9. Moods of the verb

Verb has mood that indicates the attitude as conveyed in a sentence by a speaker or writer. Verbs have three moods. A verb in each of these moods expresses the following:

  1. indicative mood : simple statement of a fact
  2. imperative mood : command
  3. subjunctive mood : imagination or wish

1. Indicative mood

The indicative mood  makes statements of fact or what is believed to be fact. For example, she believes that mermaids exist in the lake. True or not, she believes her statement to be true. The verb believes  is in the indicative mood, indicating her belief in the existence of mermaids in the lake. The indicative mood of a verb also asks questions. It is the most frequently used to make simple statements of fact and ask questions.

Examples:

  • The meal is delicious.
    (It's a fact that the meal I ate just now was delicious.)
  • She drives to work every working day.
    (It is true that she drives to work every working day.)
  • Have you done your homework?
    (When the verb asks a question, it is in the indicative mood.)
  • Do you believe in ghost?
    (The verb is in the indicative mood for asking a question.)

2. Imperative mood

The imperative mood of a verb is used to express a command which can be positive or negative or give an order. When written, the imperative is accompanied by an exclamation mark (!) at the end of the sentence or word. The implied subject of a verb in an imperative statement is understood to be always the second person you . It therefore uses the second person.

Examples:

Imperative in positive form :

  • Pay attention to what I say! (You pay attention to what I say!)
  • Leave her alone!
  • Wait there, not here! 

Imperative has its negative form :

  • Don't  touch it! It's poisonous!
  • Mustn't  say such silly things.
  • Shouldn't step on the grass!

The imperative may also be used to express an instruction without the use of the exclamation point to signify it's less emphatic.

Examples:

  • Make way.
  • Lock the door behind you.
  • Swallow three of these pills after dinner. 

3. Subjunctive mood

The subjunctive mood of a verb expresses what is imagined or wished, or a statement or hypothetical situation that is contrary to fact because it cannot be true, and also demands, recommendations, suppositions, etc in clauses introduced by that .

Examples:

  • I wish I  were  a billionaire. (This is a wish, so were  is used in the subjunctive mood.)
  • If  Henry were  alive, he would be among us celebrating this occasion.
    (This is a conditional statement as Henry is not alive. The statement is introduced by the conjunction if  to indicate the condition is contrary to fact.)

We use the subjunctive mood when making hypothetical statements beginning with if .

Examples:

  • If he were  alive, he wouldn't be happy with what you are doing.
    (This is a wish, so were  is used in the subjunctive mood.)
  • If I were  you, I wouldn't do a stupid thing like that.
    (When a statement like this is contrary to fact as I cannot be you, we use the subjunctive were .)
  • If she were  here now, she would join in the singing.
    (A supposition that requires the use of were  in the subjunctive mood.).

When the subjunctive mood of a verb is used with the present tense third person singular, the letter  –s that is typically added to the end of the singular verb is dropped.  Clauses containing subjunctives are commonly introduced by the word  that  such as ask that , demand that , insist that , recommend that , request that , suggest that , wish that , etc.

Examples:

  • She asked that  her husband stay  behind with the baby.
  • They demand that  he come  at once.
  • We insist that  your child stop  making that strange noise.
  • The attendees request that  she speak  louder.
  • His friends recommend that  he get  a new wife.
  • I suggest that  you be  silent when I’m talking.

Other clauses containing subjunctives are introduced by if , as if , as though , or supposing .

Examples:

  • If  a giant serpent were  to inhabit the lake, it would become a popular tourist attraction.
  • She behaved as if  she were  the owner of my house.
  • Her mother dressed as though  she were a young girl.
  • We are prepared to join the search party, supposing  he were not found by this afternoon.

Subjunctive mood is used to follow expressions that begin with it is crucial that , it is desirable that , it is important that , it is necessary that , etc

Examples:

  • It is crucial that  the new leadership make the right decisions for an economic recovery.
  • It is desirable that  the person joining our company be skilled  at cooking.
  • It is important that  the coach be replaced  before the next season.
  • It is essential that  he receive  a fair hearing.

The verb be  is followed by past tense or adjective in the subjunctive clause.

Examples:

  • He asks that  she be awake  during the lecture.
  • We demand that  the proposed project be explained  to the members.
  • The Manager instructed that  all be present  at next week’s meeting.
  • She requested that  her appointment with the doctor be postponed .