The Category of Mood in Modern English

Mood is a grammatical category which indicates the attitude of the speaker towards the
action expressed by the verb from the point of view of its reality.
In Modern English we distinguish three moods:
(1) The Indicative Mood
(2) The Imperative Mood
(3) The Oblique Moods

 The Indicative Mood shows that the action or state expressed by the verb is presented as a
fact:
We went home early in the evening.
The Indicative Mood is also used to express a real condition, i.e. a condition the realization of
which is considered possible:
If it rains, I shall stay at home.

 The Imperative Mood expresses a command or a request. In Modern English the Imperative
Mood has only one form which coincides with the infinitive without the particle to; it is used in the
second person (singular and plural):
Be quiet and hear what I tell you.
Please put the papers on the table, by the bed.
In forming the negative the auxiliary verb to do is always used, even with the verb to be:
Hush! Don't make a noise!
Don't be angry...
The auxiliary verb to do may also be used in affirmative sentences to make the request more
emphatic:
But now, do sing again to us.
To make a request or an order more emphatic the subject expressed by the pronoun you is
sometimes used. It is characteristic of colloquial speech:
I'll drive and you sleep awhile.
Note: A command addressed to the third person singular and plural is usually expressed
with the help of the verb to let:
Let the child go home at once.
Let the children go home at once.
With the first person plural the verb to let is used to express an exhortation to a joint
action:
Let's go and have some fresh coffee.

 The Oblique Moods show the fulfillment of the action as something desirable, doubtful,
depending on certain conditions, etc., but not as a matter of fact. The following types of the Oblique
Moods are distinguished:
- Subjunctive I
- Subjunctive II
- the Suppositional
- the Conditional
 The Imperative Mood
The Imperative Mood represents an action as a command, urging, warning addressed to one’s
interlocutor(s). In the Imperative Mood the speaker urges the person addressed to fulfill an action. It
is a direct expression of one’s will. Therefore it is much more subjective than the Indicative Mood.
The Imperative Mood has only one simple form for the second person singular and plural,
and it is the plain base-form of the verb. It is homonymous with the Bare Infinitive. There is no
tense distinction or perfect aspect, and only very rarely does the continuous form occur, e.g. (1)Be
preparing the dinner when he comes in. (2)Be always searching for truth. (3)And don’t you be
forgetting about it. A passive is equally rare (but only with the verb “to be”), e.g. Be warned in time.
Other auxiliaries are normally used in passive structures with the imperative, especially to tell
people to arrange for things to be done for them, e.g. (1)Get washed. (2)Get vaccinated as soon as
you can.
We can make an emphatic imperative with do + infinitive. This is common in polite requests,
complaints and apologies, e.g. (1)Do sit down. (2)Do forgive me – I didn’t mean to interrupt.
Although do is not normally used as an auxiliary with be, do is used before be in negative and
emphatic imperatives, e.g. (1)Don’t be silly! (2)Do be quiet!
The imperative does not usually have a subject, but we can use a noun or pronoun to make it
clear who we are speaking to, e.g. (1)Mary come here – everybody else stay where you are.
(2)Somebody answer the phone. (3)Nobody move. (4)Relax everybody. The personal pronoun you
before an imperative can suggest emphatic persuasion or anger, e.g. (1)You just sit down and relax
for a bit. (2)You take your hands off me! Note the word order in negative imperatives with pronoun
subjects, e.g. (1)Don’t you believe it. (2)Don’t anybody say a word. In Old English the pronoun-
subject was generally placed after the verb. This word order is still found in some set expressions,
e.g. (1)Look you! (2)Mind you! Adverbs always and never come before imperatives, e.g. (1)Always
remember what I told you. (2)Never speak to me like that again.
Patterns with appended Will you, won’t you, would you, can you, can’t you, could you
express a less categorical command, sometimes a request, e.g. (1)Give me a hand, will you? (2)Get
me something to drink, can’t you? Commands are apt to sound abrupt unless toned down by markers
of politeness such as “please”, e.g. (1)Please eat up your dinner. (2)Shut the door, please. Even this
achieves only a minimum degree of ceremony; more tactful form of request can only be achieved by
changing the command into a question or a statement, e.g. (1)Will you shut the door, please? (2)I
wonder if you would kindly shut the door? (3)I wonder if you would mind shutting the door?
Let can be used to introduce suggestions and orders, when these are not addressed to the
hearer/ reader (or only to the hearer/ reader). This structure can be considered a kind of imperative.
1st person plural imperative We can use let us (formal) or let’s (informal) to make suggestions or to
give orders to a group that includes the speaker, e.g. (1)Let us pray. (2)OK, let’s all get moving.
Shall we? is used as a question tag in British English; let’s is used as a short answer, e.g. Let’s go for
a walk, shall we? Yes, let’s. There are two possible negatives, with let us not and do not let us
(informal let’s not/ don’t let’s), e.g. (1)Let us not despair (formal). (2)Let’s not get angry (informal).
(3)Do not let us forget those who came before us (formal). (4)Don’t let’s stay up too late tonight
(informal). Forms with don’t let’s (and let’s don’t in American English) are very informal.
1st person singular imperative Let me is used to “give instructions to oneself”; the expressions Let
me see and Let me think are very common, e.g. (1)“What time do you want to have your
breakfast?” “Let me think. Yes, I reckon eight o’clock will be early enough.” (2)Now what’s the best
way to get to Manchester? Let me see – suppose I take the M6 from Birmingham… (3)Let me get my
coat and I’ll be with you. In a very informal style, let’s is often used to mean let me, e.g. Let’s see.
Suppose I take the M6 from Birmingham…
3rd person imperative Let can also introduce a suggestion or order for someone or something else,
not the speaker or hearer. This is common in formal and ceremonial language, but informal uses are
also possible, e.g. “Your boyfriend’s going out with another girl.” “Let him. I don’t care.” Note the
structure with let + there be, e.g. Let there be no doubt in your minds about our intentions.
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 Subjunctive I
 Subjunctive I has no tenses, the same form being used for the present, past and future.
 It is homonymous with the Bare Infinitive (Indefinite Active or Passive):
e.g. He orders that we be present.
 The formal difference between Subjunctive I and the Indicative Mood has almost disappeared in
Modern English. The remaining forms in which Subjunctive I differs from the present Indicative
are:
 In the verb to be: I, he, she, it, we, you, they – be;
 In all other verbs where the form of the third person singular has no “s” – he have, he
speak, he go.
 Subjunctive I represents an action as problematic but not as contradicting reality. It is used to
express order, request, suggestion, supposition, purpose, etc.
 Subjunctive I is rather obsolete in Modern English. In British English its use is confined to
certain styles (poetry, high elevated prose, official documents). In everyday speech the
Suppositional Mood or modal phrases are used instead. Subjunctive I is commonly used in
American English.

