Mood
In a sentence, a Mood symbolises the mode or manner or temper or tone in which the statement of the sentence is made by the verb. In grammar, there are three kinds of moods— (a) Indicative Mood, (b) Imperative Mood, and (c) Subjunctive Mood
Remember! Once upon a time in the ancient era, the infinitive was also considered a mood; later, grammarians do not regard it as such.
Indicative Mood
Indicative Mood is used to tell a fact or to ask a question or to express a presumption which is taken as a fact—
He does. I go. She helps. He does not read. (facts)
Does she help? Do I know you? Is he ok? (questions)
If he comes here he will be paid. (presumption)
If it rains I will stay at home. (presumption)
Imperative Mood
Imperative Mood is used to give advice and orders or to make requests or to entreat or sometimes to make a supposition or absolutely—
Do not take bribes. Take care of your health. (advice)
Come here. Stand up. Don’t move. Fetch that. (orders)
Sent her in, please. Please bring the book. (request)
Save me. Help! Have pity on us. (entreat)
Travel, and you will learn. (supposition)
Confess, or you die. (supposition)
Move further, say 200 meters. (absolutely)
Remember! Imperative Mood is used only in the case of the Second Person and in the Present Tense.
Subjunctive Mood
It is a set of forms of verbs. Subjunctives are used to express actions which are, basically, possibilities rather than facts or reality. Unfulfilled desire is expressed using the subjunctives.
Some subjunctives refer to state and some refer to possession. Here, ‘were‘ represents state, whereas, ‘had‘ represents possession. Study the examples carefully.
- If I were a fish!
- I wish I were a fish.
- If I were a fish, I would swim deep into the sea. Or,
- Were I a fish, I would swim deep into the sea.
- If I were a king, I should build a palace. Or,
- Were I a king, I should build a palace.
- If I were the prime minister, I should work for the poor first. Or,
- Were I the prime minister, I should work for the poor first.
- If I were to refuse, she would be very annoyed.
- Were I to refuse, she would be very annoyed.
- If I had been a king, I would have built a palace. Or,
- Had I been a king, I would have built a palace.
- If I had been the prime minister, I would have worked for the poor first. Or,
- Had I been the prime minister, I would have worked for the poor first.
- If I had studied well, I could have passed the exam. Or,
- Had I studied well, I could have passed the exam.
- If I had a lot of money, I would buy a Lamborghini.
- If I had had a lot of money, I would have bought a Lamborghini. Or,
- Had I had a lot of money, I would have bought a Lamborghini.
REMEMBER! IF THE FIRST PART IS IN PAST PERFECT TENSE, USE “COULD/WOULD HAVE + V3” IN THE NEXT PART.
A few more examples—
- If she were (don’t use was) there, she would have sung.
- I wish this were (don’t use was) a golden egg.
- I would help him if I were (don’t use was) you.
- I wish I could (don’t use can) have the keys.
- If it be(don’t use is) sin to work hard, I am a sinner.
Conditionals
Conditional is a described offer or agreement or condition that depends on something other action or event being done. A conditional sentence basically has two parts, one part depends on another one; if one part happens or takes place, the other part comes into action. We write the conditional part with ‘if‘. There are four cases of conditionals.
1st Conditional
It is used to express a future event with respect to present action or condition. Minutely follow the structure of the examples given below.
If + Simple present, will (future)
- If I find her address, I will send her an invitation.
- If I go there, I will meet you for sure.
2nd Conditional
It is used to express a simple past event with respect to another past event. Minutely follow the structure of the examples given below.
If + Simple past, would (past)
- If I found her address, I would send her an invitation. Or,
- Should I find her address, I would send her an invitation. Or,
- Would that I find her address, I would send her an invitaton.
- If I went there, I would meet you for sure. Or,
- Should I go there, I would meet you for sure. Or,
- Would that I go there, I would meet you for sure.
3rd Conditional
It is used to express a past perfect conditional. Minutely follow the structure of the examples given below.
If + Past perfect, Would + Have + Past Participle
- If I had found her address, I would have sent her an invitation. Or,
- Had I found her address, I would have sent her an invitation.
- If we had played chess, I would have won. Or,
- Had we played chess, I would have won.
- If you had not told her, she would never have known. Or,
- Had you not told her, she would never have known.
- Had you followed the rules, you would not have been disqualified.