lundi 12 mai 2014

Notes on usage: Sign

Indication  -  Symptom  -  Symbol  -  Indicator  -  Signal

 

These are all words for an event, action or fact that shows that sth exists, is happening or may happen in the future.

 

Sign an event, action or fact that shows that sth exists, is happening or may happen in the future: Headaches may be a sign of stress.
Indication (rather formal) a remark or sign that shows that sth is happening or what sb is thinking or feeling: They gave no indication as to how the work should be done.
Symptom a change in your body or mind that shows that you are not healthy; a sign that sth exists, especially sth bad: Symptoms include a sore throat. | The rise in inflation was just one symptom of the poor state of the economy.
Symbol a person, object or event that represents a more general quality or situation: The dove is a universal symbol of peace.
Indicator (rather formal) a sign that shows you what sth is like or how a situation is changing: The economic indicators
Signal an event, action or fact that shows that sth exists, is happening or may happen in the future: Chest pains can be a warning signal of heart problems.

 

SIGN OR INDICATION?
An indication often comes in the form of sth that sb says; a sign is usually sth that happens or sth that sb does.

SIGN OR SIGNAL?
Signal is often used to talk about an event, action or fact that suggests to sb that they should do sth. Sign is not usually used in this way: Reducing prison sentences would send the wrong signs to criminals.

 

PATTERNS
*a(n) sign/indication/symptom/symbol/indicator/signal of sth
*a(n) sign/indication/symptom/indicator/signal that...
*a clear sign/indication/symptom/symbol/indicator/ signal
*an obvious sign/indication/symptom/symbol/ indicator
*an early sign/indication/symptom/indicator/signal
*an outward sign/indication/symbol
*to give a(n) sign/indication/signal

 

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Top Tips Abz Ingles - Notes on usage - Synonyms
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See also:

Common Phrasal Verbs Irregular Verbs List
Common Sentences Errors Frequently confused words
Common Clichés Thematic list of Idioms
Common misspellings Phrasal Verbs Particles list
Common Preposition Lista de Términos Gramaticales

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