Subjunctive I in Simple Sentences

In simple sentences Subjunctive I is used:

 To express wish (in a few isolated expressions as a survival of the old use of this mood):
e.g. Long live our country!
Be ours a happy meeting!
Success attend you!
Good luck attend you!
Subjunctive I can be replaced by a modal phrase “may + infinitive”
e.g. May our country live long!
May success attend you!

 To express concession:
e.g. So be it! Be it so!
Come what will!
Happen what may!
Be this as it may!
Be it rain or snow…
Subjunctive I can be replaced by a modal phrase “let + infinitive”:
e.g. Let it be so!
Let come what will!

 In some set expressions:

e.g. Suffice it to say that
Heaven / God forbid! Heaven forgive smb. God save smb./smth from…
Thank God! God be thanked! God bless you! God bless me / my soul!
Far be it from me to do…
If truth be known…
…if need be
…as it were…
God rest his soul/ Peace be to his ashes
 In oaths and imprecations:
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 e.g. Manners / Charity be hanged! Confound it/ you/ these flies! Damn! God damn it! The
devil take it! Hang it / all! Hang the fellow! Blast the fool!

 To express commands and requests, but only when the subject is an indefinite pronoun
(somebody, everybody) or partitive combination (one of you):
e.g. Somebody go and fetch me a piece of chalk!
Everybody leave the room!
Subjunctive I can be replaced by “let + infinitive”:
e.g. Let somebody go and fetch me a piece of chalk!

