MOODS

There are three major moods in English: (1) the indicative mood is used to make factual statements or pose questions, (2) the imperative mood to express a request or command, and (3) the (rarely used) subjunctive mood to show a wish, doubt, or anything else contrary to fact.

Indicative mood "Life is full of misery, loneliness, and suffering--and it's all over much too soon." (Woody Allen)

Imperative mood "Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country." (President John F. Kennedy)

Subjunctive mood "If I were rich, I'd have the time that I lack To sit in the synagogue and pray." (from Fiddler on the Roof)

Subjunctive Mood

The subjunctive mood is the verb form used to express a command, a wish, a suggestion or a condition that is contrary to fact. A verb in the subjunctive mood may have a different form to one with the same subject which is not in the subjunctive mood.

Examples:

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)

a condition contrary to fact

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

Examples: I wish it were still in use. (subjunctive mood - "it was" becomes "it were") The board recommended that the motion be passed immediately. (subjunctive mood - "motion is passed" becomes "motion be passed)

 She suggests that Mark work full time from Saturday. (subjunctive mood "Mark works" becomes "Mark work")

The following adjectives often attract the subjunctive mood: crucial, essential, important, imperative and necessary.

Examples:

It is imperative that the game begin at once. (subjunctive mood - "game begins" becomes "game begin")