most indicative

USAGE SUMMARY

'most indicative' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something is the most indicative, or most indicative sign, of something else. For example, "The most indicative sign of a healthy economy is a low unemployment rate."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The range of the weightings, expressed as the component score in percentage of the total score, is wide (Table 7, Fig. 2), indicating disagreement between research groups on which abnormalities are the most indicative of changes in disease status.

Insights into Imaging

However, with association studies, the most indicative value of potential power is the r measurement, as it provides an indication of the way the markers and phenotypic traits being studied will be correlated.

BMC Genomics

And most indicative of their philosophy were the plays called on third down.

The New York Times - Sports

While he played well throughout the concert, Mr. Esfahani's beautifully wrought encores were the most indicative of his artistry.

The New York Times - Arts

Perhaps most indicative of this truce is Lynne Cheney's "America: A Patriotic Primer" -- as notable for its moderate, inclusive tone as for its flag-waving.

The New York Times - Books

Perhaps the moment most indicative of the change in the team came in their first game against the Cowboys, on Oct. 25.

The New York Times - Sports

Of the markers, 71 most indicative of chronological age were selected to measure the speed at which people are growing old.

The New York Times - Health

And as Dr. Schlessinger addresses questions like "How can I get him to stop walking around angry and pouting?," she makes it clear that "proper" is her title's most indicative word.

The New York Times - Books

The first of 29 new designs, the White Temple, is a simple Zen sanctuary built outside Kyoto, Japan, in 2000, and in some ways it is the piece most indicative of Mr. Moeller's point.

The New York Times - Arts

In recent months, international shipping-related companies, such as South Korea's STX shipbuilding, have opened offices in Athens in what analysts say is the most indicative sign yet of Greece's growing strength in the global industry.

The Guardian - Business

It analysed 3m data points from over 30,000 employees, comparing traits of applicants with those of existing employees, to determine which traits are most indicative of reliability, trustworthiness and suitability for particular jobs.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Favor active voice constructions to make your writing more concise and impactful. For example, instead of "The red color is most indicative of ripeness," consider "The red color indicates ripeness."

Common error

A common error is to assume "most indicative" automatically implies causation. Remember, indication doesn't equal causation; further analysis is often needed to prove a direct causal link.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "most indicative" functions as a superlative adjective phrase, modifying a noun to specify the element that best signals or represents a particular condition, state, or quality. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is perfectly acceptable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "most indicative" serves as a superlative adjective phrase used to emphasize the strongest sign or indicator of something. As verified by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and widely used. Predominantly found in scientific, news, and formal business contexts, the phrase helps guide audiences to the most salient piece of evidence. When employing "most indicative", be clear about what it indicates and avoid implying causation without further evidence. Consider alternatives like "most representative" or "best indicator" to subtly shift the emphasis. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "most indicative" to enhance the clarity and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most representative

Changes the focus to representation rather than indication.

most suggestive

Emphasizes the power of suggestion rather than direct indication.

best indicator

Uses a noun form to express the same concept.

clearest sign

Focuses on visibility and ease of understanding.

strongest evidence

Highlights the evidential aspect of the phrase.

prime example

Shifts the emphasis to being a leading example.

chief symptom

More specific to medical or diagnostic contexts.

key characteristic

Focuses on the defining features of something.

hallmark feature

Highlights a distinctive and recognizable attribute.

definitive trait

Emphasizes the conclusiveness and certainty of the trait.

FAQs

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

Use "most indicative" to point out the strongest sign or signal of something. For example, "The rising unemployment rate is "most indicative" of an economic downturn."

What is a good alternative to "most indicative"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "most representative", "best indicator", or "clearest sign". The best choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to use "most indicative," or are there situations where "indicative" suffices?

Using "most indicative" emphasizes the strength or reliability of the sign. If you just want to state something suggests something else, "indicative" is sufficient. For example, "High fever is indicative of infection."

What's the difference between "most indicative" and "conclusive"?

"Most indicative" suggests a strong sign, while "conclusive" implies a definitive, irrefutable proof. "Most indicative" points towards something, whereas "conclusive" settles the matter.