The Suppositional Mood

 The Suppositional Mood is an analytical mood. It is formed by combining the auxiliary verb
should for all persons with the Infinitive.

 The Present Suppositional is formed by the auxiliary verb

should + Indefinite/Continuous Infinitive

e.g. It is impossible that he should say so.

It is disappointing that you should be ill.
It is disappointing that you should be lying ill.

 The Past Suppositional is formed by the auxiliary verb

should + Perfect / Perfect Continuous Infinitive

e.g. It is impossible that he should have said so.

It is disappointing that you should have been lying ill when we came to invite you to
the party.

 The Suppositional Mood represents an action as problematic, but not necessarily contradicting
reality. The realization of the action may depend on certain circumstances, but these
circumstances are not contrary to fact.

 It is not used in simple sentences.

Subjunctive I and the Suppositional Mood in Complex Sentences

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 (Subjunctives: the Present Subjunctive corresponds to Subjunctive I;
the Past Subjunctive – to Subjunctive II)

The structure of some complex sentences demands the use of the Suppositional Mood in
subordinate clauses. In formal English Subjunctive I can be used instead of the Suppositional mood.
In less formal English we use a present tense form (but not if the rest of the sentence is in past).

I. SUBJUNCTIVE I AND THE PRESENT SUPPOSITIONAL ARE USED IN THE FOLLOWING

CLAUSES AND PATTERNS:

1. In subject clauses introduced by the anticipatory it after expressions of subjective appraisal:

necessary
important
is demanded smb (should) do smth
It was advisable that
will be arranged smth (should) be done
ordered
desirable
requested
It is necessary that we (should) be kept fully informed of any developments.

2. In object clauses after the verbs suggest, propose, etc. in the principal clause in the pattern:
suggest
propose
order smb (should) do smth
demand that
request smth (should) be done
move
insist
arrange
I suggested that I should act as escort to one of the ladies.

3. In object clauses in the pattern:

necessary
important
think demanded smb (should) do smth
believe it advisible that
consider arranged smth (should) be done
find ordered
desirable
better
We believe it important that the agreement be concluded.

4. In object clauses after expressions of fear when the object clause is introduced by the conjunction
lest:
to fear / be fearful
be afraid
to worry / dread smb (should) do smth
be uneasy lest
be terrified smth (should) be done
tremble
I am afraid lest it should be late.

BUT:

to fear / be fearful note: after expressions of fear the

be afraid «may + infinitive» (for the present
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 to worry / dread and future), «might + infinitive»
be uneasy that smb may/ might do smth (for the past) are used in the
be terrified clause introduced by that
tremble

I fear(ed) that I may (might) disturb you.

Note: if the clause of fear is introduced as an actual fact the Indicative Mood is used:
He fears that he will be blamed.

5. In attributive clauses modifying the nouns order, request, etc.:

order
request
demand
have suggestion
make proposal smb (should) do smth
express idea that
give wish
arrangement smth (should) be done
recommendation
rule
motion
He gave an order that nobody should leave the room.

6. In predicative clauses introduced by the conjunction that when the subject of the principal clause
is expressed by an abstract noun order, etc:
order
request
demand smb (should) do smth
suggestion is
proposal was that
idea will be
wish
arrangement smth (should) be done
recommendation
rule
motion
The order was that nobody should leave the room.

7. In adverbial clauses of purpose introduced by the conjunction lest:

do smth lest smb (should) do smth

Do it at once lest she should change her mind.

Draw me a plan lest I should lose my way.
BUT:

so that smb may/can/ not do smth

do smth that smb might/could/ not do smth
in order that

8. In adverbial clauses of concession after though, although, whatever, whoever, however, no

matter, whenever, wherever:
Whoever you (should) be, you have no right to do so.

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 II. BOTH TENSES OF THE SUPPOSITIONAL MOOD ARE USED IN THE
FOLLOWING PATTERNS:
1. In subject clauses of the kind:
understandable
natural
characteristic smb should do smth
surprising that
is strange, odd smth should have done smth
It doubtful
was impossible
unpleasant
a pity
a shame
essential
inevitable
It is natural that he should accept the offer.

