Verb Moods

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is an example of a verb using the past perfect progressive?

• will have baked

• had been baking

• baked

• had baked

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is written using present progressive?

• has written

• is writing

• will be writing

• writes

Multiple Choice

What is the verb/verb phrase in the following sentence?

I have been studying for the final exam for weeks.

• have been

• studying

• have been studying

• have

Verbs have...

• types (action, linking, helping)

• tenses (simple, perfect, progressive, perfect progressive)

• MOODS!

VERB MOOD

The mood of a verb refers to the manner in which a verb is expressed; it is the attitude a verb conveys in a sentence

Changing the verb’s mood will change the tone of the sentence

Indicative Mood

Expresses an assertion, or statement of fact, or opinion

Most verbs are used in this mood

Example:

This book is 300 pages. (a statement of fact is expressed)

Last year, I ate a sandwich for lunch almost every day. (states an apparent fact)

Imperative Mood

Expresses command; is used  to give order and make requests

The subject ‘you’ is often implied rather than stated in the sentence.

Example:

Sit in your seat and take out your homework. (two commands are given in one sentence)

Wait for your brother before walking home

Interrogative Mood

Expresses a state of questioning

The subject and verb are often inverted or switched in order to turn a sentence into a question

Example:

Did you read your novel for homework last night? (asks a question)

Have you completed the final project? (asks a question)

Conditional Mood

Expresses a condition or a hypothetical situation; indicates a conditional state that will cause something else to happen; or one thing depends on another

Used to talk about situations that depend on something else happening or somsthing else being true​

Sentences formed in this mood often use words such as: might, could, WOULD, may

clauses in the conditional mood often appear before or after a clause starting with IF, which lays out what must happen to be true.

​

Conditional Mood

​Examples:

If I study my notes on verb moods, I will do well on the quiz. (a hypothetical situation is expressed)

She could be happy if she makes the soccer team.

We would take a trip to Brazil if we had more money.

I might be able to reach him if I call his cell phone.

We could see a different movie if you would like. ​

Subjunctive Mood

Expresses doubt, contradictions, or something that is counterfactual (hypothetical situations that are not true or not possible under current circumstances), hoped/wished for, or feared; could also express something that is impossible

Expresses a preference, recommendation, request or suggestion

Sentences in this mood have sentence starters such as: I wish that, I hope that, I desire that, If

​When this mood is used in indirect commands, suggestions, or requests, the base form of the verb is used for all subjects.

EX: My coach suggested that I run five miles every morning.

My friend's coach suggested that she run five miles every morning.​

Subjunctive Mood

​When the subjunctive mood is used in counterfactuals, it often appers in a clause that begins with IF. This use of the subjunctive mood is expressed with the plural past-tense form of the verb for all subjects/persons.

Examples:

If I were a faster runner, I would run ten miles every morning.

If Jonathan were a millionaire, he would travel around the world in a hot air balloon. ​

If she were a butterfly, she would have beautiful, colorful wings.

​If we were superheros, we would save the world.

Subjunctive Mood

​

Examples:

​I wish I were taller.

​Dana suggested that we see a movie.

The nurse requested that we be patient.

The teacher recommends that the students review their notes before the quiz.

Jackie ​prefers Chick Fil A to Shake Shack.

Shift in Verb Mood

A shift in the verb mood occurs when more than one mood is used in the same sentence. Avoid shifting the mood within one sentence. 

Example:

Raise your hand, and then can you ask your question?

“Raise your hand” is imperative (giving a command)

“Can you ask your question?” is interrogative (asks a question)

Revised example:

Raise your hand and then ask your question.

Let's Practice

Choose the best answer!

Multiple Choice

Identify the statement that uses the verb mood in the interrogative.

• Do you think I am made of money?

• I wish you were employed for once.

• Stop asking me for more money.

• I could loan you money if you paid me back.

Multiple Choice

“Our healthcare may improve if everyone ate healthier.”

Which word makes this sentence conditional in mood?

• may

• ate

• healthier

• improve

Multiple Choice

Which verb mood is the following sentence written in?

She would go if you asked.

• Indicative Mood

• Imperative Mood

• Subjunctive Mood

• Conditional Mood

Multiple Choice

Which of these sentences uses the imperative mood?

• Why do you take your dog to the park in the rain?

• She might let you explain yourself if you try.

• Last but not least, be true to yourself.

• He wishes he were funnier.

Multiple Choice

What is the verb mood used?

I suggest that you dress warmly because the temperature is dropping.

• indicative

• imperative

• subjunctive

• conditional

Multiple Choice

Which verb mood is the following sentence written in?

I like the red dress best of all.

• Indicative Mood

• Imperative Mood

• Subjunctive Mood

• Conditional Mood

Multiple Choice

What is the verb mood?

Sit in your seat.

• indicative

• imperative

• interrogative

• conditional

Multiple Choice

What is the verb mood?

If she could have one superpower, she would want to fly.

