Something that points to or suggests something else; in grammar, a verb form that states facts or makes simple statements about reality.
From Latin 'indicativus' (pointing out), from 'indicare' (to point out), combining 'in-' (toward) and 'dicare' (to declare). The grammatical meaning developed because this verb mood 'points out' facts.
Grammar has a cool hidden logic: the 'indicative' mood 'indicates' facts, the 'subjunctive' mood 'subjects' ideas to conditions, the 'imperative' gives 'imperatives'—each name describes exactly what the mood does.
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