What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
probative
Example
The probative value of the witness's testimony was high, as it directly supported the plaintiff's claim. [probative: adjective]
Example
The judge admitted the probative evidence into the trial record. [probative: adjective]
indicative
Example
The low attendance rate was indicative of a larger problem within the organization. [indicative: adjective]
Example
The data was indicative of a positive trend in sales for the company. [indicative: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Indicative is more commonly used than probative in everyday language. Indicative is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while probative is less common and typically used in legal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between probative and indicative?
While probative is typically associated with a technical and formal tone, indicative is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
