indicative
Indicative means something is a sign or a clue that shows what is happening or what is true.
Explanation at your level:
This word is a bit hard for beginners. It means a sign. If you see smoke, it is a sign of fire. We say: 'The smoke is indicative of fire.' It just means it shows us the truth.
You use indicative when you see something that acts like a clue. If a student gets a high grade, that is indicative of their hard work. It is a formal way to say 'shows' or 'proves'.
When you are writing an essay, indicative is a great word to use. Instead of saying 'this shows,' you can say 'this is indicative of.' It makes your writing sound more professional and academic.
In B2 English, you start using indicative to describe trends or symptoms. It is often used with 'of.' For example, 'The rise in prices is indicative of inflation.' It adds nuance to your analysis.
At the C1 level, you recognize that indicative is about evidence and logical deduction. You use it to connect observations to conclusions. It is common in reports, news articles, and formal debates where you need to support your claims with signs.
Mastering indicative involves understanding its role in linguistics (the indicative mood) and its subtle use in literary criticism. You might use it to describe a character's actions as indicative of their inner turmoil, showing a deep command of descriptive language and analytical nuance.
30초 단어
- Means serving as a sign or indication.
- Always used with the preposition 'of'.
- Common in academic and professional writing.
- Different from 'vindictive' (revengeful).
Think of the word indicative as a fancy way of saying 'a sign of.' When you see a dark, stormy cloud, you might say it is indicative of rain. It is essentially a pointer that helps you understand the bigger picture.
In everyday life, we use this word to describe evidence. If a company's sales are dropping, that is indicative of a bigger problem in the market. It is a very useful word because it sounds professional and precise.
Grammatically, it is a bit different. If you say 'The dog barks,' you are using the indicative mood because you are stating a simple fact. It is the mood we use for 90% of our daily conversations!
The word indicative comes from the Latin word indicare, which means 'to point out' or 'to proclaim.' It is built from in- (into) and dicare (to make known).
It entered English through Old French in the 15th century. Back then, it was mostly used in legal or formal settings to describe evidence that 'pointed' to the truth of a crime or a contract.
Over the centuries, the word kept its core meaning of 'pointing toward.' It is fascinating how a word that started as a way to 'proclaim' something has become a standard term for describing subtle signs and symptoms in modern science and linguistics.
You will hear indicative most often in formal or academic settings. It is a favorite word for journalists, scientists, and analysts because it sounds objective and evidence-based.
The most common partner for this word is the preposition of. You will almost always say something is 'indicative of' something else. For example: 'His silence was indicative of his disappointment.'
While you could use it in casual conversation, it might sound a bit stiff. If you are talking to friends, you might prefer saying 'shows' or 'is a sign of' instead, unless you are trying to sound extra smart or serious.
While 'indicative' isn't usually the star of an idiom, it fits into phrases that describe proof. 1. Indicative of the times: Reflecting the current state of society. 2. A clear indicator: A strong sign. 3. Point to the fact: Synonymous with being indicative. 4. Evidence of: Often used interchangeably. 5. A tell-tale sign: A very obvious indicator.
The word is pronounced in-DIK-uh-tiv. The stress is on the second syllable. In British English, the 't' is crisp, while in American English, it might sound like a soft 'd' (a flap t).
Grammatically, it is an adjective, so it describes nouns. It does not have a plural form. It is often used in the pattern: [Something] is indicative of [something else].
Rhyming words include vindictive, predicative, and addictive. Note that while vindictive sounds similar, it means something completely different (seeking revenge), so be careful not to mix them up!
Fun Fact
It shares a root with 'dictator', someone who 'proclaims' rules.
Pronunciation Guide
Clear 't' sound.
Soft 't' sound like a 'd'.
Common Errors
- stressing the wrong syllable
- pronouncing it as 'in-di-KAY-tive'
- confusing the ending with 'active'
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Medium
Requires formal context
Sounds formal
Easy to hear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
고급
Grammar to Know
Adjective + Preposition
indicative of
Verb Moods
indicative mood
Formal Writing
using precise adjectives
Examples by Level
The dark clouds are indicative of rain.
Clouds show rain.
Adjective + of
The smile is indicative of joy.
His red face is indicative of anger.
