indicative of

USAGE SUMMARY

"indicative of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used in academic writing and other formal contexts to express an indication of something, usually an abstract concept. For example, "His body language was indicative of significant distress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"It's indicative of something bigger.

The New York Times

Usually indicative of lysosomes.

Nature

"It's indicative of a changing attitude".

The New York Times - Arts

The parties were indicative of that.

The New York Times

The comment is indicative of his bravado.

The New York Times - Books

This is indicative of a broader pattern.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"It's not indicative of the county.

The New York Times

That is indicative of a disturbing pattern.

The New York Times

-What symptoms are indicative of the disease?

The New York Times

"It's indicative of a couple of things.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Indicative of the score.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "indicative of" to connect specific observations or data points to broader trends or underlying causes. This helps create a clear and logical argument.

Common error

Avoid using "indicative of" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "shows" or "suggests" are often more appropriate and natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "indicative of" primarily functions as a linking phrase, connecting a particular observation or piece of evidence to a broader conclusion or underlying trend. It suggests that the former is a sign or symptom pointing towards the latter. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in written English. Examples show its use in academic, scientific, and news contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "indicative of" is a prevalent prepositional phrase used to link observations to broader conclusions. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and frequently used in formal contexts, particularly in news, science, and academia. Its function is to provide interpretations based on evidence, best suited for formal and scientific registers. Related phrases include "suggestive of" and "representative of". When using "indicative of", connect data to underlying causes and avoid overuse in informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reflective of

This alternative emphasizes how something mirrors or shows the nature of something else.

suggestive of

This alternative highlights the suggestive nature of the original phrase, focusing on indirect indication.

a sign of

This alternative is more direct, simply stating that something is a sign or signal of something else.

suggesting

This alternative is a more concise verb form, directly indicating a hint or implication.

representative of

This alternative emphasizes the representative aspect, implying that something stands for or typifies something else.

illustrative of

This alternative focuses on providing a clear example or demonstration of something.

evidence of

This alternative highlights the evidentiary nature, implying a stronger degree of proof.

demonstrative of

This alternative stresses the action of demonstrating or proving something through evidence.

pointing to

This alternative uses a more active and directional verb, suggesting a clue or hint.

characteristic of

This alternative focuses on the typical traits or features associated with something.

FAQs

How to use "indicative of" in a sentence?

Use "indicative of" to show that something suggests or points to a particular fact or situation. For example, "The increase in sales is indicative of growing consumer confidence".

What can I say instead of "indicative of"?

You can use alternatives like "suggestive of", "representative of", or "reflective of" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "indicative of" or "indicating"?

"Indicative of" is a prepositional phrase meaning suggestive of, while "indicating" is a verb form meaning showing or pointing out. The correct choice depends on the grammatical structure of your sentence.

What's the difference between "indicative of" and "symptomatic of"?

"Indicative of" generally suggests a broader range of signs or signals, while "symptomatic of" often implies a more direct and causal relationship, often used in medical or diagnostic contexts. For example, fever is symptomatic of illness, whereas increased website traffic might be indicative of a successful marketing campaign.