Indicative
/ɪnˈdɪkətɪv/
Definitions
2 meaningsServing as a sign or suggestion of something.
/ɪnˈdɪkətɪv/
Serving as a sign or indication of something
The increase in property values is indicative of a booming housing market.
💡 Simply: It's like a clue! If something is indicative, it gives you a hint about something else. For instance, a frown is indicative of sadness.
👶 For kids: It means something is a sign or a clue. Like, if you see clouds, it's indicative of rain!
More Examples
The doctor's questions were indicative of a thorough examination.
A fever can be indicative of an infection.
How It's Used
"The rising unemployment rate is indicative of a slowing economy."
"Her anxiety, though subtle, was indicative of a deeper issue."
"The positive sales figures are indicative of the success of their new marketing campaign."
The mood of a verb that expresses a statement of fact or a question.
/ɪnˈdɪkətɪv/
The indicative mood or form of a verb
The sentence 'The sun is shining' is in the indicative mood.
💡 Simply: It's the way you say something is definitely true. For example, 'I am eating' is indicative, because it tells a fact about right now.
👶 For kids: It means the way we say things that are true, like 'I like pizza'.
More Examples
Verbs in the indicative mood are used to express facts.
He struggled to identify the indicative verbs in the paragraph.
How It's Used
"The indicative is the mood used to make a statement of fact."
"She learned to differentiate between the indicative and the subjunctive moods."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Antonyms
From Late Latin *indicativus*, from *indicare* meaning "to point out, show". Related to the verb "indicate".
The term 'indicative' has been used in grammatical contexts since the 16th century, referring to the mood of verbs used to state facts. Its broader use as an adjective describing something that is suggestive evolved later.
Memory tip
Think of an *index* finger, pointing out or *indicating* something. Indicative means it shows or suggests something else.
Word Origin
"to point out, show"