Note: with the expressions «it is possible», «it is probable», «it is likely»
«may + infinitive» is used:
It is possible (probable, likely) that he may come tomorrow.

2. In object clauses in the pattern:

natural
strange
think curious smb should do smth
believe it odd that smth should be done
consider pleasant smb should have done
find unpleasant smth should have been done
possible
impossible
He believed it impossible that anybody should have coped with the task.

3. In object clauses after the expressions be astonished, etc.:

be astonished smb should do smth
be surprised smth should be done
be sorry that smb should have done smth
be pleased smth should have been done
be grieved
I was pleased that she should have mentioned my book.

4. In attributive clauses modifying the nouns fear, worry, anxiety, dread after the conjunction lest:
have fear smb should do smth
express worry lest smth should be done
feel dread smb should have done smth
anxiety smth should have been done
She had a constant fear lest something should happen to her son.

BUT:

have fear smb may/ might do smth

express worry that
feel dread smb may/might have done smth
anxiety
She had a constant fear that something might happen.

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5. In predicative clauses introduced by the conjunction lest after the nouns fear, etc.:
fear is smb should do smth
worry was lest smth should be done
dread will be smb should have done smth
anxiety smth should have been done
Her only fear is lest she should be mistaken.
BUT:

fear is smb may/ might do smth

worry was that
dread will be smb may/might have dome smth
anxiety
Her only worry is/was that there may/might be something wrong.

THE SUPPOSITIONAL MOOD IS USED:

1. In indirect questions beginning with why (Subjunctive I is possible but rare):

Nobody could explain why he should have done so.
2. Modifying the noun regret:
She expressed her regret that things should have taken a bad turn.
3. Modifying the noun time:
It is high / about time you should go.
NOTE: Subjunctive II is in more common use here:
It is time we went home.
4. In conditional clauses when the fulfilment of the condition is unlikely though possible:
If I should meet her tomorrow I should / shall speak to her.

SUBJUNCTIVE I IS USED:

1. After the conjunction unless in the language of official documents:

The tariff shall apply to all merchandise shipped to all ports unless they be free ports.
2. In indirect questions beginning with if / whether and depending on expressions of negative
or doubtful meaning:
We cannot tell if it be true.

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 Subjunctive II
•Subjunctive II represents an action as contrary to reality:
e.g. I wish he were with us (my desire contradicts the actual state of things - he is not
with us).

•Subjunctive II has two tenses: the present and the past.

The present Subjunctive is homonymous with the Past Indefinite or Past Continuous.
The past Subjunctive II is homonymous with the Past Perfect or Past Perfect Continuous .
•The verb be has the form were for all persons:
e.g. he, she it were, I were.

Subjunctive II in Simple Sentences

Subjunctive II is used in simple sentences to express:

1. Advice in a set expression had better / 'd better:

somebody had better do/not do smth
e.g. You had better go there at once.

2. Preference in set expressions

had rather/'d rather, had sooner/'d sooner, would rather, would sooner
somebody would/had rather/sooner do/not do smth
e.g. I would rather leave it to you.

3. An unreal wish in sentences beginning with Oh, that, Oh if, If, If only.
If only somebody did something
e.g. If only I knew it for sure!
4. Subjunctive II of modal verbs is often used to express that something is desirable,
advisible,
possible:
e.g. What should I do to make us happier?
Can you tell us if there's a farm where we could stay the night.
Modal verbs have no past Subjunctive II. Reference to the past is made by using the perfect
infinitive:
e.g. You really should have helped your friend.

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 Subjunctive II in Complex Sentences
Subjunctive II is used in:
1. In clauses after the expression of wish:

somebody did/did not do smth

wishes smb were doing smth
smb wished smth were done
will wish smb had done smth
smth had been
done
e.g. I wished I knew what to say, what to do.

Note: To make the sentence more emphatic «would + infinitive» is used with reference to
the future, provided the subjects are different: e.g. There was silence between us, I
wished she would go away.

2. Clauses after expressions of preference:

'd smb did not do smth

smb had rather
would smb had not done smth

e.g. I'd rather you went there.

I'd rather you had told the truth.

