to be representative

USAGE SUMMARY

"to be representative" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are wanting to express that something is serving as an example of a group or category. For example, "The artist's exhibition was intended to be representative of their entire body of work."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The working set is assumed to be representative of the class space the representativeness assumption [31].

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

Results were weighted to be representative of all small businesses.

The New York Times

One big victor appears to be Representative Martin Frost.

The New York Times

Data were weighted to be representative of the constituency.

Independent

Data were weighted to be representative of all GB adults.

Independent

But the samples were weighted to be representative of the demographics of each country.

The Guardian

"They are not meant to be representative of their two nations.

The New York Times

Some claim their views to be representative of the voice of "Muslim women".

The Guardian - Opinion

"I no longer wanted to be representative of the kind of flamenco audience and critics wanted.

The Guardian

Clarke said: "It is likely to be representative for some time to come".

The Guardian - Business

"To be effective in the community you need to be representative of it," said Mr. Thomas.

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to be representative" in research, ensure that your sampling methods are clearly defined and justified to support the claim that your sample accurately reflects the larger population.

Common error

Avoid assuming that a small or selectively chosen group is "to be representative" of a much larger population. Always acknowledge the limitations of your sample and avoid making broad generalizations without sufficient evidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be representative" functions as an infinitive phrase, often used adjectivally to describe a noun or concept. As Ludwig AI states, it indicates that something serves as a sample or example of a larger group or category. This phrase is commonly used to express the idea of something accurately reflecting a larger entity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

49%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be representative" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it accurately serves the purpose of indicating that something exemplifies or accurately reflects a larger group or category. Its usage spans across diverse fields like science, news, and formal communications, demonstrating its versatility. To ensure accuracy in writing, avoid overgeneralizing from potentially skewed samples, and always support claims of representativeness with robust methodology. Consider using synonyms such as ""to exemplify"" or ""to be indicative of"" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be a typical example of

Adds emphasis on being a usual or standard instance, using longer structure.

to exemplify

Focuses on serving as a typical example, simplifying the wording.

to typify

Indicates embodying the essential characteristics, changing the verb.

to be indicative of

Highlights the signaling aspect, adding a prepositional phrase.

to be symbolic of

Implies a deeper meaning beyond the literal, shifting the focus to symbolism.

to be illustrative of

Stresses the clarifying nature of the example, emphasizing demonstration.

to serve as a model for

Emphasizes acting as a pattern for imitation, adding a prescriptive element.

to embody

Highlights giving a concrete form, shortening the phrase to one word.

to reflect

Uses a more direct verb, making the sentence shorter and more concise.

to mirror

Implies a close and accurate resemblance, swapping for a synonymous verb.

FAQs

How can I use "to be representative" in a sentence?

You can use "to be representative" to describe something that serves as a typical example of a larger group. For example, "The data was weighted to be representative of the population".

What is an alternative to "to be representative"?

Alternatives include "to exemplify", "to typify", or "to be indicative of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "to be representative"?

It's appropriate when you want to express that something accurately reflects the characteristics or qualities of a larger group or category. It is important to avoid misusing the expression, and instead consider alternatives such as "to embody".

What does it mean for a sample "to be representative" in research?

In research, for a sample "to be representative" means that it accurately reflects the characteristics of the population being studied, ensuring that the findings can be generalized to the larger group. If that's not the case, researchers should consider "to mirror" the group.