Verb Moods
Overview
Lesson plan
Common Core Objectives
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.8.1
Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.8.1.c
Form and use verbs in the indicative, imperative, interrogative, conditional, and subjunctive mood.
Objective
Objective: I can recognize and write sentences using each of the common verb moods -indicative, imperative, subjunctive, interrogative and conditional.
Distribution
Moods in real life explain how a person is feeling. Mood in stories is the feelings the reader gets when reading the material. The reader owns the emotion. But moods in grammar involve the tone of the verb, and it helps readers understand the intention of whoever is speaking or writing. Verb mood indicates a state of being or reality.
Types of Verb Moods and examples
Types of Moods
INDICATIVE MOOD
The indicative mood states a statement, fact, or opinion. Most sentences are written in an indicative mood.
Examples
- Sam fell and skinned his knee.
- It is raining cats and dogs!
- I am going to the movies.
- David laughs whenever he sees a clown.
- The teddy bear is taller than the baby.
IMPERATIVE MOOD
The imperative mood makes a request, advice, prohibition or a command. These sentences do not make mild suggestions. They issue a direct command, telling someone what to do. In these sentences, the verb will express a direct call to action. Sometimes the subject “you” will be implied. Other times, it will be clear who the subject is.
Examples
- Please sit down.
- Go away.
- Don’t smoke in the hospital.
- When you get home from school, clean your room.
- When you arrive at the train station, go to the reservation desk.
SUBJUNCTIVE MOOD
The subjunctive mood is used to express hypothetical situations, wishes, doubts, or recommendations. Subjunctive mood makes the use of helping verbs such as “should’, “may”, and “were”. Sentences in the subjunctive mood often include the phrase “If I were”. The verb tends to express doubt, wish, request, demand, proposal or hypothetical situation.
The subjunctive mood uses verb conjugation rules depending on what the subject and the verb of the sentence are. Plural subjects use the same verbs as they normally would. However, things get more complicated if you have a first- or third-person singular subject (ex. I, he, she, or it) or use the verb “be”. Third-person singular subjects drop the “s” used at the end of a verb. (ex., We proposed that Carolyn sing in our play because she has a great voice. (not sings).
Examples
- The manager asked that her staff be prepared for a morning rush.
- If I were tall, I would ride the roller coaster.
- I wish my cold was better today.
- I demand he be released.
- I wish it were true.
INTERROGATIVE MOOD
The interrogative mood asks a question. Because interrogative sentences are often just rearranged versions of sentences that use the indicative mood, the interrogative mood is often used to be a subtype of the indicative mood or described as a type of sentence or clause rather than a distinct mood.
Examples
- Can you hear that?
- Where have the students gone?
- How many games did the football team win last year?
- Did you fry a turkey for Thanksgiving?
- Are you going to the play at the auditorium?
Conditional Mood
The conditional mood expresses an action or idea that is dependent upon a condition. If one thing happens, then another “should”, “could”, or “would” happen too. A sentence with a conditional mood contains an auxiliary verb (a helping verb-would, should, could) and a main verb. Another sign of the conditional mood is the “if this”, then “that” construct. “If/then” indicates one action is dependent upon another. The conditional mood may also state a possibility.
Examples
If the dog didn’t bark all night, then the neighbor would not have called the police.
I may cook Thanksgiving dinner. (possibility)
Knowing his history of bad behavior, she should have said no.
After we go for a run, I would like to sit down with a tall glass of iced tea.
I wouldn’t do that if I were you.
Chart
Five Verb Moods | ||
Conditional Mood Express ideas that depend on a condition or state a possibility. Examples If you do not complete your assignment, then you will not earn a reward. Ben might win the hula hoop contest.
| Indicative Mood States a fact, opinion or statement Examples It is raining outside. My daughter is a junk food junkie.
| Interrogative Mood Asks a question
Examples Who are you? Where are you going today? |
Imperative Mood Makes a command or request Examples Close the door. When you come home from school, clean your room.
|
| Subjunctive Mood express hypothetical situations, wishes, doubts, or recommendations
|
Exit Tickets
Exit Ticket
Read each sentence. Select the example of the conditional mood.
___1. I like strawberry short cakes better than ice cream.
___2. When do you want to study for the test?
___3. I hope it snows for Christmas.
Exit Ticket
Which mood is described?
This mood asks a question.
___1. Subjunctive Mood
___2. Interrogative Mood
___3. Imperative Mood
Exit Ticket
True or False? There are four moods in English (Subjunctive, Imperative, Interrogative).
___1. True
___2. False
Exit Ticket
This mood expresses a command or request.
___1. The conditional mood
___2. The subjunctive mood
___3. The indicative mood