are reflective of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are reflective of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something shows or demonstrates a particular quality, characteristic, or sentiment. Example: "The results of the survey are reflective of the community's concerns about public safety."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They are reflective of a reproduction of June 2008".

The Guardian

Those figures are reflective of the public as a whole.

The Guardian - Opinion

Our stories are reflective of Muslim communities across the country.

The Guardian - Opinion

And of course, books selected are reflective of the tastes of the judges.

The Guardian - Opinion

The statistics are reflective of Australia's human history, essentially one of successive waves of migration.

The Guardian

"It's not that sports no longer are reflective of our cultural values.

The New York Times - Sports

"I'm trying to find books and reviewers that are reflective of our readership," she said.

The New York Times

The beliefs and practices of the Brethren churches are reflective of their early influences.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There are elements in the movie that I would say are reflective of the politics in our relationship.

The New York Times

"Our customers are reflective of larger trends in the market.

TechCrunch

Ultimately, viable candidates are reflective of the Democrats living in their district.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are reflective of" when you want to convey that something accurately represents or mirrors a particular aspect, quality, or sentiment. Ensure the context clearly establishes the link between the subject and what it reflects.

Common error

Avoid using "are reflective of" in overly convoluted sentences where simpler alternatives like "show" or "indicate" would provide greater clarity. Complex language can obscure the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are reflective of" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the subject by indicating that it mirrors, represents, or demonstrates certain qualities or characteristics. As Ludwig AI confirms, it shows a particular quality or characteristic.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are reflective of" is a versatile construction used to indicate that something accurately represents or mirrors certain attributes, sentiments, or characteristics. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and appropriate in a wide array of contexts. The phrase finds frequent application in news, science, and encyclopedic sources, signaling its utility in formal and neutral registers. While related phrases such as ""are indicative of"" or ""are representative of"" may serve as alternatives, choosing the most precise term depends on the intended nuance. When employing "are reflective of", ensure that the connection between the subject and the reflected quality is explicit and clear, avoiding convoluted sentence structures that may diminish clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are indicative of

Indicates a sign or symptom, suggesting a slightly more direct relationship.

are representative of

Suggests a selection that accurately portrays a larger group or concept.

are demonstrative of

Emphasizes the act of showing or proving something through the phrase.

are illustrative of

Focuses on providing a clear example or explanation.

are symbolic of

Highlights the use of something to stand for or represent something else.

are characteristic of

Indicates typical traits or features, implying a pattern rather than a direct reflection.

are suggestive of

Implies a hint or indirect indication, a weaker connection than direct reflection.

are a mirror of

Suggests a direct and faithful correspondence, similar to a literal reflection.

correspond to

Indicates an alignment or agreement, differing from a reflective relationship.

are evidence of

Indicates proof or confirmation, focusing on factual support rather than portrayal.

FAQs

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

Use "are reflective of" to indicate that something demonstrates or mirrors a particular quality or characteristic. For example, "The survey results "are reflective of" public opinion on the matter".

What are some alternatives to using "are reflective of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "are indicative of", "are representative of", or simply "show" or "indicate".

Is it better to say "are reflective of" or "reflect"?

The choice depends on the sentence structure. "Reflect" is a verb and requires a direct object, while "are reflective of" is a phrase that can act as a predicate adjective. For example, "The data reflect the trend" versus "The data "are reflective of" the trend".

What does it mean when something is "reflective of" something else?

When something is described as "reflective of" something else, it means it accurately represents or mirrors the qualities, characteristics, or nature of that other thing.