Using Verb Moods

A verb may be in one of three moods: the indicative mood, the imperative mood, and the subjunctive mood.

The Indicative Mood

The indicative mood is the most common and is used to express facts and opinions or to make inquiries. Most of the statements you make or you read will be in the indicative mood.

The verbs in bold in the following sentences are all in the indicative mood:

Joe picks up the boxes.

The german shepherd fetches the stick.

Charles closes the window.

The Imperative Mood

The imperative mood is also common and is used to give orders or to make requests. The imperative is identical in form to the second person indicative.

The verbs in bold in the following sentences are all in the imperative mood:

Pick up those boxes.

Fetch.

Close the window.

The Subjunctive Mood

The subjunctive mood has almost disappeared from the language and is thus more difficult to use correctly than either the indicative mood or the imperative mood. The subjunctive mood rarely appears in everyday conversation or writing and is used in a set of specific circumstances.

You form the present tense subjunctive by dropping the “s'' from the end of the third person singular, except for the verb “be''.

paints

present subjunctive: “paint''

walks

present subjunctive: “walk''

thinks

present subjunctive: “think''

present subjunctive: “be''

Except for the verb “be,'' the past tense subjunctive is indistinguishable in form from the past tense indicative. The past tense subjunctive of “be'' is “were''.

painted

past subjunctive: “painted''

walked

past subjunctive: “walked''

thought

past subjunctive: “thought''

was

past subjunctive: “were''

The subjunctive is found in a handful of traditional circumstances. For example, in the sentence “God save the Queen'', the verb “save'' is in the subjunctive mood. Similarly, in the sentence “Heaven forbid'', the verb forbid is in the subjunctive mood.

The subjunctive is usually found in complex sentences. The subjunctive mood is used in dependent clauses to express unreal conditions and in dependent clauses following verbs of wishing or requesting.

The subjunctive mood is used in a dependent clause attached to an independent clause that uses a verb such as “ask,'' “command,'' “demand,'' “insist,'' “order,'' “recommend,'' “require'' “suggest,'' or “wish.''

The subjunctive mood is also used in a dependent clause attached to an independent clause that uses an adjective that expresses urgency (such as “crucial,'' “essential'', “important,'' “imperative,'' “necessary,'' or “urgent'').

Each of the verbs in bold in the following sentences is in the subjunctive mood.

It is urgent that Harraway attend Monday's meeting.

The Member of Parliament demanded that the Minister explain the effects of the bill on the environment.

The sergeant ordered that Calvin scrub the walls of the mess hall.

We suggest that Mr. Beatty move the car out of the no parking zone.

The committee recommended that the bill be passed immediately.

If Canada were a tropical country, we would be able to grow pineapples in our backyards.

If he were more generous, he would not have chased the canvassers away from his door.

I wish that this book were still in print.

If the council members were interested in stopping street prostitution, they would urge the police to pursue customers more vigorously than they pursue the prostitutes.

Exercise: Verb Mood

Identify whether the verbs in the following sentences are in the correct mood.

1.If an elephant was to fly in this window, I'd eat your toque.

2.The chef insists that the wholesaler deliver fresh salad greens every morning.

3.It is crucial that Wendell arrives on time.

4.If this apartment was any smaller, we would suffocate.

5.The committee recommends that all three buildings are condemned.

Exercise on subjunctive mood

Subjunctive

Exercise on subjunctive

l. Her father insists that she abroad.

