What is Mood?

The simplest use of a Verb is to make a statement of fact or ask a question; as,

* I write to my brother every week.

* Who wrote that letter?

But a Verb may also be used to express a command; as,

* Write neatly.

Or a Verb may be used to express a mere supposition; as,

* If I were you, I would not do it.

These different modes or manners in which a Verb may be used to express an action are called 

Moods. ((Latin Modus, manner.)

Definition: Mood is the mode or manner in which the action denoted by the Verb is represented.

There are three Moods in English:-

Indicative, Imperative, Subjunctive.

# Indicative Mood

The indicative Mood is used:

(1) To make a statement of fact; as,

* Rama goes to school daily.

* We are taught Arithmetic.

* He writes legibly.

* Napoleon died at St. Helena.

* The child is alive.

(2) To ask a question; as,

* Have you found your book?

* Are you well?

In each of these sentences the Verb in italics is said to be in the indicative mood.

The indicative mood is also used in expressing a supposition which is assumed as a fact; as,

* If [Assuming as a fact that] I am to be a beggar, It shall never make me a rascal.

* If it rains, I shall stay at home. [Assuming as a fact  that it will rain,etc.]

* If my friend wants it, I shall give it to him. [Assuming as a fact that my friend wants it, etc.]

* If he is the ring-leader, he deserves to be punished. [Assuming as a fact that he is the ring leader, etc.]

A Verb which makes a statement of fact or asks a question, or expresses a supposition which is assumed as a fact, is in the Indicative Mood.

# Imperative Mood

 The imperative Mood is used to express-

(1) A command; as,

* Wait there.

* Come here.

* Open your book at page 7.

(2) A exhortation; as,

* Be steady.

* Take care of your health.
* Try to do better.

(3) An entreaty or prayer; as,

* Have mercy upon us.

* Give us this day our daily bread.

In each of these sentences the Verb in italics is said to be in the Imperative Mood. A verb which expresses a command, an exhortation, an entreaty or prayer, is in the Imperative Mood.

Note1.The Imperative mood can strictly be used only in the Second person, since the person commanded must be the person spoken to. But in the First and Third persons a like sense is expressed by the use of the Auxiliary Verb let; as,

* Let me go.

* Let us go.

* Let him go.

* Let them go.

Note2.The Subject of a verb in the Imperative Mood (you) is usually omitted.

# Subjunctive Mood

The following are the forms of the Subjunctive

Present Subjunctive		Past Subjunctive
The Verb ‘be’	Other Verbs	The Verb ‘be’	Other Verbs
I be	I speak	I were	I spoke
We be	We speak	We were	We spoke
You be	You speak	You were	You spoke
He be	He speak	He were	He spoke
They be	They speak	They were	They spoke

The Subjunctive Mood scarcely exists in present-day English.

The present Subjunctive occurs

(1) In certain traditional phrases, where it expresses a wise or hope; as,

* God bless you!

* God save the King!

* Haven helps us!

(2) In formal English, in a noun clause dependent on a verb expressing desire, intention, resolution, etc.; as,

* I move that Mr.Gupta be appointed Chairman

* It is suggested that a ring road be built to relieve the congestion

* We recommended that the subscription be increased to ten Rupees.

The Past Subjunctive is used

(1) After the Verb wise, to indicate a situation which is unreal or contrary to fact; as?

* I wish I knew his name. (I’m sorry I don’t know his name.)

* I wish I were a Millionaire.

* She wishes the car belonged to you.

(2) After if, to express improbability or unreality in the present; as,

* If I were you I should not do that. (but I am not you, and never can be).

* If we started now we would be in time. (but we cannot start now).

(3) After as if/as though, to indicate unreality or improbability; as,

* He orders me about as if I were his wife(but I am not).

* He walks as though he were drunk. (But he is not).

(4) After it is time +Subject, to imply that it is late; as,

* It is time we started.

(5) After would rather+Subject, to indicate preference; as,

* I would rather you went by air. (I should prefer you to go by air).

* They would rather you paid them by cheque.

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