Indicative Mood
Use “indicative mood” as a practical grammatical label for ordinary assertions and questions rather than as a claim about whether a statement is actually true. Different grammatical frameworks analyze mood in different ways, so keep the guide tied to conventional usage.
The indicative is the ordinary verb mood used for statements presented as information and for many questions: “She works here.” “Does she work here?” It contrasts in traditional grammar with moods such as imperative and subjunctive.
Key details
Important caveats
Boundary
Do not label a sentence non-indicative merely because it expresses uncertainty or contains words such as “probably.” Mood and certainty are separate questions.
Further guidance
Contrast
Imperatives use a distinct command/instruction pattern, while subjunctive constructions have their own restricted forms and uses.
Diagnostic
A plain statement such as “The office opens at nine” is indicative; ordinary interrogatives such as “Does the office open at nine?” are also typically treated within indicative clause patterns.
Worked Example
“They are ready” is an indicative statement. “Are they ready?” is an interrogative clause used to ask for information, not an imperative.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Indicative (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Defines the indicative as the verb mood used in ordinary statements and questions.
- Clause types (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Separates declarative/interrogative clause functions from imperative structure, supporting a guide that distinguishes indicative use from other mood/force labels without conflating them.