3. Indirect questions beginning with if or whether and depending on expression of negative

or doubtful meaning:
e.g. While I went to see if this were possible, she waited in the hall.

4. In clauses introduced by the conjunctions as if, as though, with the link

verbs be, look, seem, feel

be/not
look as if sb did smth
seem as though sb had done smth
feel

e.g. It's not as if you knew him.

5. In clauses modifying the noun time:

e.g. It's time he came.

6. After the conjunctions even if, even though to express concession:

e.g. Even though he were here, he would not help us.

7. After the conjunctions as if, as though to express comparison or manner:

e.g. He loved the child as if she were his own daughter.

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 The Conditional Mood

The Present Conditional is formed by the auxiliary verb

should (first person) + Indefinite/Continuous Infinitive

would (second and third person)

e.g. If I were not busy I should go with you.

If I hadn’t such a headache, I should be working now.

The Past Conditional is formed by the auxiliary verb

should/ would + Perfect / Perfect Continuous Infinitive

e.g. If I had not been so busy, I should have gone with you.
If you had come at seven o’clock, I should have been working at my English.

The unreality of an action represented by the Conditional Mood is due to the absence of the
necessary circumstances on which the realization of the action depends.

1. The Conditional Mood is used in sentences with implied condition:

I, we should do/ should have done sth
He, she, it, they would do/ would have done sth
I should not say so. He would make a good doctor.

2. The Conditional Mood is used in sentences with unreal condition (introduced by but for sth):
But for sth I, we should do/ should have done sth
Sb would do/ would have done sth
But for the rain we should go.

3. The Conditional Mood is used in sentences with implied condition in the pattern :
to do sth would do
to have done sth would have done
To do so would result in complications. To have done so would have spoiled his
chances.

4. The Conditional Mood is used in the second clause of a compound sentence connected by the
conjunctions or or by the conjunctive adverb otherwise expressing what may be understood as
an unreal consequence, the condition of which is not expressed as such:
otherwise I, we should do/ should have done sth
or Sb would do/ would have done sth
He knew it to be nonsense or it would have frightened him. I shall have to take my
sister to the pictures. Otherwise I should stay.
 Complex Sentences with Subordinate Clauses of Condition
There are three main types of conditional sentences.
First conditional (or Type 1 conditional) is used to talk about something that will or will not
(probably) happen in the future. The condition is quite likely to be fulfilled:

If he finishes work early, he will go home.

present simple future simple

 We can use all present tenses after if, not just the simple present:
If he has finished work by 4 o’clock, he will go home.

 We can use all future tenses in the main clauses, not just the future simple:
If he doesn’t hurry, the plane will have left by the time he gets to the airport.

 When we use will in the main clause, we are expressing certainty or near-certainty:
If the weather clears, we’ll go for a walk. (certain, or near-certain)
If we do not feel “certain” enough to use will, we can use another modal to say what is
possible, necessary or desirable:
If it’s fine tomorrow, we may go for a swim. (it’s possible)
If it’s fine tomorrow, we must go for a swim. (it’s necessary or desirable to do this)

 If + should, instead of if + present simple, makes the condition more doubtful or very polite:
If I should see him, I’ll ask him to ring you. (Cf: If I see him, I’ll ask him to ring you.)

 We can use the imperative in place of an if-clause to comment, threaten, request, etc.
We follow the imperative with and in place of an if-clause in the affirmative:
If you fail to pay, they’ll cut off the electricity. – Fail to pay and they’ll cut off the
electricity.
We follow the imperative with or in place of an if-clause in the negative:
If you don’t stop borrowing money, you’ll be in trouble. – Stop borrowing money, or
you’ll be in trouble.

Second conditional (or Type 2 conditional) is used to talk about a present situation which is
impossible:

If my parents were alive, they would be very proud of me now.

past simple would+infinitive

 We sometimes use Type 2 conditional to describe something that is reasonably possible. The
past tense form does not refer to past time:
If you went by train, you would get there earlier.

