A grammatical mood denotes the mode or manner in which a statement is made by the verb, shaping the sentence structure and expressing the speaker's attitude toward reality.
What Are the Types of Grammatical Mood?
There are three primary moods in English grammar: Indicative, Imperative, and Subjunctive.
NOTE: Formerly the Infinitive also was called a mood; but some modern grammarians do not regard it as such, because it "merely names the action in an indefinite way, without reference to the mode or manner."
How to Use the Indicative Mood
The Indicative Mood is used for specific functions in syntax and sentence structure:
- (a) To state a fact: I do. He goes. He does not go.
- (b) To ask questions: Is he ill? Do you like it ?
- (c) To express a supposition which is taken as a fact: If he goes there he will be punished (taking it as a fact that he will go there). If it rains you must not come (taking it as a fact that it will rain).
How to Use the Imperative Mood
The Imperative Mood is used only in the present tense and in the Second Person:
- (a) To give orders: Go there. (Go you there). Sit down (Sit you down).
- (b) To make request: Come in, please.
- (c) To advise : Do not tell a lie. Be steady.
- (d) To entreat Save me. Help! Have pity on us.
- (e) Sometimes to express a supposition: Read (if you read), and you will learn. Move (-unless you move), or you die.
- (f) Sometimes, absolutely: Give me some money, say fifty rupees.
How to Use the Subjunctive Mood
(1) The Subjunctive Mood is used to express:
- (a) A condition or supposition contrary to fact: If I were you (i.e., but I am not) I should not do it. Had he been present, he would have opposed you. 'Were he here, I would tell him this.' Sometimes the condition is expressed in the Imperative form: 'Come weal, come woe (whether weal or woe comes), I shall go there."
- (b) A wish (this is called the optative use): Long live the King. May he be happy. Had I been there !
- (c) A proposal, intention or order not yet carried out: Resolved that the proceedings of the last meeting be confirmed. The sentence is that he be hanged by the neck.
What Are the Rules for Subjunctive Forms?
(2) The form of the subjunctive is the same in all numbers and persons.
In the present tense it is that of the Infinitive without "to": If you or he or I want; If you or Ram or I go; If you or they or we be.
In the past tense it is that of the Indicative past: If he or I went; Though you went.
But, in the case of the verb "to be," the present form is be, and the past form is were for all numbers and persons: If he or they were; Though I were.
¹NOTE: The tendency of modern English is to discard the Subjunctive. A few more examples of the Subjunctive Mood:
- If he were (not was) there, he would have come.
- I wish this were (not was) possible.
- I would go there if I were (not was) you.
- I wish I could (not can) have the things.
- If it be (not is) sin to work hard, I am a sinner.
¹ "The subjunctive mood is in its death throes, and the best thing to do is to put it out of its misery as soon as possible."-Somerset Maugham in A Writer's Note-book.
"The subjunctive mood is dying; the indicative is superseding it more and more." The Complete Plain Words by Sir Earnest Gowers.
Key Takeaways
- A grammatical mood denotes the mode or manner in which a statement is made by the verb.
- There are three primary moods: Indicative, Imperative, and Subjunctive.
- The indicative mood states facts, asks questions, or expresses factual suppositions.
- The imperative mood is restricted to the present tense and second person for commands, requests, and advice.
- The subjunctive mood expresses wishes, contrary-to-fact conditions, and pending proposals.
Quick Practice
Test your understanding of grammatical moods by dropping your answers in the comments below:
- Identify the mood in the sentence: "If I were a bird, I would fly."
- Identify the mood in the command: "Please sit down and read this book."
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a grammatical mood?
A grammatical mood is the form that a verb takes to show the attitude of the speaker towards what is being said, such as stating a fact, giving a command, or expressing a wish.
What are the three main types of moods in English?
The three main moods are the Indicative Mood, the Imperative Mood, and the Subjunctive Mood.
Is the subjunctive mood still used in modern English?
The tendency of modern English is to discard or reduce the use of the subjunctive, though it still appears in fixed expressions, wishes, and contrary-to-fact conditions.
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