know
Subject-Verb Agreement
The data indicates.
Formal Register
Use indicate instead of show.
Passive Voice
It is indicated.
Examples by Level
Please indicate the door.
show me the door
Verb + noun
The arrow indicates the way.
the arrow shows the direction
Subject + verb
He indicates his name.
he points to his name
Simple present
She indicates the color.
she points to the color
Simple present
The light indicates power.
the light shows it is on
Subject + verb
They indicate the map.
they point to the map
Subject + verb
Indicate your choice here.
show your choice here
Imperative
I indicate the answer.
I point to the answer
Simple present
The sign indicates the exit.
His smile indicates he is happy.
The map indicates the mountains.
Please indicate your preference.
The data indicates a trend.
The red light indicates danger.
She indicated the correct path.
The clock indicates the time.
The survey indicates a need for change.
His tone indicated he was angry.
The results indicate a success.
The report indicates a decline in sales.
Please indicate if you are attending.
The symptoms indicate a cold.
Can you indicate the main point?
The meter indicates the speed.
Studies indicate that exercise is good.
The evidence indicates a clear motive.
The graph indicates a steady rise.
He indicated his desire to leave.
The weather reports indicate a storm.
The figures indicate a profit margin.
Results indicate a strong correlation.
She indicated her agreement with a nod.
The findings indicate a paradigm shift.
The subtle clues indicate a hidden motive.
The silence indicated a deep tension.
The data clearly indicates a discrepancy.
The document indicates a legal obligation.
The research indicates potential side effects.
His hesitation indicated a lack of confidence.
The trends indicate a long-term change.
The historical records indicate a different truth.
The subtle irony indicated his true feelings.
The findings indicate a multifaceted problem.
The evidence indicates a systemic failure.
The artistic style indicates the era.
The patterns indicate a complex origin.
The data indicates an anomaly in the system.
The results indicate a profound impact.
Sinónimos
Antónimos
Colocaciones comunes
Idioms & Expressions
"indicate by"
To show through a specific method
He indicated by a nod that he agreed.
neutral"indicate as"
To label or define
The map indicates this area as a park.
formal"indicate to"
To signal to someone
She indicated to the waiter to come over.
neutral"as indicated"
As previously shown
As indicated, the deadline is Friday.
formal"indicate the contrary"
To show the opposite
Nothing indicates the contrary.
formal"indicate interest"
To show you want to participate
Did you indicate interest in the job?
neutralEasily Confused
Both mean to display
Indicate is formal, show is general
The graph indicates (formal) / shows (general) the data.
Both involve signs
Signal is often for communication
He signaled (communicated) / indicated (showed) his intent.
Both formal
Denote is for labels/symbols
The map denotes (labels) the park; the data indicates (shows) growth.
Both formal
Signify is for deeper meaning
The color signifies (means) royalty; the light indicates (shows) power.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + indicates + that + clause
The data indicates that we are growing.
Subject + indicates + noun
The light indicates a problem.
It is indicated that + clause
It is indicated that results are final.
Subject + indicates + [prep] + noun
He indicated with a nod.
Subject + indicates + preference
Please indicate your preference.
Familia de palabras
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Relacionado
How to Use It
8/10
Formality Scale
Errores comunes
Indicate is usually for data or signs.
Avoid unnecessary indirect objects.
Indicate does not take a direct person object.
It sounds too formal for slang.
Indicate is only a verb.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine a giant finger pointing at a book.
Professionalism
Use it in emails to sound smart.
Academic Tone
It is a staple of university essays.
Verb Patterns
Follow it with 'that' clause.
Clear Vowels
Don't skip the 'i' sounds.
Avoid Direct Objects
Don't indicate people.
Latin Roots
It comes from 'dicare' (to proclaim).
Flashcards
Pair it with 'data' and 'trend'.
Variety
Use it to avoid repeating 'show'.
Confidence
Use it when presenting data.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
IN-DI-CATE: I Need DIrections, CATE!
Visual Association
A bright red arrow pointing at a graph.
Word Web
Desafío
Try to use 'indicate' in your next email instead of 'show'.
Origen de la palabra
Latin
Original meaning: To point out or proclaim
Contexto cultural
None, it is a neutral, professional word.
Used heavily in academic and professional settings to sound objective.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
at school/work
- The study indicates
- Please indicate your availability
- The graph indicates
travel
- The sign indicates the way
- The board indicates the time
- Indicate the destination
data analysis
- The results indicate
- The trend indicates
- Figures indicate
formal communication
- Indicate your agreement
- As indicated above
- Indicate your interest
Conversation Starters
"What does your favorite color indicate about your personality?"
"Can you indicate a time that works for our meeting?"
"Do you think the current data indicates a change in the economy?"
"How do you indicate to someone that you are busy?"
"What signs indicate that spring is coming?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you had to indicate your choice in a difficult situation.
Describe a sign that indicates something important to you.
How do you indicate your feelings to others without speaking?
Why is it important to indicate your sources in an essay?
Preguntas frecuentes
8 preguntasYes, it is more formal than 'show'.
Usually, we use it for data or signs, not people.
Indication.
Yes, it ends in -ed for the past tense.
No, that is incorrect.
It can, but it is more abstract.
IN-di-cate.
Very common in academic writing.
Ponte a prueba
The sign ___ the way.
Indicates is the correct verb here.
Which means to show?
Indicate means to show.
Indicate is a noun.
It is a verb.
Word
Significado
Verb vs noun.
Subject verb object.
The results ___ a positive outcome.
Present tense verb.
Which is a synonym?
Denote is a synonym.
Indicate is informal.
It is formal.
Word
Significado
Parts of speech.
Standard sentence structure.
Puntuación: /10
Summary
Use 'indicate' when you want to sound precise and professional while showing evidence or pointing to a fact.
- Indicate means to show or point out.
- It is a formal verb used in academic and professional contexts.
- It is often used with data, trends, and signs.
- The noun form is indication.
Memory Palace
Imagine a giant finger pointing at a book.
Professionalism
Use it in emails to sound smart.
Academic Tone
It is a staple of university essays.
Verb Patterns
Follow it with 'that' clause.
Ejemplo
He gestured toward the door to indicate that the meeting was over.
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