What is indication? Pronunciation and usage in English

indication means . Learn how to pronounce and use indication through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of indication

indicationnoun

/ˌɪndɪˈkeɪʃn/
Definition & pronunciation of indication

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "indication." It can be tricky for some English speakers! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and accepted pronunciation is:

  • /ˌɪndɪˈkeɪʃən/ (IPA - International Phonetic Alphabet)

Let's break that down syllable by syllable:

  1. in-di-: Sounds like "in-dee" (as in "inside"). The "i" is pronounced like the "ee" in "see."

  2. -ca-: This is the trickiest part. It sounds like "kuh." It's not like the "ca" in "cat." Think of it like the "k" in "kick."

  3. -tion: This sounds like "shun." Like the "shun" in "sun."

Putting it all together: In-dee-kuh-shun

Tips and Common Mistakes:

  • Don't say "ick": Many people mistakenly pronounce it like "indick-ay-shun." Resist this!
  • The "tion" sound: Really focus on that "shun" sound at the end.
  • Stress: The stress is on the third syllable ("ca"). That's why it's "in-di-ca-shun."

Resources for Hearing it:

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you some example sentences using the word "indication"?

Usage and examples with the word indication in English

Let's break down how to use the word "indication" in English. It's a versatile word with a few different meanings, so understanding the context is key.

1. As a Noun (Most Common Usage): A Sign or Hint

  • Meaning: An indication is a clue, a sign, or a hint that suggests something is true or likely to be true. It’s a piece of evidence pointing towards a particular outcome.

  • Examples:

    • "The dark clouds were an indication of an approaching storm." (A sign of rain)
    • "His slumped shoulders were an indication of his sadness." (A clue to his emotional state)
    • "The rising sales figures are an indication of increasing demand for the product." (Evidence of growing popularity)
    • "She gave me a hesitant smile, which was an indication that she wasn’t entirely comfortable." (A subtle sign of feeling)

2. In Medical Contexts: A Sign of Disease or Condition

  • Meaning: In medicine, an “indication” refers to a reason for prescribing a particular treatment or performing a specific medical procedure. It’s a diagnosis or a symptom suggesting a condition needs attention.

  • Examples:

    • "The patient's fever was an indication of an infection." (A symptom suggesting illness)
    • “Antibiotics are an indication for this bacterial infection.” (A reason for prescribing medication).
    • “The specialist requested a blood test as an indication to determine the cause of his symptoms.” (A reason for performing a test).

3. As a Verb (Less Common): To Suggest or Point Out

  • Meaning: To “indicate” means to show, point out, or signal something. It implies a deliberate act of revealing or drawing attention to something.

  • Examples:

    • "The map indicated the location of the hidden waterfall." (The map showed the location)
    • “The financial report indicated a significant profit increase.” (The report showed the profitability)
    • "He indicated his agreement with a nod." (He showed his agreement by nodding.)

Key Differences & Nuances:

  • Indication vs. Suggestion: “Indication” is generally stronger than “suggestion.” An indication is more concrete and provides more evidence. "Suggestion" is more of a gentle hint.

  • Indication vs. Symptom: A symptom is a sign of an illness, while an indication can be any sign, not necessarily related to health.

  • Indication vs. Signal: A signal is a clear and distinct message. An indication can be more subtle.

Here's a table to summarise:

Usage Meaning Example
Noun Sign, clue, hint "The silence was an indication of disagreement."
Medical Reason for treatment "Surgery is an indication for this tumor."
Verb To show, point out "The arrow indicated the way."

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What context are you thinking of using "indication" in? (e.g., a story, a report, a conversation?)

Synonyms for the word indication

Practice with vocabulary indication

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The latest sales figures provide a clear ______ that consumer confidence is improving.
  2. The flickering lights were a definite ______ that there was a problem with the electrical wiring.
  3. Her sudden resignation gave us no ______ of her true intentions.
  4. His subtle ______ was that we should re-evaluate the entire project timeline.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (there may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. The CEO's recent public statements were a strong ______ of the company's future direction. a) signal b) symptom c) indication d) prophecy

  2. The project manager's detailed report provided a comprehensive ______ of the progress made this quarter. a) assessment b) estimation c) appraisal d) suggestion

  3. Her body language during the negotiation gave a clear ______ of her discomfort with the terms. a) display b) sign c) indication d) manifestation

  4. The increasing number of customer complaints is a troubling ______ that our service quality is declining. a) finding b) clue c) indication d) suggestion

  5. The board members discussed the various ______ of the new policy during their meeting. a) ramifications b) consequences c) implications d) inferences

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The early data suggests that the new marketing strategy is performing well. (Rewrite using "indication")

  2. His lack of response to the email was a clear signal that he disapproved. (Rewrite using a related form of "indication")

  3. We need to identify the subtle signs of resistance among the team members. (Rewrite using a suitable replacement for "signs")

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. indication
  2. sign
  3. indication
  4. implication

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. a) signal, c) indication
  2. a) assessment, c) appraisal
  3. b) sign, c) indication, d) manifestation
  4. b) clue, c) indication
  5. a) ramifications, b) consequences, c) implications

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The early data provides an indication that the new marketing strategy is performing well.
  2. His lack of response to the email was clearly indicative of his disapproval.
  3. We need to identify the subtle manifestations of resistance among the team members.

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