There are three types of verb-form moods that you can use when writing a document. These ‘moods’ are called indicative, subjunctive, and imperative. The indicative mood is used when you are stating a fact. The subjunctive mood is used when you want to describe an action that might happen or a situation that is not actually true. The last mood, the imperative, is used when you are ordering or imploring someone to perform an action.

Examples (Indicative):

The fine for littering is seventy-five dollars.

Truckers drive long distances.

Examples (Subjunctive):

If gas prices were lower, I’d take longer trips.
Note: the ‘if…were’ form is often used in the subjunctive form.

It is important that you attend the meeting tomorrow.

Examples (Imperative):

Put the groceries away.

Get me the hammer out of the tool box.
Note: the imperative mood starts with a verb and directly addresses the audience.

The subjunctive mood is more complex than can be discussed completely here. Englishclub.com has an excellent page on the subjunctive mood. Their homepage provides links to comprehensive discussions on the eight parts of speech that are broken down into subcategories and discussed in great detail.

Visit Englishclub.com at http://grammar.englishclub.com/index.html.

1. The hat is on the table.

2. Your presentation for the meeting tomorrow is ready.

3. If I were giving a speech at the tutors' convention, the audience would probably get bored and leave.

4. Try to be more pleasant when dealing with irate customers.

5. The boss recommended that Julia be given a raise.

Answers

1. Indicative. This sentence states a fact

2. Indicative. Although the meeting is tomorrow, the sentence discusses the current state of the presentation and is a statement of fact.

3. Subjunctive. This is an if .... were situation and is, therefore, hypothetical.
Note: Although any audience would probably get bored with my speeches and would leave, the sentence is not actually a statement of fact since the sentence discusses a hypothetical situation)

4. Imperative. The sentence begins with a verb and directly addresses the audience.

5. Subjunctive. Since Julia has not been given the raise yet the verb discusses something that may happen.

Grammatically Correct is a grammar tip of the week created by Academic Center Peer Writing Tutors at the University of Houston-Victoria in Victoria, Texas.

Comments about this newsletter should be directed to Summer Leibensperger, leibenspergers@uhv.edu.

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