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Prepositions after adjectives

Indicative of

Indicative is normally followed by of to describe something that shows or suggests a fact or condition.

Quick answer

How to use indicative of

Indicative of means showing, suggesting, or being a sign of something. It is common in formal, academic, and professional English.

These results are indicative of a wider problem.
Her tone was indicative of frustration.
The figures may be indicative of future growth.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
indicative of + problem

Showing evidence of a condition

Use indicative of when something suggests a situation or issue.

The symptoms are indicative of infection.
2
indicative of + emotion

Describing signs of feelings

The phrase can describe behaviour or expressions that reveal emotions.

His silence was indicative of disappointment.
3
indicative of + trend

Talking about data and patterns

Indicative of is common in reports and analysis.

The survey is indicative of changing consumer habits.
4
be indicative of + noun phrase

Using the full predicate structure

Indicative usually appears after be.

A sharp decline can be indicative of financial stress.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
indicative of
The evidence is indicative of fraud.
Shows or suggests something.
evidence of
There is evidence of damage.
Direct proof or signs.
symptomatic of
The delays are symptomatic of poor planning.
Typical sign of a deeper issue.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using the wrong preposition

Indicative is normally followed by of.

✕ The pattern is indicative for change. ✓ The pattern is indicative of change.

Using indicative without a complement

Indicative usually needs information about what is being shown.

✕ The results are indicative. ✓ The results are indicative of progress.

Confusing indicative and indicator

Indicative is an adjective; indicator is a noun.

✕ The report is an indicative of growth. ✓ The report is indicative of growth.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The behaviour was indicative ___ stress.
2. The data may be indicative of ___ habits.
3. Her expression was indicative of ___.

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Frequently asked questions

Is indicative of formal?

Yes. It is especially common in academic, legal, and professional contexts.

Can I use indicative without of?

Usually no. The adjective normally takes of before the thing it suggests.

What does indicative of mean?

It means showing or suggesting something as a sign or indication.

ideal-for-in-as-at, from "identical to" or "identical with"? identifiable by, as, with, in or to? "idle for" or "idle in"? ignorant of, about, to, in or on? "illegal in" or "illegal for"? illustrative of, in, rather or for? ill with, in, for, at or of? "immune to" or "immune from"? "impatient with" or "impatient for"? "imperative for" or "imperative to"? impervious to, from or in?

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