is indicative of

USAGE SUMMARY

"is indicative of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to indicate that something has shown evidence of a particular characteristic, usually a negative one. For example, "The fact that the company lost 20% of its employees last year is indicative of poor working conditions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The comment is indicative of his bravado.

The New York Times - Books

This is indicative of a broader pattern.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That is indicative of a disturbing pattern.

The New York Times

Tenderness is indicative of glenohumeral pathology.

Stanford University

Disney Universe is indicative of this.

The Guardian - Tech

"This is indicative of a set-up I would say.

The Guardian

Their nickname – Les Aiglons – is indicative of the club's status.

The Guardian - Sport

And perhaps that is indicative of the problem, too.

The New York Times - Sports

It is indicative of an investor, not a day trader.

The New York Times

"And this is indicative of the growth of our programs".

The New York Times

The Bafétimbi Gomis saga is indicative of the club's predicament.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is indicative of" to connect an observation with a broader trend or underlying cause. For example, "The increase in sales is indicative of growing consumer confidence".

Common error

Avoid using "is indicative of" in simple sentences where a more direct verb like "shows" or "suggests" would be clearer and more concise. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is indicative of" functions as a linking verb phrase that connects a subject with a predicate adjective or noun phrase, suggesting that the subject provides evidence or is a sign of something else. Ludwig confirms this grammatical correctness and broad applicability. For example, "Tenderness is indicative of glenohumeral pathology."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is indicative of" is a versatile tool for connecting observations to broader implications. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news, science, and academic writing. While simpler alternatives exist, "is indicative of" shines when you want to suggest a deeper connection or underlying trend. Keep in mind its slightly formal tone and use it judiciously in simpler sentences to maintain clarity. By connecting observations with underlying trends, "is indicative of" enhances your writing and communicates your insights effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is a sign of

Uses a more direct and common expression for indicating something.

is evidence of

Highlights the role of something as proof or support for a claim.

suggests that

Emphasizes a hint or implication, rather than a direct indication.

points to

Highlights the role of something as a sign or signal.

signals

Indicates the presence or occurrence of something, often in a more formal or technical context.

reflects

Emphasizes how something mirrors or represents something else.

implies

Similar to "suggests", but can also mean a more subtle or indirect communication.

demonstrates

Focuses on the act of showing or proving something clearly.

highlights

Focuses on drawing attention to a particular aspect or feature.

betrays

Indicates that something reveals information unintentionally.

FAQs

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

Use "is indicative of" to connect a specific observation or data point to a more general trend, characteristic, or underlying cause. For instance, "The high test scores "is indicative of" effective teaching methods".

What are some alternatives to "is indicative of"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "suggests that", "points to", "demonstrates", or "is a sign of".

When is it appropriate to use "is indicative of" instead of "shows"?

"Is indicative of" is more appropriate when you want to imply a deeper connection or underlying trend, whereas "shows" is a more direct and simple way to present information. For example, "The data shows an increase in sales" versus "The data "is indicative of" a growing market demand".

Is "is indicative of" formal or informal?

"Is indicative of" is generally considered to be a neutral to slightly formal phrase. It is suitable for professional writing, academic papers, and news articles. In more casual contexts, simpler alternatives might be preferred.