Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Serving as a sign or indication of something: "indicative" means clearly pointing out, revealing, or suggesting a particular fact, condition, or quality.
   • Relating to a grammatical mood: In grammar, "indicative" describes the mood of a verb used to state an objective fact, ask a question, or express an opinion as if it were a fact.

2. Noun:

   • The indicative mood: In grammar, "indicative" is the name for the verb mood used for ordinary statements and questions that present an action or state as a fact.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:

  • His silence was indicative of his disapproval. (His silence clearly showed his disapproval.)
  • A high fever can be indicative of an infection. (A high fever can be a sign of an infection.)
  • In the sentence "She walks to work," the verb "walks" is in the indicative mood. (It states a factual action.)

• Noun:

  • The verb in that statement is in the indicative. (The verb form is used to state a fact.)
  • Most of our everyday speech uses the indicative. (We most commonly use the mood for stating facts.)

Advanced Usage

• "indicative of": This is the most common structure when using the adjective form to mean "serving as a sign of."
  • The data is indicative of a growing trend. (The data clearly shows a growing trend.)

Variants and Related Words

• Indicate (verb): To point out, show, or suggest something.
  • The map indicates the location of the city.
• Indicator (noun): A thing that indicates or signals something.
  • Economic indicators suggest a stable market.
• Indication (noun): A sign or piece of information that indicates something.
  • There was no indication of a problem.

Synonyms

• Suggestive: Tending to suggest an idea.
• Symptomatic: Serving as a symptom or sign.
• Demonstrative: Serving to demonstrate or show something.
• Declarative (for the grammatical mood): Making a statement of fact.

Antonyms

• Unrevealing: Not revealing or showing anything.
• Subjunctive (for the grammatical mood): Relating to the verb mood used for wishes, hypotheticals, or things contrary to fact (e.g., "I wish I there").

Adjective

1. (usually followed by `of') pointing out or revealing clearly
   • actions indicative of fear
2. relating to the mood of verbs that is used simple in declarative statements
   • indicative mood

Noun

1. a mood (grammatically unmarked) that represents the act or state as an objective fact