are indicative of

USAGE SUMMARY

"are indicative of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something is representative of something else. For example: “The rising temperatures are indicative of climate change.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

-What symptoms are indicative of the disease?

The New York Times

The deals are indicative of three trends at once.

The New York Times

The two upcoming productions are indicative of both.

The Guardian

"Birds are indicative of other things," Gillings says.

The Guardian

Higher levels of this are indicative of prostate cancer.

The Guardian

Depleted δD values are indicative of increasing amounts of rainfall127.

Nature

Investments such as these are indicative of a strong economy.

The Washington Post

Scores of 23 or lower are indicative of cognitive impairment.

Stanford University

Finally our results are indicative of significant discrimination against girls.

Princeton University

Larger AUC values are indicative of increased drug exposure.

Nature

These results are indicative of good scaffold biocompatibility.

Materials Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are indicative of" to clearly establish a link between an observation or data point and its underlying meaning or cause. This phrase is particularly useful in analytical writing where you need to draw conclusions from evidence.

Common error

While "are indicative of" is appropriate for formal and analytical writing, avoid overusing it in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "show" or "suggest" often sound more natural in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are indicative of" functions as a linking phrase, connecting a set of observations, data, or symptoms to an underlying condition, trend, or characteristic. As Ludwig AI shows, it's common in contexts requiring analytical reasoning.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

53%

News & Media

28%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are indicative of" serves as a robust linking phrase commonly found in analytical writing. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively connects observations to underlying meanings across scientific, academic, and news contexts. While grammatically correct and highly useful for establishing relationships of representation, it's best reserved for formal or semi-formal settings. For more casual communication, consider simpler alternatives like "suggest" or "point to". Remember, the phrase signals a link between evidence and a conclusion, but avoid overusing it in everyday speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are signs of

This alternative focuses on the observable aspects that suggest an underlying condition.

are representative of

This alternative emphasizes the aspect of standing as a typical example.

suggest

This alternative is shorter and more direct, implying a hint rather than a strong indication.

point to

This alternative evokes a sense of direction or focus toward a specific conclusion.

demonstrate

This alternative implies a clearer and more convincing display of evidence.

constitute evidence of

This alternative is more formal and legalistic, suggesting a formal proof.

signal

This alternative conveys a sense of warning or alerting to a particular condition.

bespeak

This alternative conveys a sense of revealing or expressing something indirectly.

imply

This alternative is less direct, suggesting a meaning without explicitly stating it.

betoken

This alternative is archaic and literary, suggesting a foreshadowing or omen.

FAQs

How can I use "are indicative of" in a sentence?

Use "are indicative of" to show that certain signs or results point to a specific condition or outcome. For example, "These results "are indicative of" a strong economy".

What can I say instead of "are indicative of"?

You can use alternatives like "suggest", "point to", or "demonstrate" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "are indicative of" in writing?

It is best used in formal or analytical writing to clearly establish a connection between evidence and a conclusion. It's suitable when you want to highlight that something serves as a sign or signal of something else.

Is "are indicative of" the same as "are evidence of"?

While similar, "are indicative of" implies a suggestion or hint, whereas "are evidence of" suggests a stronger, more conclusive proof. Choose the phrase that best matches the strength of the connection you want to convey.