suggestive of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "suggestive of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to imply a hint of something, rather than a clear statement. For example: "The advertisement was suggestive of a new product launch."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Not suggestive of imminent harmony.

Independent

Suggestive of its smoothness.

The Guardian

The promos feature melons suggestive of breasts.

The New York Times - Style

Anything suggestive of fairy tale has gone.

The Guardian - Music

Suggestive of the busy handling of coins.

The Guardian

They're the songs least suggestive of reinvention.

The New York Times - Arts

Some homes are mere frames, barely suggestive of a dwelling.

The New York Times

Guinness's mode is more tragic, and more suggestive of masochism.

The New Yorker

His voice is upper class, suggestive of another age.

The Guardian - Books

As such, "they are highly suggestive of financial crime".

The New Yorker

Fashion faux pas... Anything colorful or remotely suggestive of comfort.

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "suggestive of" when you want to imply a connection or possibility without making a direct assertion. It's useful for nuanced communication where absolute certainty isn't possible or desired.

Common error

Avoid using "suggestive of" too frequently in your writing, as it can dilute the impact of your statements. Instead, consider using more direct language when the evidence supports a stronger claim.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "suggestive of" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies nouns or clauses. It serves to attribute a quality of implication or indication, without asserting direct proof. Ludwig AI affirms that this is the way the phrase is most commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "suggestive of" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate a hint or indirect connection. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently employed across diverse contexts, including science, news, and formal communications. While being highly prevalent, overuse can weaken writing, thus one should opt for stronger, more direct phrasing when possible. When a subtle hint is sufficient, it is appropriate to use the phrase "suggestive of". The related phrases include ""indicative of"", "reminiscent of" and "hinting at", providing alternative options for conveying similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

indicative of

This alternative highlights the function of pointing something out, being a sign or symptom.

evocative of

This alternative emphasizes the quality of bringing thoughts, memories, or feelings into the mind.

reminiscent of

This alternative highlights the quality of recalling past events or things.

hinting at

This alternative describes subtle or indirect communication.

implying

This alternative focuses on suggesting something without explicitly stating it.

alluding to

This alternative indicates making an indirect reference.

pointing towards

This alternative suggests direction or indication toward a specific conclusion or outcome.

indicates

This alternative stresses a signal or a sign about something.

intimating

This alternative conveys suggesting something subtly or indirectly.

symbolic of

This alternative indicates that something represents or stands for something else.

FAQs

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

Use "suggestive of" to imply a connection or potential relationship without stating it directly. For instance, "The data is "indicative of" a trend but doesn't confirm it definitively."

What are some alternatives to "suggestive of"?

You can use alternatives like ""indicative of"", "reminiscent of", or "hinting at" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "suggestive of" or "suggests"?

The choice depends on the context. "Suggests" is more direct, while "suggestive of" implies a weaker connection. Use "suggests" when you have more confidence in the connection and "suggestive of" when you want to convey uncertainty.

What's the difference between "suggestive of" and "implying"?

"Suggestive of" describes something that gives a hint or impression, while "implying" describes the act of hinting or indicating something indirectly. For example, "The evidence is suggestive of a link," while "The speaker was implying a connection."