that was indicative

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that was indicative" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that serves as a sign or indication of a particular situation or quality. Example: "The sudden drop in temperature that was indicative of the approaching storm caught everyone off guard."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

But he added that there had been a very large vote in the House of Lords that was indicative of widespread concern.

The Guardian

Stanley Kaplan's personal involvement and support of Musicians Emergency Fund, Inc., was a testimonial to his dedication to classical music that was indicative of the depth and scope of his knowledge and appreciation.

The New York Times

"It wasn't, 'This is what you've got to do.' It was something that was indicative of the capacity of the firm to think very, very creatively about how this could be pulled off in a way that was really interesting — indeed, brilliant".

The New York Times - Arts

Holland came closest after the break, skipping past three Sydney defenders only to botch his finish, while Simon sent one wide and Alex Wilkinson took a feeble stab that was indicative of a squad perhaps more focused on next week's FFA Cup final.

The Guardian - Sport

So, we felt that we needed a.com, and since Blueapple was unavailable, we tried to find a name that was indicative of what we do.

TechCrunch

For the Somerset side it was was a first-half performance that was indicative of their season - comfortable in possession, but toothless up front.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

"That's indicative of deception, that's indicative of stress," said Joe Navarro, a retired F.B.I. agent who trains intelligence officers and employees for banks and insurance companies.

The New York Times - Sports

"They're segments of that tape that are indicative of casing," Mr. George said.

The New York Times

"Sometimes flippant remarks like that are indicative of what his actual feelings are".

The New York Times

What that is indicative of, all the walk-off losses on the road, that's indicative of an eighth-inning guy".

The New York Times

Emeralds are currently sourced by a battery of visual and spectroscopic tests that are indicative rather than definitive.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing "that was indicative", ensure the connection between the sign and the larger issue is clear to your audience. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "that was indicative" in scenarios where a simpler, more direct description would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was indicative" functions as a relative clause introducing a description of something that serves as a sign or symptom. As Ludwig AI explains, it is usable in written English and correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

45%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that was indicative" serves as a useful tool for highlighting signs or symptoms within a narrative. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and primarily appears in News & Media and Science contexts. Remember to use it thoughtfully, ensuring the connection between the sign and the larger issue is clear to your audience, and avoid overuse in simple descriptions. When appropriate, consider alternatives like "that suggested" or "that was a sign of" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was a sign of

Uses a more common phrase to express the same meaning of indication or omen.

that suggested

Replaces "was indicative" with a more direct verb, implying a hint or clue.

that implied

Similar to "suggested", but carries a stronger sense of indirect communication or inference.

that signaled

Emphasizes the role of the phrase as a clear signal or warning.

that pointed to

Highlights the directional aspect of indication, suggesting a specific outcome or cause.

that demonstrated

Focuses on the phrase's ability to show or prove something clearly.

that reflected

Indicates that the phrase mirrors or represents something else.

that served as a clue

Highlights the investigatory aspect, suggesting a hint in solving a mystery.

that evidenced

A more formal way of saying "showed", implying a strong degree of proof.

that bespoke

A more archaic and literary way of saying "indicated", implying a subtle or inherent quality.

FAQs

How can I use "that was indicative" in a sentence?

Use "that was indicative" to describe something that serves as a sign or indication of a particular situation or quality. For instance, "The decline in sales that was indicative of a struggling economy".

What are some alternatives to "that was indicative"?

You can use alternatives like "that suggested", "that implied", or "that was a sign of" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "that was indicative of" or "that indicated"?

"That indicated" is a more concise and direct option. "That was indicative of" is slightly more formal and can be useful when you want to emphasize the suggestive nature of the sign or symptom.

What's the difference between "that was indicative of" and "that was characteristic of"?

"That was indicative of" suggests something served as a sign or symptom, while "that was characteristic of" implies something was typical or representative. For example, "His quick temper that was indicative of stress" versus "His wit that was characteristic of his writing".