What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
indicating
Example
The red light on the dashboard is indicating that the car needs an oil change. [indicating: verb]
Example
The dark clouds are indicating that it might rain soon. [indicating: present participle]
denoting
Example
The word 'cat' is denoting a furry, four-legged animal with whiskers and sharp claws. [denoting: present participle]
Example
The letter 'A' denotes the highest grade in the class. [denotes: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Indicating is more commonly used than denoting in everyday language. Indicating is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while denoting is more specific and often used in academic or technical writing.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between indicating and denoting?
Denoting is typically associated with a more formal or technical tone, while indicating is neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
