Mood Verbals  

Mood is the manner or mood in which the action indicated by the verb is expressed. 

In English, we use three types of moods: 

• Indicative Mood 
• Imperative Mood 
• Subjunctive Mood 

Indicative Mood

The indicative mood is used: 

1. To make a statement of fact, like: 

• Roger goes to the gym every day. 
• Tim writes illegibly. 
• Mr. Taylor teaches me music. 
• The kid is smart. 

2. To ask a question, like: 

• Are you alright? 
• Did you call Jamie? 
• Have you read the book? 

The indicative mood can also be used to express a supposition that is assumed as a fact, like: 

• If [=assuming as a fact that] I am to do this; it shall not make me look like a loser. 
• If it snows, I shall go skiing, [Assuming as a fact that it will snow, etc.] 
• If he is responsible for this, he deserves to be punished. [ Assuming as a fact that he is the owner, etc.] 

Imperative Mood

The imperative mood is used to indicate; 

1. A command, like: 

• Stay there. 
• Take out your notebooks. 
• Come here. 

2. An exhortation, like: 

• Be honest. 
• Take care of yourself. 
• Try to do well. 

3. An entreaty or prayer, like:  

• Have mercy upon us. 
• Give us this day our daily bread. 

The verbs that appear in italics in each of these sentences is said to be in the imperative mood. 

PS: 

1. The imperative mood should strictly be used only in the second person. 
2. The subject of a verb that is in the imperative mood (you) is usually omitted. 

Subjunctive Mood 

The subjunctive mood doesn’t exist as commonly as the other two. It scarcely exists in present-day English. 

It exists as present subjunctive and past subjunctive. 

The present subjunctive is used: 

1. In certain traditional phrases, where it denotes a wish or hope, like: 

• God bless you! 
• Heaven help us! 
• God save the King! 

2. In formal English, a noun clause that is dependent on a verb and expresses a desire, intention, resolution, and so on, like: 

• I recommend that the subscription be reduced to $5. 

• It is advised that a ring road be built to reduce the traffic block. 

The past subjunctive occurs: 

1. After the verb wish, to express a situation which is contrary to fact or unreal, like: 

• I wish I were a billionaire. (were is used for all persons in the subjunctive) 
• I wish I knew the answer. 
• I wish my mom were here. 

2. After if, to indicate unreality or improbability in the present, like: 

• If I were the head, I would fire him. 
• If we started now, we would be in time. 

3. After as if/ as though, to express improbability or unreality, like: 

• He orders me as if he were in my house. 
• He acts as though he were drunk.