Mood is one of the categories into which verbs are divided to show the attitude or viewpoint that a particular verb indicates, primarily divided into the indicative mood, the imperative mood, and the subjunctive mood.
What is Mood in English Grammar?
Mood is one of the categories into which verbs are divided. These moods are called the indicative mood, the imperative mood and the subjunctive mood. The word mood in this sense acquired its meaning because it was said to show the attitude or viewpoint that a particular verb indicated.
What is the Indicative Mood?
The indicative mood of a verb is used to make a factual statement, as in:
- They have three children.
In the following sentences the underlined words are verbs in the indicative mood:
- The parking restrictions apply on working days.
- It snowed last night.
- The plane leaves at 7 a.m.
- I start my new job tomorrow.
- The play at the Lyceum is very good.
- We give generous discounts to members of staff.
- We are losing money on this venture.
What is the Imperative Mood?
The imperative mood of a verb is used to give orders or instructions or to make a request, as in:
- Be quiet!
- Shut the door behind you.
- Take care!
- Bring us a copy of the menu, please.
What is the Subjunctive Mood?
The subjunctive mood was originally a term used in Latin grammar where it was used to express a wish, supposition, doubt, improbability or other non-factual statement. The subjunctive mood in English is used to express hypothetical statements, as in:
- If I were you I would forget all about it.
The word were is in the subjunctive mood. The subjunctive mood is also used in certain formal clauses beginning with that, as in:
- I demand that she pay me in full immediately.
It is also used in certain fixed expressions, such as So be it!
In the following sentences the words underlined form examples of the subjunctive mood:
- If he were to go down on bended knee I would still not forgive him.
- If I were you I would leave now.
- I insist that he apologize immediately.
- Be that as it may, he should still be finished.
- God save the Queen!
- I suggest that he be told of our decision right away.
Modern Use of the Subjunctive Mood
The subjunctive mood can sound rather stilted in modern usage and many people either ignore it, perhaps being ignorant of its true use, or else choose to avoid it.
For example
- I insist that he apologizes immediately
instead of
- I insist that he apologize immediately
is considered quite acceptable, especially in all but the most formal contexts.
Key Takeaways
- Mood categorizes verbs to show the speaker's attitude or viewpoint.
- The indicative mood makes factual statements.
- The imperative mood gives orders, instructions, or requests.
- The subjunctive mood expresses hypothetical statements, wishes, or demands, though modern usage often relaxes these rules.
Quick Practice
Test your understanding by answering the following questions in the comments below:
- Which mood is used in the sentence "Shut the door behind you"?
- Write a sentence using the subjunctive mood to express a hypothetical situation involving "were".
Frequently Asked Questions
What is mood in grammar?
Mood is a verb category that indicates the attitude or viewpoint of the speaker toward what is being said, categorized mainly into indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods.
What is the difference between indicative and imperative mood?
The indicative mood is used to make factual statements, whereas the imperative mood is used to give orders, instructions, or make requests.
Is the subjunctive mood still used today?
Yes, though it can sound formal or stilted, and many speakers substitute it with regular indicative verb forms in everyday contexts unless writing very formally.