are instructive of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are instructive of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something provides guidance or information about a particular subject or situation. Example: "The results of the study are instructive of the potential impacts of climate change on local ecosystems."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

These outcomes are not considered realistic, since they ignore temperature related mortality, but are instructive of changing rates of recovery over time.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The rhetorical onslaught of each is instructive of the method.

The Guardian - Books

But the way their shows are presented is instructive of what the fringe is becoming.

The Guardian

"The way he treated authority figures is instructive of the way he would likely have treated Rosie," Atmore said.

The Guardian

Rowe is instructive of how plainly to the left of New Labour a good Conservative can stand.

The Guardian

Yet all were instructive of an institution which is improved, sometimes impressively non-partisan, but still liable to disappoint.The main determinant of a strong committee is its chairman.

The Economist

It's a relationship of respect that cuts two ways, and is instructive of Merrick's man management, and the culture he tries to instil at his clubs.

The Guardian - Sport

Lowy's support is instructive of the relationship between he and Gallop, as Lowy's instinctive reaction would have been to go for an international 'big name'.

The Guardian - Sport

And it was instructive of the charm that has compounded Katherine Grainger's status, as darling of this regatta, that the glory they shared here yesterday was as much a matter of parity as synchronicity.

Independent

To some extent, Mr. Baer and other experts said, the experience with the slightly older business-to-consumer exchanges is instructive of antitrust issues confronting the business-to-business marketplace.

The New York Times

Hemant Taneja, MD of General Catalyst Partners, says that Baremetrics is instructive of the kinds of investments GC will be making.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are instructive of", ensure that the subject clearly provides valuable information or insight about the object. This phrase works best when highlighting a specific lesson or understanding gained from something.

Common error

Avoid using "are instructive of" in casual or informal writing. It sounds overly formal and can be replaced with simpler alternatives like "show" or "explain" for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are instructive of" functions as a linking verb phrase, connecting a subject with a description of its informative quality. It asserts that the subject offers valuable insights or lessons about a particular topic, as illustrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

6%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are instructive of" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase, although its frequency is relatively rare. It serves to highlight the informative or enlightening nature of a subject, indicating that it offers valuable lessons or insights. As the Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is best suited for formal and scientific contexts, where its deliberate and considered tone aligns with analytical or informative communication. While alternatives like "are informative about" or "provide insight into" exist, "are instructive of" maintains a distinct emphasis on the educational value derived from the subject. Its usage is distributed across science, news and media, and formal business contexts, marking it as a versatile but formal choice for conveying the insightful properties of something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are informative about

This alternative directly substitutes "instructive" with "informative", keeping the core meaning unchanged but with a slightly different emphasis.

are indicative of

This alternative suggests that something serves as a sign or signal of something else.

provide insight into

This option uses a different verb ("provide" instead of "are") and noun ("insight" instead of "instructive"), offering a more active voice.

reveal the details of

Focuses on uncovering or disclosing specific information.

offer guidance on

This phrase shifts the focus to guidance rather than direct instruction, suggesting a more supportive role.

give an understanding of

Highlights the act of imparting comprehension.

shed light on

This is a more figurative expression, implying the clarification of a topic.

elucidate the nature of

A more formal and academic alternative, emphasizing clarification and explanation.

demonstrate the characteristics of

This option focuses on showcasing specific traits or qualities.

exemplify the properties of

Similar to 'demonstrate', but emphasizes the typical features or attributes.

FAQs

What does "are instructive of" mean?

The phrase "are instructive of" means that something provides knowledge, information, or insight about a particular subject or situation. It indicates that you can learn something valuable from it.

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

You can use "are instructive of" to highlight the informative nature of something. For example, "The findings of the study are instructive of the challenges faced by small businesses."

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

You can use alternatives like "are informative about", "provide insight into", or "offer guidance on" depending on the context.

Is "are instructive of" formal or informal?

The phrase "are instructive of" is considered relatively formal and is more appropriate for academic, scientific, or professional writing. Simpler alternatives may be preferred in informal contexts.