[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/indicative/)

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# indicative

adjective (indicative); noun (the indicative, in grammar)

«indicative» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. (formal) If something is indicative of something else, it shows or suggests it: «A high temperature is indicative of an infection». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/indicative/#m1)
2. (grammar) The indicative is the ordinary form of a verb used for facts and questions, like «She runs» or «Did it rain?», as opposed to commands or wishes. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/indicative/#m2)

### In the lessons

In formal writing, exam questions and science reports it means «a sign of». In grammar and foreign-language lessons (French, Spanish) it names a verb mood. Phrases: «indicative of», «the indicative mood», «present indicative».

### Examples

- Dark clouds are often indicative of rain. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/indicative/#x1)
- (formal) His smile was indicative of his good mood. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/indicative/#x2)
- Yellow leaves can be indicative of a thirsty plant. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/indicative/#x3)
- (formal) The results are indicative of a pattern. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/indicative/#x4)
- In French we learned the present indicative. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/indicative/#x5)
- «I walk» is in the indicative mood. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/indicative/#x6)
- The indicative is used to state facts. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/indicative/#x7)
- Missing homework is indicative of a busy week, the teacher joked. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/indicative/#x8)
- In later times she appears blindfolded, and stands on a ball or wheel, indicative of the fickleness and ever-revolving {148} changes of fortune. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/indicative/#x9)

### Note

Say «in-DIK-uh-tiv». Usually followed by «of». Formal word; in speech use «a sign of». In the UK, a car's «indicator» flashes to show which way it will turn.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «indicative» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/indicative/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«indicative» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/indicative.html) on Mova free.