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Preposition after adjective

predictive of and other prepositions

Predictive of is the standard pattern meaning indicating a likely result. Other prepositions usually add context rather than complete the adjective.

Quick answer

Which form is standard?

Use predictive of to show that one thing indicates another. Predictive in and predictive for can appear in technical contexts. Predictive about and predictive as are not standard adjective patterns.

These symptoms are predictive of infection.
The model is predictive in financial analysis.
The test is predictive for certain risks.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
predictive of + result

Indicating a future outcome

Of is the normal complement after predictive.

High stress is predictive of burnout.
2
predictive in + field

Useful within a discipline

In introduces the area where prediction occurs.

AI is highly predictive in weather forecasting.
3
predictive for + condition

Showing diagnostic value

For appears in technical or scientific contexts.

The marker is predictive for heart disease.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
predictive of
The pattern is predictive of future growth.
indicating a likely outcome
predictive in
The software is predictive in retail planning.
used for prediction in a field
predictive for
The test is predictive for complications.
having predictive value regarding something
predictive about
The report was predictive about market changes.
about introduces the topic of prediction, not a fixed adjective pattern
predictive as
The model works as a predictive tool.
as describes a role, not a complement

Common mistakes

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

Using about as the normal complement

Use of for direct predictive meaning.

✕ These signs are predictive about failure. ✓ These signs are predictive of failure.

Confusing as with of

As describes function, while of introduces the predicted outcome.

✕ The data is predictive as fraud. ✓ The data is predictive of fraud.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The behaviour is predictive ___ future problems.
2. Machine learning is predictive ___ supply planning.
3. The screening tool is predictive ___ complications.

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Frequently asked questions

What does predictive of mean?

It means indicating or suggesting a future result.

Is predictive for acceptable?

Yes, especially in medical and scientific writing.

Can predictive be followed by about?

About may introduce a topic, but it is not the standard complement after predictive.

packed-with-to-in-on, into "paid for" or "paid up"? painful for, to, in, at or of? "palatable to" or "palatable for"? "pale in" or "pale of"? "pandemic of" or "pandemic in"? "paramount to" or "paramount in"? paranoid about, of, in, with or over? partial to, of, in, towards or for? participating in, of, on, at or for? "particular about" or "particular to"? part-time at, in, for, as or with?

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