Sub-Mood-Lesson
Indicative
is the most common and used to make factual statements.
Mrs. Stewart is helpful.
It is also used to ask questions.
Is Mrs. Stewart helpful
?
Imperative mood is limited to sentences that give orders or directions.
Be helpful.
In the present tense, the third-person singular verbs do not have the regular
–s or –es ending.
Be in the present tense is be , and in the past tense it is subject.
were , regardless of
Use of the subjunctive mood (1) in clauses beginning with contrary to fact or (2) in clauses beginning with that if or that to express an idea to express a request, a demand, or a proposal.
Even though this use of the subjunctive suggests that the ideas expressed are not now true, it indicates that they could or should be true in the future.
Most verbs that make a request, a demand, or a proposal are usually followed by a that clause, which will generally contain a verb in the subjunctive mood.
Request: She requests that we time for the test.
be on
Demand: It is required that each student wear an id.
Proposal: He proposed that a motion be made to adjourn.
Ideas contrary to fact are most commonly expressed as wishes or conditions. Using the subjunctive mood in these situations helps to show that the idea is expressed is not now true and may never be true.
He wishes that he were more likable.
One impossible condition of employment was that she be ready to travel at any time.
He talks about art as if he were an expert.
Could, would, or should can be used to help a verb express the subjunctive mood.
If someone were to escort her, she would go.
If someone would escort her, she would go.
