English Mood: Definition, Types, Common Errors to Avoid, Examples of Mood, Practice Questions with Answers

In English, mood is a verb form that conveys the speaker’s perspective towards their words. It helps in showcasing the intent, possibility, command, or wish of a sentence. In an easier analogy, let’s think of it as an emotional or logical lens through which a sentence is presented.

Mood is an integral part of verbs that is used to signal the modality. It is different compared to tenses and grammatical aspects, despite getting confused with the two. Just as we often use moods to define a person’s current state of feeling, moods in grammar are used for a similar purpose in a sentence.

Types of Mood in English Grammar

As per the Oxford Dictionary, mood is defined as “one of the sets of verb forms or categories of verbs used that expresses facts, orders, questions, wishes or conditions”.

Further, if we refer to the Cambridge Dictionary, then mood is defined as “the forms of verbs used to show whether the person speaking intends to express a fact, an order, or a hope:

• The indicative/ imperative/ subjunctive mood”

Word Origin: Senses 1-3 Old English mōd (also in the senses ‘mind’ and ‘fierce courage’), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch moed and German Mut. Senses 4 to 5 mid 16th century.: variant of mode, influenced by mood, ‘state of mind’.

Pronunciation: /muːd/

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There are primarily three types of mood in English grammar. These are: Indicative, Imperative, and Subjunctive. Aside from these three, some also consider the Conditional mood, which can be called a blend between indicative and subjunctive forms. Let’s take a look at the following points to get a better understanding of mood from the point of view of English grammar:

1. Indicative Mood

Indicative mood is used when stating facts, asking questions, or while expressing opinions that are believed to be true by the speaker. It is also referred to as the default verb mood and is usually used in daily

Examples:

• Jane is drinking (Factual statement)
• Darcy is from Derbyshire, England. (A statement)
• Have you eaten breakfast yet? (Asking a question)

2. Imperative Mood

The imperative mood in grammar is used when one is giving orders, offering any advice, or making requests. While using the imperative mood, the subject “you” is often implied and not otherwise stated explicitly. These actions are yet to take place, and there’s a chance they might not happen at all.

Examples:

• Please turn off the light on your way out. (Request)
• Stop chewing so loudly. (Command/ order)
• Beware of the dog, it bites. (Advice)

3. Subjunctive Mood

The subjective mood in English grammar is used in cases that are contradictory to the factual information, are hypothetical, or are wished for. These are most often used in formal contexts or after certain verbs/ conjunctions, such as “if”, “wish”, “suggest”, etc.

Examples:

• If I were you, I’d never want to leave this place. (Use were instead of was)
• Would you still be my friend if I were a cockroach?
• I wish I could have sweets right now.

4. Conditional Mood

While not as popular or commonly known as other moods, the conditional mood expresses outcomes that rely on a specific condition being true.

Examples:

• If it rains now, the umpires will stop the match.
• Joshua said he’d buy a lottery ticket if he saw a red car today.
• I would devour this dish if it looked half as good as it did in the photo.

As you may have noticed, the conditional mood often pairs with the subjunctive for hypotheticals.

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Verbs in English grammar are one of the core components in building the language. Verbs help in not only telling if and when an action is being taken, but also how it is taking place. Some common topics that shape up verb structure are as follows:

• Tenses: Tells when an action is taking place.
• Mood: Reflects the intent/ feeling behind the action being taken.
• Grammatical Aspect: Shows the outcome of the action or how it unfolds.

Let’s take a look at the following table to understand better:

Since it is a relatively unknown topic, it is quite easy to make errors while using mood in English. However, fret not. There are some common mistakes to avoid while using mood in English grammar that are mentioned below; avoiding which will greatly help you in making mistakes.

• Using “was” instead of “were” in subjunctive

One of the most common errors someone tends to make while using mood in a sentence is to use was instead of were.

Example:

Incorrect: If I was you, I’d wanna be me too.

Correct: If I were you, I’d wanna be me too.

Using the example of a popular song lyric mentioned above, one must realise that the sentence may sound incorrect at first; however, from a grammatical point of view, it is correct.

• Mistaking Imperatives as Being Rude

“Stop it!” may come across as rude and demanding unless accompanied by “please”, which softens the blow.

• Not Using Subjunctive Due to Unfamiliarity

A lot of non-native speakers tend to shy away from using the subjunctive. Don’t be shy from doing so, doing so. Mastering it is the key to sounding proficient.

Also Read: Common Mistakes to Avoid in Nouns

The importance of Mood in English grammar relies on its usage in sentences, both verbal and written. Just like any other grammatical component, mood also plays a crucial role in building the sentence structure. Find below the key points on why mood matters in English:

1. It helps in enhancing the clarity and sheds light on the precision of the clarity.
2. Helps the speaker express intentions more accurately.
3. Improves the overall vocabulary and flow of writing and aids in making one sound professional and fluent.

Picking up a good book is essential to master mood in grammar. Reading is vital when it comes to improving one’s vocabulary, as we tend to pick up sentence patterns easily when we constantly look at it. This stands true here as well. There are several revered books published by seasoned authors who provide great insight into the topic. Find below the books to master mood in English grammar:

You may also look up English grammar PDFs or visit a nearby bookstore to know more.

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