illustrative of

USAGE SUMMARY

"illustrative of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something that serves as a good example of a particular concept or thing. For example, "The story of the tortoise and the hare is illustrative of the adage 'slow and steady wins the race'."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Fernando Spano is illustrative of this dilemma.

The Guardian - Sport

"Tulips" is especially illustrative of this.

The New York Times

There follows the most illustrative of anecdotes.

The Guardian

It's also illustrative of a shift in the entertainment industry.

The Guardian - Opinion

Illustrative of the intra-party conflict is the historic record.

The Guardian

The Common debacle is clearly illustrative of the opposition's strategy.

The Guardian - Music

This W-League season has been illustrative of the latter.

The Guardian - Sport

The Newsquest situation is illustrative of journalism's plight.

The Guardian

Dan Levine himself is illustrative of demographic changes.

The New Yorker

This suggestion was illustrative of Arrhenius's internationalist outlook.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The snap was illustrative of the adjustment process that Favre and the Jets are going through.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "illustrative of", ensure the example you provide clearly and directly supports the point you are making. A weak or ambiguous example weakens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using examples that are too general or not directly related to the topic. A poorly chosen example can confuse the reader and detract from your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "illustrative of" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces examples or instances to clarify or support a preceding statement. It serves to highlight something as a typical case. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "illustrative of" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to introduce examples that clarify or support a statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and suitable for various writing contexts. It is most commonly found in news and media and scientific publications. To use it effectively, make sure your examples are clear and relevant. Avoid vague or poorly related examples that could confuse your reader. Alternatives include "indicative of" and "exemplifying". By following these guidelines, you can enhance the clarity and effectiveness of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

serving as an example of

Adds an action-oriented clarification.

exemplifying

Focuses on the act of providing an example.

as an instance of

Formally presents an occurrence that supports a broader point.

demonstrating

Emphasizes the act of showing or proving something.

clarifying

Highlights the process of making something clearer through examples.

indicative of

Highlights that something serves as a sign or indication.

elucidating

Stresses making something easier to understand.

a case in point

More conversational way to introduce an example.

showing

Simple and direct, emphasizing visual or evidential representation.

a symbol of

Signifies the act of representing abstract concepts in concise manner.

FAQs

How to use "illustrative of" in a sentence?

Use "illustrative of" to introduce an example that clarifies a general statement. For instance, "The increase in online sales is illustrative of the shift towards e-commerce".

What can I say instead of "illustrative of"?

You can use alternatives like "indicative of", "exemplifying", or "serving as an example of" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "illustrative of" or "an illustration of"?

"Illustrative of" is used to show that something serves as an example. "An illustration of" refers to a specific instance or depiction. For example, "The graph is an illustration of the data, which is illustrative of the overall trend".

What's the difference between "illustrative of" and "representative of"?

"Illustrative of" means something provides a clear example. "Representative of" means something is typical or characteristic. While related, "illustrative of" highlights clarity, while "representative of" emphasizes typicality.