indicative

The indicative (from the Latin modus indicativus "to the statement, to the display suitable mode" to the Latin indicare "to show, to bring forward") is, in addition to the imperative (mode) and the subjunctive , one of the three modes of the verb in German and Latin. The indicative is intended to represent reality . "It is, so to speak, the normal mode in all texts." The indicative stands for an actual event. It is available in active and passive . In contrast to the other two modes, it exists in all human languages ​​and is the mode that is most commonly used in German.

Examples for the indicative:

• " He's walking down the street." (Active)
• " It was found that it has proven itself." (Passive)

Although the indicative, grammatically speaking, stands for an actual event, the sentence statement does not have to correspond to reality. This can be seen, for example, in statements about the future:

• "When I come back, I'll massage her."

Web links

Wiktionary: Indicative  - explanations of meanings, word origins, synonyms, translations

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Duden , Volume 4: The grammar . 4th edition. 1984, p. 155.