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Grammatical Moods of Verb

The document explains the three grammatical moods of verbs in English: indicative, imperative, and subjunctive. The indicative mood states facts or asks questions, the imperative mood gives commands or requests, and the subjunctive mood expresses wishes, hypothetical situations, and demands. It also details the forms and functions of the subjunctive mood, along with common verbs and expressions that require it.

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27 views15 pages

Grammatical Moods of Verb

The document explains the three grammatical moods of verbs in English: indicative, imperative, and subjunctive. The indicative mood states facts or asks questions, the imperative mood gives commands or requests, and the subjunctive mood expresses wishes, hypothetical situations, and demands. It also details the forms and functions of the subjunctive mood, along with common verbs and expressions that require it.

Uploaded by

amarshivani66
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Moods of Verb

Definition:The mood of a verb in English conveys


the attitude or intention of the speaker toward the
action or state expressed by the verb. Essentially, it
reflects whether the speaker views the action as a
statement of fact, a command, a possibility, or a
wish.

Basically there are three grammatical moods,e.g.,


Indicative, Imperative and Subjunctive.

(A) Indicative Mood:​

The indicative mood is a verb form used to state


facts or opinions or ask questions.

It's the most common mood in English.


Examples:

1-She goes to the mall every day.

2-The sun rises in the east.

3-Did you see that movie?

(B) Imperative Mood:​

The imperative mood is used to give commands,


requests, suggestion or instructions.

Examples:
1-Open the window.(Command)

2-Please pass the phone. (Request)

3-Don't forget your keys. (Instruction)

4-Drink more water than usual. (Suggestion)

C- Subjunctive Mood:​

The subjunctive mood in English is used to


express ideas that are not necessarily grounded in
reality, such as wishes, hypothetical situations,
suggestions, demands, or conditions that are
contrary to fact. It often expresses uncertainty,
possibility, necessity, or a desire for something to
happen.
Note:

It's often used in dependent clauses following verbs


like "wish," "suggest," or "recommend."

Examples:

1-I wish she were here. (Wish)

2-If I were rich,I would travel the world.


(Hypothetical situation)

3-It's important that they be here on time.


(Demand)

4-I suggest that Sandeep study harder.


(Suggestion)
[Key Functions of the Subjunctive Mood]

1.Wishes and Desires:

The subjunctive is often used after verbs and


expressions that convey a wish, desire, or
preference.

Examples:

1- I wish that my sister were here.

2-I wish I were taller.

3-She hopes that it be sunny tomorrow.

Note: In the past subjunctive, were is used for all


persons ( all subjects ), even when talking about a
singular subject. This is a key feature of the English
subjunctive.

2.Hypothetical or Contrary-to-Fact Situations

The subjunctive is used to talk about situations that


are not real but are imagined or contrary to fact.
This often appears in "if" clauses.

Examples:

1-If I were you, I would study harder. (Contrary to


reality; I am not you.)

2-If he were richer, he would buy a bigger house.

3.Suggestions, Recommendations, or
Requests
The subjunctive is used after certain verbs,
adjectives, and nouns that express a suggestion,
necessity, request, or recommendation.

Examples:

1-It is important that he be here on time.

2-I suggest that she work harder for the test.

3-The doctor recommended that he take the


medication on time.

4-It is necessary that she/he attend the meeting.

Note:The verb form remains in its base form, even


for third-person singular subjects (he, she, it).
4.Demands or Commands

The subjunctive mood is used in sentences that


issue commands or demands, often after verbs like
demand, insist, or require.

Examples:

1-I demand that he be honest with me."

2-The teacher insists that you finish your


homework.

3-The company requires that all employees submit


reports on time.

5.After Certain Expressions and Conjunctions


The subjunctive is used after phrases expressing
necessity, urgency, or importance, such as: as if, as
though, it is essential that, and if only.

Examples:

1-It is essential that she be here before 9 AM.

3-He acts as if he were the boss.

3-If only I had more time!

4-He acts as though he were the boss

[Forms of the Subjunctive]


1.Present Indefinite Subjunctive

The present subjunctive is formed using the base


form of the verb (without "to" and without any
conjugation for person or number).

Examples:

1-I recommend that he study hard.

2-It’s important that they be here on time.

3-She requests that he leave the room.

2-Present perfect subjunctive


3.Past Subjunctive

The past subjunctive is often used in hypothetical


or contrary-to-fact statements. It is mostly
represented by the verb were regardless of the
subject.

Examples:

1- If I were you, I would talk to her.

2-I wish he were here.

4.Past Perfect Subjunctive

The past perfect subjunctive is used for expressing


regret or unrealized actions in the past:
Examples:

1-I wish I had known about the meeting earlier.

2-If only he had told me the truth.

2-I wish I had known about the event earlier.

[When not to use subjunctive mood]

1.In Conditional Statements with Likely Outcomes

If the condition is likely or real (using "if" clauses


that refer to actual situations), we use the
indicative mood instead.

Example:
1-If I study hard, I will pass the test."

Note: This expresses a likely situation, so no


subjunctive is needed.

Common Verbs and Expressions that demand


for the Subjunctive mood.

Verbs: demand, suggest, recommend, insist,


request, prefer, ask, urge, propose, advise, decree,
desire, beg, decide,dictate, intend, require, resolve
Adjectives: necessary, important, crucial,
essential, vital,urgent,imperative, essential,
uncertain,doubtful disbelieve

Nouns: suggestion, recommendation, demand,


wish, desire.

Impersonal expressions:

It is important that

It is essential that

It is necessary that

It is vital that

It is better that
It is strange that

It is urgent that

Expressions of necessity or requirement:

It is required that

It is needed that

It is demanded that

It is suggested that

Examples:

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