are symptomatic of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are symptomatic of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is a sign or indication of a particular condition or situation. Example: "The rising unemployment rates are symptomatic of deeper economic issues that need to be addressed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Euphemisms are symptomatic of shame".

The New York Times - Books

It's what they are symptomatic of.

The New Yorker

Beds are symptomatic of a problem".

The Guardian

They are symptomatic of a larger cultural issue.

The New York Times

These verbal attacks are symptomatic of his authoritarian tendencies.

The Guardian

They are symptomatic of a deep failure of politics.

The New York Times

Both are symptomatic of our culture's deep investment in minimising and normalising sexual assault.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mr. Pickens's struggles are symptomatic of a broader reversal of fortune for wind developers.

The New York Times

And they are symptomatic of an economy that is out of sorts.

The Guardian - Business

The problems at the Maracanã are symptomatic of wider concerns about Brazil's World Cup preparations.

The Guardian - Sport

Sadly, these gaffes are symptomatic of Maguire's often shaky grasp of details.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are symptomatic of", ensure the connection between the symptom and the underlying issue is clear to the reader. Provide context to support the relationship.

Common error

Avoid using "are symptomatic of" when the connection is weak or speculative. Overstating the connection can weaken your argument and mislead the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are symptomatic of" functions as a linking verb phrase that connects a subject to a predicate adjective or noun phrase indicating that the subject serves as a sign or indication of something else. This usage is confirmed by Ludwig AI which validates the phrase's grammatical correctness and typical usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are symptomatic of" is a versatile expression used to indicate that certain observable issues point towards a deeper, underlying condition. As validated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts, particularly within news and media. While alternatives like "are indicative of" and "are reflective of" exist, "are symptomatic of" often carries a connotation of an underlying problem. Therefore, it's crucial to ensure the connection between the symptom and the underlying issue is clear to the reader. Remember to avoid overstating the significance when the connection is weak or speculative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are indicative of

Replaces "symptomatic" with "indicative", suggesting something serves as a sign or indication.

are reflective of

Changes "symptomatic" to "reflective", implying something mirrors or represents a quality or condition.

are representative of

Substitutes "symptomatic" with "representative", meaning something exemplifies or is typical of a larger group or condition.

are suggestive of

Uses "suggestive" in place of "symptomatic", indicating something hints at or implies a particular condition.

are demonstrative of

Replaces "symptomatic" with "demonstrative", suggesting something clearly shows or proves a particular condition.

are evidence of

Changes "symptomatic" to "evidence", meaning something serves as proof or indication of a condition.

are signs of

Uses "signs" instead of "symptomatic", indicating something serves as an observable indication.

are manifestations of

Replaces "symptomatic" with "manifestations", meaning something is an outward or tangible expression of a condition.

are born out of

Indicates an origin or cause for a specific result; less direct than indicating a symptom, focusing on origin.

are a consequence of

Shifts focus to a cause-and-effect relationship, where the result is a natural outcome of the cause, not necessarily a symptom.

FAQs

How to use "are symptomatic of" in a sentence?

Use "are symptomatic of" to indicate that certain observable issues are indicative of a deeper, underlying problem. For example, "The increasing number of customer complaints "are symptomatic of" a decline in product quality".

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

You can use alternatives like "are indicative of", "are reflective of", or "are representative of" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "are symptomatic of" and "are indicative of"?

"Are symptomatic of" often implies a problem or negative condition, whereas "are indicative of" is more neutral and simply suggests something is a sign or indication. Both phrases can be used interchangeably but be mindful of the connotation.

Can "are symptomatic of" be used for positive situations?

While "are symptomatic of" is typically used for negative situations, it's possible to use it in a positive context if the underlying condition is seen as desirable. For example, "The high employee retention rates "are symptomatic of" a positive work environment".