# indicative

/ˌɪnˈdɪkətɪv/ (US) · /ɪndˈɪkətˌɪv/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/indicative
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. serving as a sign

adjective · CEFR B2

showing or suggesting that something is happening or exists.

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

- The sudden drop in sales is indicative of a larger problem with the economy.
- The persistent silence from the negotiations was widely seen as indicative of a fundamental breakdown in communication between the two parties.

### 2. grammar mood

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

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

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

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

### 3. the indicative mood

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the category of verb forms used for facts and statements.

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

- Most of the sentences we use every day are in the indicative.
- The student struggled to distinguish between the indicative and the conditional when translating the complex legal document.

## Examples

- His quick reply is indicative of his interest in the job.
- The sudden drop in consumer spending is indicative of a broader economic slowdown affecting the region.
- While the initial survey results are merely indicative rather than conclusive, they suggest a significant shift in public opinion regarding the proposed environmental legislation.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.