VERBS:

Indicative, Imperative
Emphatic and
Subjunctive
Moods
• There are four moods in English grammar: indicative, imperative,
emphatic and subjunctive.

• The indicative mood is the form of a verb that is used to state a fact
or ask a question.

• The indicative mood is used to make factual statements, ask

questions, or express opinions as if they were facts. Any verb tense
may be deployed in the indicative mood.
In these sentences, the verbs are in the indicative mood.

1. I saw something today that really annoyed me.

2. He lives most of the year in Spain but returns regularly to visit his
ailing mother.
3. Zombies will be the new vampires.
4. Prosecutors have not said whether they will appeal the decision.
• The imperative mood is the form of the verb used to give commands.

• A sentence in the imperative mood expresses commands or

requests. It indicates that the speaker desires for the action
expressed in the sentence to take place.

• In most imperative sentences, there’s an implied you as the subject.

1. Sit on the sofa.
2. Let me go with you.
3. Keep reading.
4. Give me a moment to collect my thoughts.
• The emphatic mood is the form of a verb that gives special force to a
simple present or past tense verb.

• The emphatic tenses receive their name because they are used for
emphasis.

• The present emphatic tense is formed by adding the basic present

form of the verb to the present tense of the verb to do (do or does).

• The past emphatic tense is formed by adding the basic present form
of the verb to the past tense of the verb to do (did).
1. I do like green eggs and ham!
2. He does run fast.
3. Didn't he stay home?
4. Barry did come to school today.

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What is the mood of the verb?

1. Please pick up your trash.

2. Fred does take the train every day.
3. Do you prefer creamy or chunky peanut butter?
4. Do not walk in that mud puddle!
5. ELA is fun.
6. Let’s begin our tour of the art museum.
7. Cheri did decide to attend the lecture.
8. I know the muffin man.
9. I do feel that aliens have been living among us.
• The subjunctive mood can express a wish or desire, or a condition
that is not fact.

• The subjunctive mood is the verb form used to express a wish, a

suggestion, a command, or a condition that is contrary to fact.

• The subjunctive mood is used to express demand or

recommendation after the word that, or to express uncertainty after
words like if or whether.
• When forming the subjunctive mood, the past tense form is used to
state present wishes or conditions against fact. Ex: ran)

I wish I ran at lightning speed. (I do not run at lightning speed, but I would like to – this is
a current wish or desire)

• The past perfect tense is used to state past wishes or conditions

against fact. (Ex: had run). Modals such as could and would show
that a statement is contrary to fact.

If I had run for mayor, I certainly would have won the race.
(I did not run for mayor in a past election, so this is a condition that is contrary to fact.)
• In a complex sentence, the subjunctive mood is shown in the
subordinate clause, (usually beginning with that, if, or whether) and
the base form of the verb is used.

- I recommend that Bradley buy a used car instead of a new one.

- Whether you believe it or not, grammar skills are important to good writing.

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