Topic 13: Indicators – examples
Reason Indicators:
because… | She must have left, because her car isn’t here. One must presume that Al Qaeda lacks nuclear and biological warfare capability, because if it had such weapons, it would have used them by now. Note, however, that ‘because’ is not always an (evidential) reason indicator. It very often signals an explanation, as in: She left because she was tired. |
follows from… | The fact that she doesn’t care about me follows from her insolence. The decrepitude of our taxation system follows from the fact thatstrawberry milkshakes are taxed at a different rate to chocolate milkshakes. It follows from the low number of participants that the survey is not very reliable. |
is demonstrated by… | This shape is definitely a circle. This is demonstrated by the fact that every point in its perimeter is equidistant from this central point. |
may be inferred from… | Peter is married, which may be inferred from his wearing a wedding ring. |
for… | The murder of the taxi driver must have been planned, for in Melbourne people don’t normally carry guns. |
in view of… | The security officer must have stolen the diamonds, in view of the fact that only she had access to the safe. In view of the fact that the nation state is a modern invention, it is ridiculous to speak of Greeks and Turks at 700 BC. |
since… | My car is reliable, since I bought it new only three months ago. Note, however, that ‘since’ often refers to a temporal duration: Ever since I bought it, my car has been reliable. Another example: Since you are a strict vegetarian, you should not eat this pie. c.f. Since you became vegetarian you haven’t eaten this kind of pie. |
the reason being… | He cannot have fired this gun at 6.45, the reason being that he was already dead at 5.15. |
Objection Indicators:
but… | One might think that Shakespeare was Italian; but one doesn’t need to be Italian to write about Italy. |
although… | Although the oldest known fossil organisms were ocean dwellers, life may actually have developed in freshwater ponds. |
Conclusion Indicators:
accordingly… | She was in Rome at the time. Accordingly, she could not have burned the place in London. |
demonstrates… | Terry Lane’s description of our involvement in Gallipoli as a case of ‘not minding our own business’ demonstrates that he has no concept of what this sacrifice means to an increasing number of ordinary Australians. [Warren Mills] |
establishes… | The invective expressed about his mother in his diary establishes thathe wanted to kill her. |
implies… | Her silence implies that she knows more than she cares to admit. |
justifies… | The fact that all our monitoring equipment has failed to pick up anything justifies the belief that the ghost is a figment of Mrs. Muir’s imagination. |
means… | Pierre’s high temperature means that he has some sort of viral infection. |
shows… | The huge number of alcohol-related car accidents shows that the campaign against drink driving is a failure. |
suggests… | Clinical evidence from hundreds of trials suggests that this substance is carcinogenic. |
consequently… | According to our records he was already dead at 5.15,consequently he could not have fired the shot at 6.45. |
hence… | Mandy has more experience than Mindy in these matters, hence you should follow her advice rather than Mindy’s. |
so… | The sample size is too small, so you should not expect statistically reliable results. |
therefore… | Only couples have entered this room, therefore there must be an even number of people in it. |
thus… | Most people are ignorant of matters of state, thus democracy is a poor form of government. |
proves… | This film clearly shows you to be holding an animated discussion with Sir Rodney, which proves that you were lying when you denied knowing him. |
I conclude… | From the fact that Ross chaired the meeting I conclude that Charlie has resigned as chairman. |
infer… | From the color of this litmus paper we can infer that the substance is acidic. |
follows that… | As soon as one knows that any particular type of system is capable of emulating any cellular automaton, it immediately follows that there must be examples of that type of system that are universal. (c.f. follows from). |
See also: Topic Indicators