What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
illustrative
Example
The chart is illustrative of the company's growth over the past year. [illustrative: adjective]
Example
The speaker used an illustrative example to help the audience understand the concept. [illustrative: noun]
indicative
Example
The data is indicative of a trend towards more sustainable practices. [indicative: adjective]
Example
The rise in sales is indicative of a successful marketing campaign. [indicative: preposition]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Indicative is more commonly used than illustrative in everyday language. Indicative is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while illustrative is less common and often used in academic or educational contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between illustrative and indicative?
Illustrative is typically associated with a formal tone, while indicative is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.
