indicative answer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "indicative answer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an answer that suggests or points to a particular conclusion or interpretation. Example: "The results of the survey provided an indicative answer to the question of customer satisfaction."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

For example, for the question "What two things were weighed up before the decision was made about whether Bondronat should be approved," the indicative answer was "(Bondronat's/its) benefits AND risks".

BMJ Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

‡Bold type: Indicative answers are counting one point.

BMC Geriatrics

The weakest interpretation of the contract is that the contractual result is simply indicative of the correct answer to the justificatory problem, which itself is simply indicative of the fact that P has N.

SEP

Again, I've said no. Ignoring that answer is indicative of the fact that my voice will not be taken into account by you.

Vice

But it was hard not to conclude that Mayweather's predictable, stock answers were indicative of a man for whom money rather than his reputation as a sportsman is now the priority.

BBC

Two or more positive answers are indicative of increased chance of risky-drinking [ 86].

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Obviously his answer was not indicative of a deep attachment to his new bride so much as the whim of a young and powerful man with great wealth.

Huffington Post

Answers to statements indicative of a low acceptance of an evolution concept (high acceptance of the associated misconception) received low scores and answers to statements indicative of a high acceptance of an evolution concept (nonacceptance of misconception) received high scores.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

To screen children at the clinic for Asperger syndrome, doctors asked parents to fill out out a form that described 50 varying behaviors indicative of Asperger syndrome by answering "observed" or "not observed".

Vice

In addition, some answers were possibly indicative of an exclusive language other than English instead of the bilingual capability of the respondent.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Answer: scrappy worksheets are indicative of the low expectations that are responsible for poor performance of "bright youngsters from disadvantaged homes" and the school is responsible for changing the culture of lack of engagement in learning.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "indicative answer", ensure that the connection between the answer and the conclusion it suggests is clear and logical. The answer should provide a meaningful clue or insight.

Common error

Avoid treating an "indicative answer" as a definitive solution. Remember that it only suggests a possibility, not a certainty. Using hedging language can help maintain appropriate nuance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "indicative answer" functions as an adjective-noun combination. The adjective "indicative" modifies the noun "answer", specifying the kind of answer being provided—one that points toward a certain conclusion or meaning. Ludwig AI shows the use of it in real contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

23%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

22%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "indicative answer" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe a response that suggests a particular conclusion or meaning. Though not exceedingly common, its usage spans various domains, including science, news, and formal communication. Ludwig's analysis demonstrates its applicability in diverse contexts, highlighting its role in conveying subtle insights. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to ensure that the connection between the answer and the suggested outcome is logically sound. Alternatives such as "suggestive response" or "telling response" can be used to add nuance, depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suggestive response

Replaces "indicative answer" by emphasizing the suggestive nature of the response, implying that it hints at something without explicitly stating it.

suggestive reply

Uses 'reply' instead of 'answer', slightly altering the tone while maintaining the core meaning of a suggestive response.

telling response

Substitutes "indicative answer" with a focus on the revealing or informative quality of the answer.

revealing answer

Similar to "telling response", this highlights the answer's capacity to uncover or disclose information.

representative answer

This alternative conveys that the answer is typical or characteristic of a larger set of responses.

clue-giving response

Emphasizes the aspect of the answer that provides clues or hints towards understanding a problem or situation.

illuminating answer

Highlights the clarifying and insightful aspect of the response.

pointing answer

This phrase emphasizes that the answer points towards a certain direction or conclusion.

symptomatic answer

Replaces "indicative" with "symptomatic", drawing a parallel to medical terminology where symptoms indicate a condition. This suggests the answer is symptomatic of a larger issue.

guiding response

This phrase emphasizes that the answer guides or directs towards the correct understanding or solution.

FAQs

What does "indicative answer" mean?

An "indicative answer" is a response that suggests or points toward a particular conclusion or interpretation, but is not necessarily definitive or conclusive. It provides a clue or hint rather than a final solution.

How can I use "indicative answer" in a sentence?

You might use "indicative answer" like this: "The survey results provided an "indicative answer" about customer satisfaction levels, suggesting a need for improvement."

What are some alternatives to "indicative answer"?

You can use alternatives such as "suggestive response", "telling response", or "revealing answer", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between an "indicative answer" and a definitive one?

Yes. An "indicative answer" suggests a possible conclusion, while a definitive answer provides a certain and conclusive resolution. The former is a hint, the latter is a solution.