reflective of

USAGE SUMMARY

"reflective of" is an acceptable phrase that can be used in written English.
It is often used to describe something that accurately reflects a certain quality or characteristic. For example: "The artist's newest work is reflective of the intense emotion she is feeling right now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This isn't reflective of education; this is reflective of culture.

The Guardian

It becomes less reflective of the surroundings".

The New York Times - Travel

Further reflective of Oregon's unpredictability is race.

The New York Times

"It's symbolic – reflective of her personality.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

This was merely reflective of individual brilliance.

The Guardian - Sport

Now it's more reflective of Laslett's dream".

The Guardian

It's simple, reflective of ballet music.

The New York Times - Arts

Our commitments will be reflective of this".

The Guardian - Sport

Hardly reflective of the UK in 2016.

The Guardian - Film

It's reflective of the restorative approach.

The Guardian

Is this reflective of our society?

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reflective of" to accurately describe how something mirrors or embodies a particular quality, trait, or trend.

Common error

Avoid using "reflective of" when you actually mean 'caused by'. "Reflective of" indicates mirroring or representation, not direct causation. For example, instead of saying "The increased crime rate is reflective of poverty," which implies poverty mirrors the crime rate, rather state that "The increased crime rate is caused by poverty".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reflective of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating that something serves as a mirror or representation of something else. It is similar in meaning to 'indicative of' or 'representative of', as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reflective of" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to describe how one thing mirrors or embodies another. As Ludwig AI explains, its grammatical status is correct and it's very common. Predominantly found in News & Media, it's crucial to use "reflective of" when you want to highlight that something represents or mirrors something else, rather than implying direct causation. Remember to replace it with terms like "indicative of" or "representative of" for variety or precision. Steer clear of implying direct causation, as it indicates mirroring instead. By grasping its nuances, you can confidently enhance your writing and speaking skills. The phrase maintains a neutral tone, suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

indicative of

Emphasizes that something serves as a sign or indication of something else.

representative of

Highlights that something is typical or characteristic of a larger group or category.

illustrative of

Suggests that something serves to clarify or exemplify a particular point or concept.

suggestive of

Implies that something hints at or evokes a particular idea or feeling.

mirrors

Implies that one thing is very similar to another.

epitomizes

Highlights something that is a perfect example.

is characteristic of

Points out that a trait or quality is typical for something.

symbolic of

Emphasizes the symbolic meaning of something.

a sign of

Indicates something exists or will likely occur.

consistent with

Indicates agreement or alignment with something else.

FAQs

How can I use "reflective of" in a sentence?

Use "reflective of" to show that something accurately represents or mirrors a particular quality or characteristic. For example: "The data is "reflective of" the broader economic trends".

What are some alternatives to saying "reflective of"?

You can use phrases like "indicative of", "representative of", or "illustrative of" as alternatives to "reflective of", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "a reflection of" or "reflective of"?

"A reflection of" is a noun phrase referring to the image or consequence of something, while "reflective of" is an adjective phrase describing something that mirrors or represents something else. For example, "The economic crisis is a reflection of poor policy decisions," versus, "The current market trends are "reflective of" investor uncertainty".

When should I avoid using "reflective of"?

Avoid using "reflective of" if you intend to indicate a direct cause-and-effect relationship. In such cases, use phrases like 'caused by' or 'due to' instead. "Reflective of" implies a mirroring or representation, not causation.