be indicative of

USAGE SUMMARY

"be indicative of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that provides an indication or suggestion of the existence of something else. For example, "The high unemployment rate in the city seemed to be indicative of economic decline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Past performance may not be indicative of future results.

The New York Times

The bidding price might well be indicative of preference for medium sized partners".

The Guardian

If you're thinking this song might be indicative of the album, however, you'll be sadly disappointed.

The Guardian

"I am fascinated with the way that color can be indicative of sentiment," he continued.

The New Yorker

But recycled spaces can be indicative of marginalisation and minority disempowerment.

The Guardian

Borenstein said: "Just like conscientiousness there are other traits which can be indicative of safe driving.

The Guardian - Tech

"Such a lack of judgment may be indicative of narcissistic behavior," Dr. Phillips said.

The New York Times

"It can be indicative of a property that is unusually difficult to unload," he said.

The New York Times

Being fair is seen to be indicative of class, caste and status in society.

The Guardian - Opinion

And, worryingly, it could also be indicative of a poorly structured and inefficient organisation.

The Guardian

It's tempting to think that this might be indicative of the way environmental policies have been sold within the party.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be indicative of" when you want to suggest a connection between two things, where one provides evidence or a sign of the other. It's particularly effective when the relationship isn't definitively proven but strongly implied.

Common error

Avoid using "be indicative of" to imply a direct causal relationship unless there is sufficient evidence. Just because one thing indicates another doesn't mean it causes it. Stick to 'correlation' instead of implying 'causation' without proof.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be indicative of" functions as a linking phrase, connecting a subject with an attribute that suggests or points to something else. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent and correct usage, highlighting its role in establishing connections between observed phenomena and potential underlying causes or conditions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be indicative of" is a versatile phrase used to suggest a relationship where one thing serves as a sign or indication of another. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse fields like science, news, and formal business settings. While it doesn't imply direct causation, it's effective in drawing inferences and suggesting potential underlying factors. When using this phrase, ensure that the context aligns with its suggestive nature and doesn't overstate the certainty of the connection.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be a sign of

Focuses more directly on the aspect of something being a clear signal or indication.

suggest

A more concise and direct way of saying something implies a certain outcome.

point to

Emphasizes the directional aspect of indicating something, like evidence leading to a conclusion.

imply

Highlights that something suggests a conclusion without explicitly stating it.

be suggestive of

Similar meaning, but puts more emphasis on the power of suggestion rather than direct indication.

be symptomatic of

Specifically refers to signs or symptoms of a condition or problem.

serve as evidence of

Highlights the evidential nature of the indication.

demonstrate

Indicates a more assertive or clear presentation of evidence.

reflect

Implies that something shows or mirrors a certain quality or condition.

hint at

Implies a subtle and indirect indication, less direct than "be indicative of".

FAQs

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

Use "be indicative of" to suggest that one thing shows or signals the presence of another. For example, "High test scores can "be indicative of" effective teaching methods".

What are some alternatives to "be indicative of"?

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

Is it appropriate to use "be indicative of" in formal writing?

Yes, "be indicative of" is suitable for formal writing. It appears frequently in academic, scientific, and news media contexts. However, make sure that you are not implying causation when only correlation is present.

How does "be indicative of" differ from "be symptomatic of"?

"Be symptomatic of" specifically refers to signs or symptoms of a condition or problem, whereas "be indicative of" has a broader meaning and can refer to any sign or suggestion. Therefore, "be symptomatic of" would be only applicable to conditions and disorders.