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indicative

adj. · n.
US //ˌɪnˈdɪkətɪv// UK //ɪndˈɪkətˌɪv// in·dica·tive
  1. 1 serving as a sign (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    showing or suggesting that something is happening or exists.

    serving as a sign, symptom, or suggestion of something. Often used with the preposition 'of'.

    Example

    The sudden drop in sales is indicative of a larger problem with the economy.

    Example

    The persistent silence from the negotiations was widely seen as indicative of a fundamental breakdown in communication between the two parties.
  2. 2 grammar mood (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Science

    relating to the form of a verb used to make simple statements or ask questions.

    relating to the grammatical mood used to express factual statements and positive beliefs.

    Example

    In the sentence 'He is eating,' the verb is in the indicative mood.

    Example

    While the subjunctive mood expresses wishes or possibilities, the indicative is the standard form for asserting facts in English.

    Usage

    In linguistic contexts, it typically modifies the noun 'mood'.
    • declarative
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  1. 3 the indicative mood (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Science

    the category of verb forms used for facts and statements.

    the indicative mood or a verb form belonging to it. Uncountable when referring to the mood itself; countable when referring to a specific instance.

    Example

    Most of the sentences we use every day are in the indicative.

    Example

    The student struggled to distinguish between the indicative and the conditional when translating the complex legal document.

Origin

From Middle French indicatif, from Late Latin indicātīvus. By surface analysis, indicate + -ive.

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