The fast car is indicative of speed.
The green leaf is indicative of life.
The cold air is indicative of winter.
The loud noise is indicative of a party.
The empty plate is indicative of hunger.
High test scores are indicative of good study habits.
The long line is indicative of the store's popularity.
His firm handshake is indicative of confidence.
The quiet room is indicative of focus.
The dry ground is indicative of a drought.
The bright colors are indicative of spring.
The heavy traffic is indicative of rush hour.
The warm sunlight is indicative of a nice day.
The sudden change in policy is indicative of a new strategy.
Her hesitation was indicative of her uncertainty.
These symptoms are indicative of a common cold.
The low turnout is indicative of a lack of interest.
The strong sales figures are indicative of a healthy market.
His polite tone is indicative of his upbringing.
The crumbling walls are indicative of neglect.
The rapid growth is indicative of success.
The stock market crash was indicative of deeper economic instability.
His choice of words is indicative of his academic background.
The survey results are indicative of a shift in public opinion.
The lack of communication is indicative of a breakdown in trust.
The vibrant street art is indicative of the city's creativity.
The increase in complaints is indicative of poor service.
The company's expansion is indicative of its ambition.
The team's unity is indicative of their shared goals.
The protagonist's recurring dreams are indicative of his repressed trauma.
The subtle shift in her tone was indicative of hidden resentment.
The architectural style is indicative of the region's colonial past.
The data patterns are indicative of a systemic error in the software.
The diplomatic tension is indicative of underlying geopolitical friction.
The artist's minimalist approach is indicative of a desire for clarity.
The sudden resignation is indicative of internal political strife.
The environmental changes are indicative of long-term climate shifts.
The archaic syntax is indicative of the text's medieval provenance.
The subtle irony in the narrative is indicative of the author's cynicism.
The economic indicators are indicative of a looming recessionary cycle.
The cultural shift is indicative of a broader societal transformation.
The stylistic choices are indicative of the period's aesthetic values.
The patient's physiological response is indicative of a rare condition.
The legislative deadlock is indicative of a deeply polarized government.
The philosophical debate is indicative of the era's intellectual fervor.
동의어
반의어
자주 쓰는 조합
Idioms & Expressions
"a tell-tale sign"
a sign that reveals the truth
The mud on his shoes was a tell-tale sign.
neutral"written all over"
obvious to everyone
Guilt was written all over his face.
casual"point to"
to suggest or indicate
All clues point to the butler.
neutral"a red flag"
a warning sign of a problem
His anger is a red flag.
casual"speak volumes"
to provide a lot of information
Her silence spoke volumes.
neutral"the writing on the wall"
a clear sign of future failure
He saw the writing on the wall.
literaryEasily Confused
similar sound
vindictive means revengeful
He was vindictive, not indicative.
same root
indicate is a verb
I indicate the path.
same root
indication is a noun
There is an indication.
same root
indicatory is rare
It is an indicatory sign.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + is + indicative + of + noun
The heat is indicative of summer.
Subject + remains + indicative + of + noun
The trend remains indicative of growth.
Subject + was + indicative + of + noun
The sign was indicative of danger.
Adverb + indicative + of + noun
Clearly indicative of the truth.
It + is + indicative + of + noun
It is indicative of a problem.
어휘 가족
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
관련
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
자주 하는 실수
The word always takes 'of', not 'to'.
Preposition error.
Indicative is an adjective.
They sound similar but mean different things.
It sounds too formal for daily chat.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a giant 'I' pointing at a clue.
When Native Speakers Use It
In meetings when analyzing data.
Cultural Insight
Used in formal British English frequently.
Grammar Shortcut
Always check for 'of' after the word.
Say It Right
Focus on the 'DIK' sound.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't say 'indicative to'.
Did You Know?
It comes from Latin for 'to proclaim'.
Study Smart
Write 5 sentences about your day.
Writing Tip
Use it to replace 'shows' in essays.
Context Clue
Look for evidence-based sentences.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
IN-DIK-a-tive: IN-DIK (like 'indicate') + a-tive.
Visual Association
A finger pointing at a clue.
Word Web
챌린지
Find three things in your room that are indicative of your hobbies.
