symptomatic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "symptomatic" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is indicative of a particular condition or situation, often in a medical or metaphorical context. Example: "The patient's fever is symptomatic of an underlying infection."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it was also symptomatic of the lack of direction to Liberal Democrat policy or strategy under his leadership.

The Guardian - Opinion

The dearth of a new generation of jimadores is symptomatic of a widespread decline in agricultural work in Mexico, with figures showing that the farm workforce fell by two million between 1995 and 2010, while pay for agricultural jobs has remained relatively static.

The Guardian

I keep asking myself: is the abuse symptomatic of what society real feels about black people, or is it just a vocal minority shouting down the rest?

The Guardian - Opinion

The £9m screening exercise has been criticised by some experts, who say it will not pick up those who have the virus but are not yet symptomatic.

The Guardian

Dr John Philpott, director of The Jobs Economist, was right to point out that such absence should not be dismissed as symptomatic of a "sickie culture".

The Guardian

The report found that CIA leadership was notified that rectal exams may have been conducted with "Excessive force", and that one of the detainees, Mustafa al-Hawsawi, suffered from an anal fissure, chronic hemorrhoids and symptomatic rectal prolapse.

The Guardian

That local Muslims felt compelled to publicly condemn an attack which had nothing to do with them is symptomatic of public life for many US Muslims since 9/11.

The Guardian

What we have to get better at – and this is symptomatic of volunteer involvement organisations generally – is demonstrating the impact of what we do and the return on the social investment we make.

The Guardian

When a statue of steelworkers that had occupied a site inside nearby Meadowhall shopping centre was moved outside some years ago, the outrage it caused was symptomatic of a city still not at ease with its lost heritage.

The Guardian

Some have suggested from the results of the Finnish study that alcohol abuse is symptomatic of the "work hard, play hard" cultures around professions – especially because workers who shifted into longer-hours jobs during the study were 12% more likely to develop risky drinking habits as a result.

The Guardian - Opinion

Look at the tram crash in Coronation Street, you falling off the roof to your death, Graham, in The Archers, a dead baby in EastEnders... JH: I think it's all too much, and it's symptomatic of too much competition.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "symptomatic", ensure the connection between the symptom and the underlying issue is clear. Providing context helps readers understand the relationship you're highlighting.

Common error

Avoid assuming that because something is "symptomatic" of a problem, it directly causes the problem. "Symptomatic" indicates a sign or indication, not necessarily the root cause. Further investigation is needed to understand root cause.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "symptomatic" functions primarily to describe something as being a symptom or sign of an underlying issue or condition. Ludwig AI indicates that it is often used to highlight a relationship between an observable indicator and a less obvious cause or problem.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "symptomatic" is a versatile term used to describe something that serves as a sign or indication of a larger issue. Ludwig AI confirms its proper and frequent usage, particularly in news and media, and in formal business contexts. When writing with "symptomatic", ensure you clarify the connection between the symptom and the underlying cause to avoid misinterpretations. Using alternatives like "indicative of" or "reflective of" can add precision to your writing. Being mindful of its function and typical usage can help writers avoid common errors, like mistaking correlation for causation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

indicative of

Focuses on the act of pointing something out or suggesting it indirectly.

reflective of

Emphasizes that something mirrors or represents a particular quality or state.

characteristic of

Highlights a feature that is typical or distinctive.

suggestive of

Implies something hints at or implies a particular outcome or condition.

evidence of

Highlights something that serves as proof or indication.

a sign of

Directly implies that something represents an impending event or situation.

demonstrative of

Focuses on illustrating or showing something clearly.

typical of

Highlights something that is usual or expected.

an indication of

Similar to "a sign of", but slightly more formal.

a manifestation of

Emphasizes the outward or tangible display of a condition or problem.

FAQs

How can I use "symptomatic" in a sentence?

You can use "symptomatic" to describe something that serves as a sign or indication of a larger problem. For example, "The increasing crime rate is "symptomatic" of deeper social issues".

What can I say instead of "symptomatic"?

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

Is it correct to say something is "symptomatic for" a condition?

No, the correct preposition to use with "symptomatic" is "of". You should say something is "symptomatic of" a condition, not "symptomatic for" it.

What's the difference between "symptomatic" and "diagnostic"?

"Diagnostic" implies the ability to identify a specific disease or condition, while "symptomatic" simply means showing or relating to symptoms, which may not definitively identify the cause.