this is symptomatic of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this is symptomatic of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is a sign or indication of a particular condition or situation. Example: "The increase in anxiety among students is symptomatic of the larger issues within the education system."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

But this is symptomatic of a broader pushback.

The Guardian

Doctors are taught that this is symptomatic of major shock.

The Guardian - Books

This is symptomatic of a more general problem.

The New York Times

Discusses how this is symptomatic of the disintegration of the party system.

The New Yorker

"This is symptomatic of the feeling that exists in many sections of the Labour party.

The Guardian

According to Fishman, all this is symptomatic of the Israeli psyche.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

This was symptomatic of my health issues, but it was incredibly difficult to fight.

The Guardian

This was symptomatic of the wider problem: Britain has missed the point.

The Guardian - Opinion

This was symptomatic of a larger issue: the band's music is quickly likable and sometimes runs the risk of superficiality.

The New York Times - Arts

Perhaps, the spokesperson continued, this was symptomatic of a broader condition: elections across the country appeared to have "degenerated" and become "hate filled".

The New Yorker

This was symptomatic of the ongoing argument between the astronauts and their mission controllers on the ground, a conflict that was a major theme in Tom Wolfe's book The Right Stuff (1979) and the film of the same name (1983).

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "this is symptomatic of", ensure the connection between the symptom and the underlying issue is clear to your reader. Provide enough context for them to understand the relationship.

Common error

While "this is symptomatic of" is generally acceptable, in very informal contexts, it can sound overly formal or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "this shows" or "this indicates" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this is symptomatic of" functions as a linking expression to connect an observed phenomenon with a broader underlying cause or condition. As Ludwig AI points out, it suggests that the observed event is a symptom of something more significant.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this is symptomatic of" is a versatile expression used to indicate that something is a sign or indication of a particular condition or situation. Ludwig AI highlights that it is grammatically correct and widely used, with primary usage contexts being News & Media and Science. While acceptable in most contexts, it may sound overly formal in casual conversation, where simpler alternatives may be more appropriate. Remember to ensure clarity in connecting the symptom to the underlying issue and to consider the register of your writing when choosing this phrase. In conclusion, use it thoughtfully to improve the analytical depth of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this is indicative of

Replaces "symptomatic" with "indicative", focusing on the role of pointing something out.

this is representative of

Replaces "symptomatic" with "representative", highlighting its commonness to the class it belongs to.

this is characteristic of

Substitutes "symptomatic" with "characteristic", pinpointing it as a typical quality or trait.

this is illustrative of

Emphasizes the clarifying example provided by the symptom with the use of "illustrative".

this is typical of

Uses "typical" instead of "symptomatic" to suggest it is a usual occurrence.

this is a sign of

Simpler phrasing using "sign" instead of "symptomatic", indicating a clear indication.

this reflects

A more direct way to express that something shows or demonstrates something else, removing the medical connotation.

this suggests

Implies that something hints at or points to a particular conclusion or condition.

this is evidence of

Replaces "symptomatic" with "evidence", suggesting a factual basis for the indication.

this exemplifies

Replaces "symptomatic" with "exemplifies", emphasizing the role as a perfect example or model.

FAQs

How can I use "this is symptomatic of" in a sentence?

Use "this is symptomatic of" to indicate that a particular observation or occurrence is a sign or indication of a larger issue or underlying problem. For example, "The company's declining profits are symptomatic of poor management."

What are some alternatives to "this is symptomatic of"?

You can use alternatives like "this is indicative of", "this suggests", or "this is representative of" depending on the context.

Is "this is symptomatic of" formal or informal?

"This is symptomatic of" falls into the neutral to formal register. While understandable in most contexts, it might sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives in informal settings.

Which is correct: "this is symptomatic of" or "these are symptomatic of"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "this is symptomatic of" for singular subjects and "these are symptomatic of" for plural subjects. For example, "This decline is symptomatic of a larger issue", and "These declines are symptomatic of larger issues".