어원
Latin
Original meaning: To point out or proclaim
문화적 맥락
None, it is a neutral word.
Used heavily in academic, legal, and formal business contexts.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
at work
- indicative of performance
- indicative of progress
- indicative of success
at school
- indicative of learning
- indicative of effort
- indicative of skill
in science
- indicative of a reaction
- indicative of a result
- indicative of a change
in news
- indicative of a trend
- indicative of public mood
- indicative of crisis
Conversation Starters
"What is something that is indicative of a good day for you?"
"Do you think high test scores are always indicative of intelligence?"
"What is a sign in your city that is indicative of the change of seasons?"
"Can you think of a behavior that is indicative of a kind person?"
"Is the current state of the economy indicative of future success?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a sign you saw today that was indicative of something important.
Describe a person's trait that is indicative of their personality.
Reflect on a time when an event was indicative of a major life change.
Explain why you think certain trends are indicative of modern society.
자주 묻는 질문
8 질문No, it is an adjective. The verb is 'indicate'.
Always 'of'.
You can, but it might sound a bit formal.
It is the verb form used to state facts.
It is common in professional writing.
No, adjectives don't have plurals.
It is neutral; it depends on the context.
in-DIK-uh-tiv.
셀프 테스트
The dark clouds are ___ of rain.
It shows a sign.
Which word means 'a sign of'?
Definition match.
Indicative is a verb.
It is an adjective.
Word
뜻
Word family matching.
Correct structure: Subject + is + indicative + of + noun.
His silence was ___ of his anger.
Needs an adjective.
What is the indicative mood?
Linguistic definition.
Indicative is always followed by 'to'.
It is followed by 'of'.
The ___ evidence was indicative of guilt.
Contextual fit.
Word
뜻
Grammatical category matching.
점수: /10
Summary
Indicative is a formal way to say that something serves as a sign or clue of a larger truth.
- Means serving as a sign or indication.
- Always used with the preposition 'of'.
- Common in academic and professional writing.
- Different from 'vindictive' (revengeful).
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a giant 'I' pointing at a clue.
When Native Speakers Use It
In meetings when analyzing data.
Cultural Insight
Used in formal British English frequently.
Grammar Shortcut
Always check for 'of' after the word.
예시
The messy desk was indicative of his chaotic way of working.
Related Content
Language 관련 단어
abbreviate
C1글자 일부를 생략해서 단어나 문장을 짧게 줄이는 것을 말해. 공간을 절약하거나 효율적으로 표현하기 위해 주로 사용해.
ablative
B2A grammatical case used in certain languages, such as Latin, to indicate movement away from, the source, or the instrument of an action. In English, these meanings are typically expressed using prepositions like 'from', 'with', or 'by' rather than specific noun endings.
abphonure
C1A technical term in linguistics and phonetics referring to the intentional or accidental distortion of speech sounds, leading to a loss of phonetic clarity or a shift in meaning. It is often used to describe the degradation of sound quality in specific acoustic environments or the stylistic blurring of words in poetry and song.
abregous
C1To summarize or condense a complex argument, document, or process into its most essential components. This verb is typically used when the goal is to provide clarity or speed up decision-making without losing the core meaning.
abridge
C1책이나 연설 같은 글을 핵심 내용은 유지하면서 불필요한 부분을 줄이는 거야. 권리나 특권을 제한한다는 뜻으로도 쓰여.
accentuation
B2The act of emphasizing something or making it more prominent and noticeable to the observer. It also refers to the placement of marks or stress on specific syllables in linguistics to indicate correct pronunciation.
acerbic
C1말하거나 글을 쓰는 방식이 날카롭고 비판적입니다. 재치 있지만 상처를 주는 방식입니다.
acrimonious
C1말이나 관계 등에서 분노와 씁쓸함이 가득 찬 상태를 말합니다. 매우 적대적인 논쟁을 묘사할 때 쓰입니다.
acronym
B2약어(acronym)는 여러 단어의 첫 글자들을 따서 만든 단어로, NASA처럼 하나의 단어처럼 읽히는 것을 말해요.
adage
C1오랜 세월 동안 전해 내려온 짧은 격언으로, 삶의 지혜나 보편적인 진리를 담고 있어.
