may be indicative

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may be indicative" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when suggesting that something could be a sign or signal of a particular condition or situation. Example: "The increase in sales may be indicative of a growing demand for our product."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His confident words may be indicative.

The New York Times

While these findings may be indicative rather than definitive, they come at a crucial moment.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Such a lack of judgment may be indicative of narcissistic behavior," Dr. Phillips said.

The New York Times

"For example, abnormalities may be indicative of an intrauterine infection, maternal illness or poor fetal outcome," explains Clark.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

An inappropriate heart rate (or pulse) may be indicative of disease.

Encyclopedia Britannica

An anomalous current density or gradient may be indicative of a subsurface structural feature.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Hence, high scores may be indicative of IIM.

EJNMMI Research

This may be indicative that additional abstraction processes may be operative.

Journal of Hydrology

Excessive deflections under service loads may be indicative of structural changes, damage and deterioration.

Engineering Structures

Such shift may be indicative of cultural adaptation during the program.

International Journal of Intercultural Relations

Differences in feeding behaviour between breeds may be indicative of reduced motivation to ingest food quickly.

Applied Animal Behaviour Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may be indicative" when you want to suggest a possible relationship or connection without stating it as a definite fact. It's a good way to introduce cautious interpretations of data or observations.

Common error

Avoid using "may be indicative" when you have conclusive evidence. Using stronger verbs like "proves", "demonstrates", or "confirms" will be more effective in these cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be indicative" functions as a hedging device, softening claims and expressing uncertainty or possibility. As Ludwig AI highlights, it suggests a potential connection without asserting a definitive conclusion. It's used to introduce interpretations or hypotheses that require further investigation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

25%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may be indicative" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to suggest a potential relationship or sign of something, without making a definitive claim. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is most common in scientific, news and encyclopedic sources. When using this phrase, it's important to consider whether your evidence is conclusive. If it is, using stronger verbs will be more impactful. Overall, "may be indicative" serves as a valuable tool for expressing cautious interpretations and prompting further investigation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

may suggest

Removes the 'be' verb, making the phrase more concise while retaining a similar meaning.

could suggest

This alternative uses "could" to express a lower degree of certainty than "may", making it slightly less direct.

might indicate

Similar to "could suggest", "might indicate" uses "might" for a slightly weaker indication.

may imply

A more polite version of the previous, it doesn't imply, it just "may imply".

could signal

"Could signal" emphasizes the role of a sign or warning, suggesting a potential future event.

can imply

"Can imply" suggests a potential consequence or result, rather than a direct indication.

might be a sign of

This alternative explicitly states the possibility of something being a sign, adding emphasis.

potentially reveals

"Potentially reveals" indicates a disclosure of information that was previously hidden.

possibly points to

"Possibly points to" suggests a direction or focus, indicating a potential cause or explanation.

hint at

"Hint at" implies a subtle and indirect suggestion, rather than a clear indication.

FAQs

How to use "may be indicative" in a sentence?

The phrase "may be indicative" suggests that something could be a sign or signal of a particular condition or situation. For example, "The increase in sales may be indicative of a growing demand for our product."

What can I say instead of "may be indicative"?

You can use alternatives like "could suggest", "might indicate", or "can imply" depending on the context.

Is "may be indicative of" grammatically correct?

Yes, "may be indicative of" is grammatically correct. The "of" clarifies what the subject is potentially a sign of, for example: "The data may be indicative of a larger trend."

What's the difference between "may be indicative" and "suggests"?

"May be indicative" implies a possibility or potential, while "suggests" can imply a stronger likelihood or conclusion. The choice depends on the certainty you want to convey.