(A) go (B) goes (C) went (D) gone

2. The doctor suggested that the patient smoking.

(A) stop (B) stops (C) stopped (D) stoped

3. Our teacher asked that right distinguished from wrong.

(A) be (B) were (C) to be (D) was

4. I recommend that the student to the director.

(A) speak (B) speaks (C) is speaking (D) has spok

5. Is it necessary that he the examination?

(A) takes (B) has to take (C) must take (D) take

6. If he works hard , he in the end.

(A) would succeed (B) might have succeeded

7. If I you , I would go to the party with her.

(A) am (B) were (C) had been (D) be

8. If it had not rained so hard yesterday, we to Tianjin. (A)should have gone (B) should go (C) go (D) went 9. I would not change my mind if the sun in the west tomorrow morning. (A) were to rise (B) could rise (C) might rise (p) will rise

10. If he to the gate last night, I would have given him this letter (A) would come (B) comes (C) had come (D) come

11. Had you told him the truth , he some suggestions. (A)might make (B) would made (C) might have made (D) had made 12. him , I would have spoken to him. (A)Had I known (B) If I should have known (C) If I know (D) If I had been known 13 . here yesterday , you would have seen the charming girl. (A) Had you been (B) If you are (C) If you have been (D) If had been

14. it rained last night , the ground would be wet now.

(A) Should (B) Would (C) If (D) Had 15. The machine can pull up trees as if they weeds.

(A) were (B) are (C) have been (D) had been 16. I not so busy right now , I would do it.

(A)Had (B) Be (C) were (D) Was 17. your help , I would have been drowned.

(A) But that (B) Because of (C) On behalf of (D)without l8. He would have made the speech only that he a sore throat. (A) has (B) hsd (C) had had (D) has had

19. It's eleven already. It's time home.

(A) we'll go (B) we'd (C) we're going (D) we went 20. If the earth stopped moving, what ?

(A)do you think would happen (B) did you think will happen (C) do you think would be happened (D) did you think will be happened 21. If you with George yesterday morning, you would not be so angry now.

(A) talked (B) were talking (C) could talk (D) had talked 22. One of the boys made the suggestion that he to the lake alone. (A) go (B) went (C) would go (D) will go

23. That was a close call; you hit by the car.

(A) could have been (B) can have been (C) could be (D) can be 24. to participate , I might have won the grand prize.

(A) Had had the chance (B) I had had the chance (C) 'Iiie chance had I had (D) Had I had the chance 25. Had I driven a little slower, I you.

(A) might not miss to see (B) could not have missed to see (C) should not miss seeing (D) could not have missed seeing 26. " I guess so. " Mother replied. " But I still wish they good , steady jobs. "

(A) have (B) are having (C) have had (D) had

27. The quarrel between my neighbors is becoming serious. It's time I took a hand in it and to

stop it.

(A) try (B) to try (C) trying (D) tried

28. We wish that you such a lot of work to do, because we know you would have

enjoyed the party.

(A) hadn't had (B) hadn't (C) didn't have (D) haven't' 29. I have often come across people doing jobs that I have never dret of before , and which would

me had I been told about the school.

(A)thrill (B) be thrilled

30. I am sitting on the riverbank, feeling very unhappy. My wet cli are in a heap next to me. I'm wrapped in Dad's warm, dry blam But I feel damp. I wish I fishing today.

(A) didn't go (B) haven't gone (C) don't go (D) hadn'tgone

I who am blind can give one hint to those 1. : Use your eyes as if tomorrow you 2. blind. And the same method can 3. the other senses. 4. the music of voices, the song of a bird, the mighty strains of an 5. , as if you 6. stricken deaf tomorrow. Touch each object 7. tomorrow your tactile sense would fail. Smell the 8. of flowers, taste 9. relish each morsel , as if tomorrow you could never 10. again. ~

l. (A) who see (B) who they see

2. (A) would strike (B) woule be stricken

3. (A) apply to (B) apply for (C) be applied to (D) be applied for

4. (A) Hearing (B) Heard (C) To hear (D) hear

5. (A) musician (B) orchestra (C) symphony (D) composer

6. (A) will have (B) will be (C) would have (D) would be

7. (A) as if (B) so that (C) even if (D) in which

8. (A )blossom (B) perfume (C) flavor (D) fragarant

9. (A) from (B) away (C) with (D) into

10. (A) look and see (B) look and hear