Moods of Verbs Fall 2012

5 Moods of Verbs  Indicative  States the facts  Subjunctive  States possibilities, conjectures, “what if”  Imperative  States commands  Interrogative  Asks questions  Conditional  Indicating conditional state that will cause something else

The Indicative Mood  Most common  Used to express facts and opinions or to make inquiries  Most statements made are indicative  Example:  Joe picks up the boxes.  The German shepherd fetches the stick.  Charlie closes the window.

The Subjunctive Mood  Used to express hypothetical and “counterfactual” statements  Example:  What if?  I wish…  I would…  I could…  If I were…

The Imperative Mood  Used to give orders or make requests  Often used with the understood “you”  Example:  Pick up those boxes.  Fetch.  Close the window.

The Interrogative Mood  Used in asking questions  Puts the helping verb in front of the subject  Example:  Will you leave me alone?  Are you sure ?  Do you have brown hair?

The Conditional Mood  Marked by the words might, could, would  Usually contains a subordinate conjunction like if  Example:  The bomb might explode if I jiggle that switch.