informative

USAGE SUMMARY

"informative" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something that contains a lot of useful information in an easy-to-understand way. For example: "The presentation was very informative and gave us a better understanding of the topic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Biographical information can be enormously informative, he says, enlightening the reader as to the poet's real preoccupations.

The Economist

But if the returns to investing in information are reduced, the market will become less informative.

The Economist

Lucy Flannery Havant Stuart Heritage's Is It Worth It? on squash was informative, but he might have suggested that would-be players would benefit from a few sessions with a local, friendly, licensed squash coach.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We were kept abreast on progress and our surroundings with short, informative lectures from the expedition leaders, who were always tolerant of an inadvertently lolling head.

The Guardian - Travel

It makes for an entertaining and informative read, as Biggles and his associates attempt to evade capture in order to escape to London with important military information.

The Guardian

Martin Boon, of ICM Unlimited, who developed the "wisdom" approach, argued that it could sometimes be more informative than asking voters what they will do.

The Guardian

Forest ranger Russ runs regular, fun and informative expeditions in search of bats - you get your own ultrasonic detector - red and roe deer, and Cropton's more anti-social inhabitants, badgers.

The Guardian - Travel

So, if your boss asks, rather than admit to day dreaming about Christmas Day portion sizes, tell them you're watching some highly informative video news content.

The Guardian

A: We encourage contributors to the Guardian website to include links to content which is revealing, relevant, informative and/or provides more background or context about a particular perspective, situation or topic.

The Guardian

What people may not realise is how informative the metadata extracted from their email logs can be.

The Guardian - Tech

These can be entertaining and get enough viewers to encourage endless repeats but they are short on the informative side.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your sentence structure by placing "informative" before the noun it modifies (e.g., "informative report") or after a linking verb (e.g., "the report was informative").

Common error

Avoid using "informative" as a generic descriptor. Specify what makes the information valuable or useful to provide a clearer understanding for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "informative" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something that provides useful or interesting information. As Ludwig AI states, it can be used to describe things like articles, lectures, and websites that offer knowledge.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "informative" is a grammatically sound and widely used term to describe something that provides useful or interesting information. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's primarily used in neutral register and found frequently in News & Media contexts. For alternative word choices, consider terms like "instructive", "enlightening", or "illuminating", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to specify what makes the information valuable to avoid generic usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

instructive

Emphasizes the teaching aspect, implying a more structured learning experience.

enlightening

Suggests a more profound and transformative understanding.

illuminating

Highlights the clarification of a previously obscure topic.

educational

Focuses on the aspect of imparting knowledge or skills.

helpful

Indicates practical assistance through the provision of useful details.

revealing

Implies the uncovering of something previously hidden or unknown.

insightful

Highlights the depth and perception of the information provided.

useful

Emphasizes the practicality and applicability of the information.

newsy

Focuses on whether something has new or updated information.

well-documented

Indicates that the information is supported by evidence and research.

FAQs

How can I use "informative" in a sentence?

You can use "informative" to describe something that provides useful or interesting information. For instance, "The lecture was very "informative" and helped me understand the topic better."

What are some synonyms for "informative"?

Alternatives to "informative" include "instructive", "enlightening", and "educational". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "informative" or "informational"?

"Informative" is generally preferred when describing something that provides useful information. "Informational" is more commonly used to describe something that is simply related to information.

What makes something "informative" as opposed to just factual?

While factual content presents data, "informative" content provides facts in a way that is helpful, insightful, or adds understanding. It's not just about presenting data, but about making it meaningful to the audience.