Cool MateClues vs Evidence vs Indicator vs Signal vs Suggestion
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Clues
Top 2,000 (common)
Evidence
Top 1,000 (very common)A2noun
Indicator
Top 1,000 (very common)C1noun
Signal
Top 1,000 (very common)B1noun
Suggestion
Top 2,000 (common)A2noun
| Clues | Evidence | Indicator | Signal | Suggestion | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //kluːz//🇺🇸 //kluːz// | 🇬🇧 //ˈɛvɪdəns//🇺🇸 //ˈɛvɪdəns// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈɪndɪkeɪtə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈɪndɪkeɪtər/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈsɪɡnəl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈsɪɡnəl/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/səˈdʒestʃən/"]/🇺🇸 /["/səˈdʒestʃən//səɡˈdʒestʃən/"]/ |
| Meaning | Hints that help you solve a problem or mystery. | Proof or information that shows something is true. | Something that shows or points out a condition or situation. | A sign or message that tells someone something. | An idea that you give to someone about what they could do. |
| Example | The detective found several useful clues at the scene of the crime. | The detective found important evidence at the crime scene. | The economic indicators are better than expected. | The radio signal was weak, making it difficult to hear the news. | I have a suggestion for our next project that I believe will improve our results. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | A2 | C1 | B1 | A2 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun | noun | noun | |
| Collocations | give clues, follow clues, find clues, provide clues, search for clues | provide evidence, gather evidence, in court as evidence | accurate, good, reliable, be, serve as, provide (somebody with), point to something, show something, suggest something, indicator for | clear, unmistakable, agreed, give (somebody), make, send, come from something, indicate something, at a signal, on a signal, signal for, railroad, railway, traffic, operate, be on red/green, be red/green, fail, box, failure, faint, weak, strong, carry, pass, relay, travel, fade, intensity, strength, signal from, signal to, clear, unmistakable, agreed, give (somebody), make, send, come from something, indicate something, at a signal, on a signal, signal for | constructive, excellent, good, have, come up with, give somebody, box, at the suggestion of, suggestion about, suggestion as to, amid suggestions that…, be open to suggestion, be open to suggestions, constructive, excellent, good, have, come up with, give somebody, box, at the suggestion of, suggestion about, suggestion as to, amid suggestions that…, be open to suggestion, be open to suggestions, implicit, hypnotic, by suggestion, through suggestion, the power of suggestion, faint, mere, slightest, carry, have, at the suggestion of, suggestion of |
| Antonyms | obscurity, mystery | doubt, disbelief, uncertainty | misleading sign, confusion | noise, silence | disapproval, rejection |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'clue' as singular with 'clues' as plural., Using 'clues' in non-mystery contexts without proper explanation., Mixing 'clue' with unrelated terms like evidence. | Confusing 'evidence' with 'advise' which has a different meaning., Using 'evidences' as a plural form, which is incorrect., Mixing up 'evidence' with 'evidence of' when describing specific proof. | Confusing 'indicator' with 'indicator light' which is a more specific term., Using 'indicate' as a noun instead of 'indicator'., Mistaking it for a verb and using it incorrectly in sentences. | Confused with 'sign' — remember 'signal' is an act of sending a message., Using the wrong preposition, e.g., 'signal to' instead of 'signal for'., Mispronunciation, often saying 'sig-nal' instead of 'sig-nuhl'. | Using 'suggestion' when a more forceful term like 'order' is needed., Confusing 'suggestion' with 'suggestive,' which has a different meaning., Saying 'give a suggestion' instead of 'make a suggestion.' |
| Usage notes | Use 'clues' in contexts like solving puzzles or mysteries. Avoid in formal writing without proper context. | Used in formal contexts like court or research. Avoid in casual conversations unless specifically discussing proof. | Used in both formal and informal contexts to refer to signs or signals of something. Avoid using in overly casual speech. | Commonly used in both formal and informal contexts. In technical settings, it may refer to electromagnetic signals or communication. Avoid in very casual conversations. | Use 'suggestion' in both casual and formal contexts. It’s appropriate when offering advice or ideas but should be avoided in situations requiring direct commands or instructions. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Clues vs Evidence vs Indicator vs Signal vs Suggestion
What's the difference between Clues, Evidence, Indicator, Signal, and Suggestion?
Clues: Hints that help you solve a problem or mystery. Evidence: Proof or information that shows something is true. Indicator: Something that shows or points out a condition or situation. Signal: A sign or message that tells someone something. Suggestion: An idea that you give to someone about what they could do.
Which is more advanced: Clues, Evidence, Indicator, Signal, and Suggestion?
Indicator is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
Clues: The detective found several useful clues at the scene of the crime. Evidence: The detective found important evidence at the crime scene. Indicator: The economic indicators are better than expected. Signal: The radio signal was weak, making it difficult to hear the news. Suggestion: I have a suggestion for our next project that I believe will improve our results.
Can I use Clues, Evidence, Indicator, Signal, and Suggestion interchangeably?
Not always. Clues, Evidence, Indicator, Signal, and Suggestion 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.