 We use were in place of was after if in all persons (Subjunctive II):

If I were better qualified, I would apply for the job.
We use If I were you and If I were in your position to give advice. We can also refer to
somebody else:
If I were in Jane’s position, I’d look for a new job.
 When we use would in the main clause, we are expressing as much certainty as possible:
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 If he knew the facts, he would tell us what to do. (certain, or near-certain)
If we do not feel “certain” enough to use would, we can use another modal to say what would
be possible or necessary:
If he knew the facts, he might tell us what to do. (it’s possible)
If he knew the facts, he should tell us what to do. (it’s necessary)

Third conditional (or Type 3 conditional) is used to talk about something in the past that did not
happen:

If she had worked harder, she would have passed the exams.
past perfect would+perfect infinitive
If I had been trying harder, I would have succeeded.
past perfect continuous would+perfect infinitive

 We often use If I had been you and If I had been in your position to describe what we
would have done in someone else’s position:
If I had been you, I would have accepted their offer.

 When we use would have in the main clause, we are expressing as much certainty as
possible:
If he had known the facts, he would have told us what to do. (certain, or near-certain)
If we do not feel “certain” enough to use would have, we can use another modal to say what
would have been possible:
If he had known the facts, he might have told us what to do. (it’s possible)
If he had known the facts, he could have told us what to do. (he would have been able)

***
Mixed conditionals
We do not always have to stick rigidly to the “three types of conditional sentences”. There are
occasions when we can use any tenses in if-clauses, depending on the context:
If I am as clever as you say I am, I would have been rich by now. Type 1 + Type 3
If you knew me better, you wouldn’t have said it. Type 2 + Type 3
If I had had your advantages, I would be better off now. Type 3 + Type 2

Conjunctions Introducing Conditional Clauses

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 You sometimes use modals in conditional clauses to express something desirable, advisable,
possible, etc. In the main clause, you can still use a present tense for events that happen often,
will for events that are quite likely in the future, would for an event that is unlikely to happen,
and would have for events that were possible but did not happen, e.g. If they must have it
today, they will have to come at five o’clock. If I could only find time, I’d do it gladly. If you
could have seen him, you would have laughed too.

 In simple sentences to express surprise, indignation, disappointment, joy, etc. should +

Infinitive is used. Those sentences are emotionally coloured. The modal verb should
sometimes weakens its meaning to a great extent, thus approaching its auxiliary function in
forming the Suppositional Mood. Should is sometimes used to express greater uncertainty,
e.g. If any visitors should come, I’ll say you aren’t here.

 In formal English, if the first verb in a conditional clause is had, should or were, you can put
the verb at the beginning of a clause and omit if. For example, instead of saying If he should
come, I will tell him you are sick, it is possible to say Should he come, I will tell him you are
sick, e.g. Were it all true, it would still not excuse their actions. Had I known, I would not
have done it.

 We can use if … not and unless in place of each other when we are saying “except if”.
Unless is “stronger” than if not and we sometimes use it in warnings, e.g. Unless you work
harder, you are not going to pass the examination. (or If you do not work harder, you are not
going to pass the examination.
We cannot use unless in place of if not when if not doesn’t mean “except if”, e.g. I’ll be
surprised if he does not win.
We often use unless (never if not) to introduce an afterthought, e.g. I couldn’t have got to the
meeting – unless, of course, I had caught an earlier train.

 Besides these conjunctions you can also use as long as, so long as, even if, on (the)
condition (that), provided (that), providing (that), suppose (that), supposing (that)
assuming (that). These expressions mean “but only if”. E.g. She was prepared to come,
provided that she could bring her daughter. Providing they remained at a safe distance, we
would be all right.

 In case is not the same as if. Compare these sentences: 1) We’ll buy some more food if Brian
comes. (= Perhaps Brian will come; if he comes, we’ll buy some more food; if he doesn’t
come, we won’t buy any more food.) 2) We’ll buy some more food in case Brian comes. (=
Perhaps Brian will come; we’ll buy some more food now, whether he comes or not; then
we’ll already have the food if he comes.) We can also use in case to say why someone did
something in the past, e.g. We bought some more food in case Brian came. (= because it was
possible that Brian would come)
Note: In case of is different from in case. “In case of fire” means “if there is a fire”, e.g. In
case of emergency, telephone this number. (= if there is an emergency)

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