• conditional

• subjunctive

• imperative

• indicative

Multiple Choice

What mood is the following sentence?

"Tear up the planks!"

• Indicative

• Imperative

• Subjunctive

• Infinitive

Multiple Choice

What verb mood is used in this sentence?

Can we go to the movies today?

• subjunctive

• conditional

• interrogative

• imperative

Independent Practice

In Google Classroom, open to the assignment titled, "Verb Moods Practice"

Multiple Choice

If Jane were our friend, she would not have spoken so callously to us.

• conditional

• subjunctive

• imperative

• indicative

• interrogative

Multiple Choice

My grandmother will take me to a movie and out to eat if I help her clean out her garage

• conditional

• subjunctive

• imperative

• indicative

• interrogative

Multiple Choice

As Sherry finished her solo, she wished she were able to stay on the stage forever, listening to her fans' applause.

• conditional

• subjunctive

• imperative

• indicative

• interrogative

Multiple Choice

The angry mob was analogous to a pack of fierce wolves.

• conditional

• subjunctive

• imperative

• indicative

• interrogative

Multiple Choice

If you will stop whistling, I will stop the cacophony of my singing.

• conditional

• subjunctive

• imperative

• indicative

• interrogative

Multiple Choice

If Great Aunt Lucy had bequeathed her land to me, I would have done more with it than my lazy cousin did.

• conditional

• subjunctive

• imperative

• indicative

• interrogative

Multiple Choice

If we prove that we are responsible, our parents will give us more autonomy.

• conditional

• subjunctive

• imperative

• indicative

• interrogative

Multiple Choice

Did you cajole your parents into letting you go on the camping trip?

• conditional

• subjunctive

• imperative

• indicative

• interrogative

Multiple Choice

Do not make me finish my dinner since I have an aversion to seafood.

• conditional

• subjunctive

• imperative

• indicative

• interrogative

Multiple Choice

What images help you determine the mood of this Langston Hughes poem?

• conditional

• subjunctive

• imperative

• indicative

• interrogative

Multiple Choice

If Mandy plans well, her party will be fabulous!

• conditional

• subjunctive

• imperative

• indicative

• interrogative

Multiple Choice

The new coach did not have any animosity toward the team members.

• conditional

• subjunctive

• imperative

• indicative

• interrogative

Multiple Choice

We would have been happier this winter if we had experienced more snow!

• conditional

• subjunctive

• imperative

• indicative

• interrogative

Multiple Choice

Wait as patiently as you can for spring break!

• conditional

• subjunctive

• imperative

• indicative

• interrogative

Multiple Choice

Mom admonished me to finish my homework before dinner.

• conditional

• subjunctive

• imperative

• indicative

• interrogative

Multiple Choice

Joanna wished she were going to the beach this weekend.

• conditional

• subjunctive

• imperative

• indicative

• interrogative

Multiple Choice

Landon's strange behavior was just an aberration; he was back to normal the very next day.

• conditional

• subjunctive

• imperative

• indicative

• interrogative

Multiple Choice

Do not belittle someone else's accomplishments.

• conditional

• subjunctive

• imperative

• indicative

• interrogative

Multiple Choice

If Larry were kinder to his peers, he would have more true friends.

• conditional

• subjunctive

• imperative

• indicative

• interrogative

Multiple Choice

Verb moods are not a difficult challenge for Mrs. Monson's brilliant students!

• conditional

• subjunctive

• imperative

• indicative

• interrogative

Multiple Choice

Go to the edge of the cliff and look out at the beautiful view.

• indicative

• conditional

• imperative

• subjunctive

• interrogative

Multiple Choice

Has the package you ordered last week arrived yet?

• interrogative

• conditional

• subjunctive

• indicative

• imperative

Multiple Choice

If you want to be accepted into your first choice college, you should study hard for all of your exams.

• interrogative

• conditional

• subjunctive

• indicative

• imperative

Multiple Choice

Read every day so that you will have a deep understanding of the world.

• interrogative

• conditional

• subjunctive

• indicative

• imperative

Multiple Choice

If I were John, I would be practicing the song before the upcoming show.

• interrogative

• conditional

• subjunctive

• indicative

• imperative

Multiple Choice

Ethan squinted his eyes as he looked out at the dark road ahead of him.

• interrogative

• conditional

• subjunctive

• indicative

• imperative

Multiple Choice

The old door might open more easily if I put some grease on the hinges.

• interrogative

• conditional

• subjunctive

• indicative

• imperative

Multiple Choice

How long has he been training to climb Mount Everest?

• interrogative

• conditional

• subjunctive

• indicative

• imperative

Multiple Choice

I wish there was a way to keep a puppy small forever.

• interrogative

• conditional

• subjunctive

• indicative

• imperative

Multiple Choice

Cauliflower has to be the most disgusting vegetable ever.

• interrogative

• conditional

• subjunctive

• indicative

• imperative