Mood
A writer's attitude toward a particular topic or idea determines
the mood of the verb in the sentence. This may be a somewhat difficult
concept to grasp. Of the three moods of a verb, indicative, imperative,
and subjunctive, pay particular attention to the latter. Most
English users do not know about nor use the subjunctive, which has more
exacting use in the French language.
| Moods and Verbs |
| indicative |
| 
The CF provides essential assistance in international and domestic
crises.
Where
is the photocopier? |
The indicative mood is the most common, and is used to state a fact
or to ask a question.
|
| imperative |
| Please
attend to the memo distributed yesterday.
March! |
The imperative mood is the most martial, and is used when giving a
command. |
| subjunctive |
| I
demand that my request be (not is) acknowledged.
He
treats the project as if it were (not was) his own. |
The subjunctive mood is generally misunderstood. It
is used in sentences or phrases often beginning with if or
that or as if which express a wish, or desire, or
requirement. |
|
