are representative of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'are representative of' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to signify that something is a typical example, or symbol, of something else. For example, "The students' enthusiasm and hard work are representative of the wider community spirit."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"They are representative of the company, right?

The New York Times

The pictures are representative of horseness.

The Guardian - Books

Ziller's ideas are representative of the Herbartians.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Nets are representative of all of New Jersey.

The New York Times - Sports

"And it, and the characters, are representative of that time.

The Guardian

All of them are representative of me – especially Irving Forbush.

The Guardian - Tech

They are representative of a wider trend within our industry.

The Guardian

Your correspondents are representative of all parts of Britain.

Independent

Results are representative of three independent experiments.

Protein & Cell

Data are representative of three independent experiments.

Protein & Cell

The results are representative of triplicates.

Protein & Cell

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If you describe experiments results, it can be beneficial to mention explicitly the number of experiments the results are representative of, as it shows rigor in your analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "are representative of" when you only have a limited sample size or when the evidence is anecdotal. It's important to have sufficient data to support the claim that something is truly representative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are representative of" functions as a linking verb phrase, connecting a subject to a predicate adjective that describes the subject's nature as being typical or illustrative of a larger group or concept. Ludwig AI confirms its proper grammatical structure.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

61%

News & Media

27%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are representative of" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to indicate that something is a typical example or symbol of a larger group or concept. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans across various domains, including science, news media, and encyclopedias. When writing, it's important to avoid overgeneralization and ensure your sample accurately reflects the larger group you are describing. Related phrases like "are typical of" or "exemplify" can serve as alternatives depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are typical of

Replaces "representative" with "typical" maintaining the same meaning with a more common adjective.

are characteristic of

Focuses on distinctive traits that define a group or category.

exemplify

This is a shorter, more direct verb that conveys the idea of being a typical example.

are indicative of

Emphasizes the role of the subject as a sign or signal of something else.

are a symbol of

Highlights the symbolic nature of the subject, denoting a deeper meaning.

serve as an example of

Explicitly states the role of the subject as an illustrative case.

are a hallmark of

Implies that the subject is a distinctive and recognizable feature.

are demonstrative of

Focuses on how something shows or proves something else is the case.

constitute a sample of

Indicates that the subject is a subset chosen to reflect a larger group.

mirror

Expresses the reflection of a larger trend or group without necessarily being exactly "representative".

FAQs

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

You can use "are representative of" to indicate that something is a typical example or a symbol of something else. For example, "The survey results "are representative of" the general population's views".

What are some alternatives to "are representative of"?

Alternatives include "are typical of", "exemplify", or "are indicative of" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "are very representative of"?

While not strictly incorrect, adding "very" to "are representative of" can be redundant. "Representative" already implies a strong degree of typicality, so using "very" may not add significant meaning. Consider using a stronger alternative phrase instead.

What's the difference between "are representative of" and "are examples of"?

"Are examples of" simply indicates that something is one of many instances. "Are representative of" implies that the examples are typical and accurately reflect a larger group or concept. So "are representative of" suggests that the sample is a typical subset of a bigger population.