representative of

USAGE SUMMARY

"representative of" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used when you want to say someone or something is a typical example of a group. For example, "This movie is representative of the horror genre."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He's representative of a man".

The New York Times

representative of the Fourteenth District.

The New Yorker

A representative of Apax declined to comment.

The New York Times

She's a representative of something else.

The New Yorker

Is it representative of other cartoonists?

The New Yorker

A representative of the association stood sentry.

The New York Times

Representative of 2 mice.

Nature

Representative of 16 mice.

Nature

Not exactly representative of the average pensioner.

Independent

It was a representative of Rachel Maddow.

The New York Times

"They seemed representative of our party".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "representative of", ensure the noun following "of" is a clearly defined group or category to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "representative of people", specify "representative of the community".

Common error

Avoid using "representative of" when the sample size is too small to accurately reflect the larger group. For example, don't claim a survey of ten people is "representative of the entire city".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "representative of" functions as a prepositional phrase, often acting as an adjective modifying a noun. It indicates that the noun it modifies is a typical example or a sample of a larger group. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the prepositional phrase "representative of" is a grammatically correct and very common way to describe something as a typical example of a larger group. It's used across diverse contexts, from news and media to science and academia, as confirmed by Ludwig's extensive examples. The phrase is considered neutral in register and is most effectively used when the connection to a broader category needs to be explicitly stated. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase follows standard grammatical rules.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

typical of

Focuses on the idea of being a standard example.

indicative of

Highlights that something serves as a sign or indication.

characteristic of

Emphasizes the traits that define a group or category.

exemplary of

Stresses being an ideal or excellent example.

reflective of

Suggests mirroring or showing the qualities of something.

symbolic of

Implies that something serves as a symbol.

illustrative of

Highlights how something clarifies or explains something else.

a sign of

Focuses on the idea of providing evidence or a signal.

suggestive of

Indicates that something hints at or implies something else.

in keeping with

Emphasizes being in agreement or harmony with something.

FAQs

How to use "representative of" in a sentence?

Use "representative of" to indicate that something is typical or characteristic of a larger group. For instance, "This data is representative of the overall trend".

What can I say instead of "representative of"?

You can use alternatives like "typical of", "indicative of", or "characteristic of depending on the context".

Which is correct, "representative of" or "representing"?

"Representative of" describes something that is a typical example. "Representing" implies actively acting on behalf of something. For example, "He is representative of the average voter" versus "He is representing the district in Congress".

What's the difference between "representative of" and "a delegate of"?

"Representative of" indicates a typical example, while "a delegate of" suggests someone officially chosen to act for others. "This sample is representative of the population" versus "She is a delegate of the United Nations".