indications

IPA/ˌɪn.dɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/
KK[ˌɪndəkˈeʃənz]IPA/ˌɪn.dəˈkeɪ.ʃən/

indications — noun

  • indicationssingular
  • indicationsesplural

1. a piece of information or a signal that shows that something is true, exists, or

1.名詞B1
釋義

a piece of information or a signal that shows that something is true, exists, or will probably happen.

例句

Early 【indications suggest】 that the new treatment is helping patients recover faster.

indications + that-clause for reporting evidence

There are strong 【indications that】 the company plans to open a new factory in Vietnam.

strong indications + that-clause

同義詞
  • sign

    more general and everyday; an indication often requires more interpretation than a sign

  • clue

    suggests something that helps solve a problem or puzzle; more informal

  • hint

    suggests an indirect or subtle piece of evidence; often milder than indication

文法句型

there are indications that + clause

indications of + noun phrase

用法筆記

Frequently used in the plural form. Often appears in the fixed expression 'there are indications that…', which is common in news reports and scientific writing.

常見錯誤

❌GDP is a good indication of economic health.
✅GDP is a good indicator of economic health.
💡An 'indication' is the sign itself; an 'indicator' is the measure or variable that produces the sign.
❌The manager gave me indications about how to write the report.
✅The manager gave me suggestions / instructions about how to write the report.
💡People give suggestions or instructions; situations give indications.

2. a recommendation about what action to take, based on what a particular situation

2.名詞B2
釋義

a recommendation about what action to take, based on what a particular situation requires.

例句

The heavy rain was 【a clear indication that】 they should move the wedding indoors.

a clear indication that + should (suggested action)

When the engine began to overheat, that was 【an indication that】 the car needed an oil change.

indication + that-clause for necessary action

同義詞
  • recommendation

    more direct and personal; a recommendation comes from a person, whereas an indication comes from a situation

  • cue

    suggests a signal to begin a specific action; common in performance and theatre

  • signal

    stronger and more explicit; an indication is often subtler

文法句型

an indication that + clause (should/need to)

indication to + infinitive

用法筆記

Unlike sense 1 (SIGN / CLUE), this sense points toward a recommended course of action. The noun is usually singular. Common in formal contexts and in situations that call for a decision.

常見錯誤

❌The doctor's indication was to rest for a week.
✅The doctor's recommendation / advice was to rest for a week.
💡The medical-treatment meaning of 'indication' is highly specialized and not suitable for general learner use.

3. the act of showing, pointing to, or naming something so that it becomes known or

3.名詞C1
釋義

the act of showing, pointing to, or naming something so that it becomes known or recognized.

例句

【The indication of】 errors on the spreadsheet helped the team fix their data before the presentation.

indication of + noun (pointing out specific items)

For 【ease of indication】, each item on the list was given a number rather than a name.

for ease of indication — fixed formal phrase

同義詞
  • identification

    emphasizes knowing or recognizing; more specific than indication

  • specification

    suggests giving exact details; more technical and precise

文法句型

indication of + noun phrase

for indication of

用法筆記

This sense refers to the process or act of identifying something. It is the least common use of the word and is mostly restricted to formal writing and academic contexts. The plural form is not normally used here.

常見錯誤

❌Her indication of the correct answer was helpful.' (acceptable but awkward)
✅Her identification / pointing out of the correct answer was helpful.
💡In everyday English, 'indication' sounds too formal for pointing things out; use simpler alternatives.