FORM AND USE OF VERBS IN THE INDICATIVE, IMPERATIVE, INTERROGATIVE, CONDITIONAL, AND SUBJUNCTIVE MOOD (8.36D)

When we speak to each other, we speak using a “mood.” It’s just how we talk. Think about it…

There are 5 basic “moods” we will study:

1. Indicative – real or true fact2. Imperative – a command3. Interrogative – a question4. Conditional – something that may cause

something (if…, then…); might, could, would

5. Subjunctive – a wish or suggestion that is not a fact (hasn’t happened yet)

Indicative Mood

The indicative – states a true/real fact: "A cat sits on the stove.“

Most sentences in English are in the indicative mood. It simply states a fact of some sort, or describes what happens, or gives details about reality.

Imperative Mood

The imperative – indicates a command: "Give me back my money."

One marker of the imperative is that frequently the subject does not appear in the sentence, but is only implied: "(You) Give me back my money."

Interrogative Mood

The interrogative – indicates a question: "Will you leave me alone now?"

One marker of the interrogative is that the helping verb comes first, before the subject: "Will you leave me alone?" instead of "You will leave me alone."

Usually the interrogative (question) appears with requests for someone to do something or requests for information.

Conditional Mood

The conditional – indicates a conditional state that will cause something else to happen:

"The drink might explode if you shake the bottle."

or, "The drink could explode if you shake that bottle."

The conditional usually has the words might, could, and would.

Subjunctive Mood

The subjunctive - indicates a verb form used to express a wish, a suggestion, a command, or a condition that is not a fact).   “If I were in your position, I would do the same.”

The following verbs are often used in the subjunctive mood: ask, command, demand, insist, order, recommend, suggest and wish.

Examples: I wish it were still in use. The board recommended that the motion be passed immediately. She suggests that Mark work full time from Saturday.

Today, the mood has practically vanished; modern speakers tend to use the conditional forms of "could" and "would" to indicate statements that are not reality.

Practice With Writing… (ugh…I know.)

1. Write an indicative sentence with a compound subject.2. Write an imperative sentence with a compound verb.3. Write an interrogative sentence with a single subject.4. Write a conditional sentence with a single subject.5. Write a subjunctive sentence with a single verb.6. Write an indicative sentence with a single subject.7. Write an imperative sentence with a compound

subject.8. Write an interrogative sentence with a single verb.9. Write a conditional sentence with a compound verb.10. Write a subjunctive sentence with a single subject.

Indicative

What is happening, what happened, or what will happen. Gives the facts.

Exists in all the basic tenses: Present-what happens, what is happening

I go, I am going Past-what happened

I went, I was going Future: what will happen [definitely, not

hypothetically I will go

Examples of verbs in Indicative mood

She ran a mile yesterday. I am going to check out the book. We all ate dinner at my house. She slept in last Saturday.

Remember: These are the most common!

Imperative

The imperative mood is a verb form which makes a command or a request. For example:

Empty the bin, John. This is a verb in the imperative mood.

John empties the bin. This verb is not in the imperative mood. It is

in the indicative mood.

Examples of verbs in Imperative mood

Bring me my water. Come here. Run! Stop the bleeding. Open the door, Sally. Walk my dog. Open your book!

Indicative or Imperative?

My dog sat down. Sit! Running is my favorite sport. Run with me. Walk outside now. Walking is fun. Play with me. Let’s play football.

Interrogative

The interrogative mood is questioning. The helping verb is frequently before the

subject. For example, “Will you leave me alone?” rather than “You will leave me alone.”

Examples of Interrogative

Will you help me? Can you bring me a book? May I borrow a pencil?

Notice, these sentences all end in a question mark!

Indicative, Imperative, or Interrogative?

Open the door. Will you walk me to class? Come inside. Would you like an ice cream bar? I am going to the library. My mom is the best. Stop talking.

Conditional

The conditional mood shows when something will or may cause something else to happen.

Usually uses the helping verbs might, could, and would.

Frequently formatted as an if…then statement. Example: If I do my homework, then I

could go outside.

Examples of Conditional

If it snows three inches, then we might not have school.

I wish I could have gone to the baseball game.

I would love to go with you. If I wasn’t grounded, then I might be

allowed to go to that party.

Indicative, Imperative, Interrogative, or Conditional?

Can I lay my head down? Carry my bag. If it was Saturday, then I might not be

awake right now. Would you like to go to the fair? It’s raining outside. We could go to the movies Saturday

night.

Subjunctive

The subjunctive mood is the verb form used to express a wish, a suggestion, a command, or a condition that is contrary to fact.

Comparing: I was in your position two years ago.

(not in the subjunctive mood)

If I were in your position, I would do the same.(subjunctive mood)

Examples of Subjunctive

If I were you, I wouldn’t do that. I wish that we could go outside. My mom suggests that I eat my

vegetables.

Which one is it?

Aren’t verb moods easy? Sit up. I wish it was summer. My dog is brown. If it weren’t so hot outside, I would walk

home. I suggest that you pay attention. Shut the door. Are we ready to move on?

On Your Own

Write two sentences in each of the five verb moods (indicative, imperative, interrogative, conditional, and subjunctive)

Make sure to write them in a random order on your paper!

In a few minutes, you will trade papers with a partner and test your knowledge of verb mood!