Reflective of

USAGE SUMMARY

"reflective of" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to indicate that something shows or represents a particular quality, characteristic, or situation. Example: "Her artwork is reflective of her experiences growing up in the city." Alternative expressions include "indicative of" and "representative of."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This isn't reflective of education; this is reflective of culture.

The Guardian

It becomes less reflective of the surroundings".

The New York Times - Travel

Further reflective of Oregon's unpredictability is race.

The New York Times

"It's symbolic – reflective of her personality.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

This was merely reflective of individual brilliance.

The Guardian - Sport

Now it's more reflective of Laslett's dream".

The Guardian

It's simple, reflective of ballet music.

The New York Times - Arts

Our commitments will be reflective of this".

The Guardian - Sport

Hardly reflective of the UK in 2016.

The Guardian - Film

It's reflective of the restorative approach.

The Guardian

Is this reflective of our society?

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reflective of" to clearly indicate that something accurately represents or mirrors a particular aspect, quality, or situation. For example, "The data is "reflective of" the current market trends."

Common error

Avoid using "reflective of" in overly complicated sentence structures where a simpler, more direct verb like 'shows' or 'indicates' would improve clarity. Overuse can make your writing sound convoluted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reflective of" typically functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that it represents or mirrors something else. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Reflective of" is a commonly used phrase that indicates something represents or mirrors something else. It is grammatically correct and versatile across various writing styles, as confirmed by Ludwig. While its usage is frequent in news and media, it's important to avoid overuse in overly complex sentences for clarity. Consider using simpler alternatives like "shows" or "indicates" where appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

indicative of

Changes the verb and preposition to convey a similar meaning of showing or suggesting something.

representative of

Uses a different adjective with a similar meaning of typifying or embodying something.

suggestive of

Employs an adjective that implies a hint or indirect indication of something.

demonstrative of

Indicates a clear and obvious display of something.

illustrative of

Uses an adjective that highlights how something serves as an example or explanation.

symbolic of

Conveys that something acts as a symbol or representation of something else.

mirroring

Uses a verb to show a direct resemblance or imitation.

in keeping with

Indicates that something is consistent or in harmony with something else.

consistent with

Suggests a state of agreement or compatibility.

in line with

Indicates that something aligns or corresponds with a particular standard or expectation.

FAQs

How can I use "reflective of" in a sentence?

"Reflective of" is used to show that something represents or mirrors something else. For example, "The artist's work is "reflective of" her personal experiences."

What's a formal alternative to "reflective of"?

A formal alternative to "reflective of" is "indicative of". For example, "The survey results are "indicative of" a broader trend."

Is it always necessary to use "reflective of", or can I use a simpler word?

In many cases, you can use simpler words like "shows", "represents", or "indicates" for greater clarity. The choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality. In some cases it is possible to reword your sentence.

What's the difference between "reflective of" and "representative of"?

"Reflective of" suggests a mirroring or accurate portrayal, while "representative of" implies that something is a typical example or sample. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize mirroring or typicality.