Mood

From Guidevines

"Mood" is the function performed by a verb when it expresses a statement, command, or supposition. These are named the "indicative," "imperative," and "subjunctive" moods.

Contents 1 Indicative 2 Imperative 3 Subjunctive 3.1 "That" clauses 3.2 Contrary conditions 3.3 Idiomatic expressions 4 References

[edit] Indicative

A verb in the indicative mood expresses an opinion or fact, or asks a question. For example:

Isaac Asimov wrote several novels.

Did Heinlein believe in reincarnation?

Note that using a form of "do" can add emphasis.

[edit] Imperative

A verb in the imperative mood issues a command or direct request. For example:

Write one-thousand words every day.

Please submit your story elsewhere.

Note that usually the base form of the verb is used, with no subject.

[edit] Subjunctive

A verb in the subjunctive mood appears in certain "that" clauses, statements that assume a condition contrary to fact, and some idiomatic expressions. For example:

I wish I were king.

The use of the subjunctive, particularly the past subjunctive as in this example, is sometimes regarded as overly formal. Characters in dialog may substitute the indicative mood instead, as in, "I wish I was king," to achieve a more colloquial sound.

[edit] "That" clauses

The base form of a verb appears in the subjunctive mood, regardless of the subject, in "that" clauses following words like "ask," "suggest," "require," and others. For example:

The court decided that he be executed.

Lord Vader demanded that his stormtroopers find Han Solo.

[edit] Contrary conditions

Probably the instance where the subjunctive is most often omitted in favor of the indicative is in "if" clauses that express a condition. However, the indicative is proper when the condition is, to any extent possible. The subjunctive is proper when the condition is either impossible, or actually contrary to fact. For example:

If Worldcon is ever held on Mars, I am going.

This is a condition that is, however distantly, possible, so "is" (the indicative form) is proper. This is as opposed to an impossible condition, such as this:

If wishes were dollars, I'd be rich.

As well is conditions that conflict with actual fact:

If Heinlein were the author of "I, Robot," the three law would have been different.

[edit] Idiomatic expressions

There are a few special cases there the subjunctive mood applies:

If need be, I will rewrite my story.

Trilogies have, as it were, been known to extend to more than three volumes.

[edit] References

The Holt Handbook, 4th ed., Kirszner & Mandell