What is the past tense of "indicate"?

The past simple of "indicate" is "indicated". The high sales figures indicate strong customer interest in our product.

What is the past participle of "indicate"?

The past participle of "indicate" is "indicated". Use it after have/has/had: "I have indicated".

What is a common mistake with "indicate"?

Wrong: "The symptoms indicate to a serious illness.". Correct: "The symptoms indicate a serious illness.". Indicate takes direct object; use 'to' only with people.

How do you pronounce "indicate"?

/ˈɪndɪkeɪt/ — Stress first syllable: IN-di-kate. Not in-di-KATE.

Conjugation of "Indicate" — All Forms, Examples, and Usage

Q: Is "indicate" regular or irregular?

"Indicate" is a regular English verb. Both past simple and past participle are formed by adding -ed.

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All 12 Tenses of "Indicate"

Quick reference table — every tense form of "indicate" with the first-person example and a link to the grammar guide for that tense.

Tense	Example (I)	Quick rule
Simple Present	`I indicate`	Used for habits, facts, routines, and permanent situations. Full rule →
Simple Past	`I indicated`	Used for completed actions at a specific time in the past. Full rule →
Simple Future	`I will indicate`	Used for predictions, decisions made at the moment, and promises. Full rule →
Present Continuous	`I am indicating`	Used for actions happening right now or temporary situations. Full rule →
Past Continuous	`I was indicating`	Used for actions in progress at a specific moment in the past. Full rule →
Future Continuous	`I will be indicating`	Used for actions that will be in progress at a specific future time. Full rule →
Present Perfect	`I have indicated`	Used for past actions with present relevance, life experiences, or unfinished situations. Full rule →
Past Perfect	`I had indicated`	Used for an action that was completed before another past action. Full rule →
Future Perfect	`I will have indicated`	Used for an action that will be completed before a specific future time. Full rule →
Present Perfect Continuous	`I have been indicating`	Used for actions that started in the past and continue now, with focus on duration. Full rule →
Past Perfect Continuous	`I had been indicating`	Used for ongoing actions in the past that continued up to another past moment. Full rule →
Future Perfect Continuous	`I will have been indicating`	Used for actions that will have been ongoing up until a specific future time. Full rule →

Past Tense of "Indicate" — Indicated

The past simple of "indicate" is "indicated" — formed by adding "-ed". Use it for actions that were completed at a specific time in the past, such as "yesterday", "last week", or "in 2020". For the full grammar of this tense, see our simple past tense guide.

She indicated the correct answer by raising her hand. B1

Past Participle of "Indicate" — Indicated

The past participle of "indicate" is "indicated" — the same form as the past simple, since "indicate" is a regular verb. Use it after "have/has/had" for perfect tenses ("I have indicated") and after "be" for passive voice ("It was indicated").

She indicated the correct answer by raising her hand. B1

Is "Indicate" Regular or Irregular?

"Indicate" is a regular English verb. Its past simple and past participle are both formed by adding "-ed" to give "indicated". The 3rd-person singular present is "indicates" and the gerund/present participle is "indicating".

Conjugation pattern: regular (add -ed)

How to Pronounce "Indicate" and Its Forms

Indicate: /ˈɪndɪkeɪt/ — Stress pattern: Oos

Stress first syllable: IN-di-kate. Not in-di-KATE.

Common mispronunciation of "indicate"

Students often stress final syllable: in-di-KATE.

Syllable breakdown: in · di · cate

How to Use "Indicate" — Common Grammar Patterns

Use indicate when presenting evidence or signs of something.

S + indicate + that-clause
S + indicate + object + to + person

Example Sentences with "Indicate" in Different Tenses

Simple Present: The high sales figures indicate strong customer interest in our product. B2
Simple Past: She indicated the correct answer by raising her hand. B1

Common Collocations with "Indicate"

indicate a problem
indicate the way
indicate agreement
indicate progress

When to Use "Indicate" vs Similar Verbs

"indicate" vs "imply"

Indicate shows outwardly; imply hints without stating directly.

Smart synonyms — when to use each one

show — for general pointing out in everyday situations
suggest — when evidence hints indirectly without proving
demonstrate — for clearly proving through visible evidence

Antonyms: conceal, hide

Common Mistakes with "Indicate"

Wrong: She indicate often.
Correct: She indicates often.
Add "s" to the verb when the subject is third-person singular (he/she/it).

Origin and Etymology of "Indicate"

From Latin indicāre: in- (toward) + dicāre (make known).

Other Forms of "Indicate"

Noun: indication
Adjective: indicative

Conjugation Tables for "Indicate"

Negative Forms

Simple present: I do not indicate · He does not indicate
Simple past: I did not indicate · She did not indicate
Present perfect: I have not indicated · He has not indicated

Question Forms

Simple present: Do you indicate? · Does he indicate?
Simple past: Did you indicate?
Present perfect: Have you indicated?

Passive Voice (where applicable)

Simple present passive: It is indicated
Simple past passive: It was indicated
Present perfect passive: It has been indicated

Frequently Asked Questions About "Indicate"

Is "indicate" regular or irregular?: "indicate" is a regular verb. Add -ed for past simple and past participle: "indicated".
What is the past tense of "indicate"?: The simple past of "indicate" is "indicated".
When do I use simple present vs present continuous with "indicate"?: Use simple present for habits, facts, and routines: "I indicate every day." Use present continuous for actions happening right now: "I am indicating right now."