Correcting Verb Mood Shifts

Verb Moods

By Ginny Phillips

​express a fact or opinion

• ​I am too ill to go to school today

• ​My English class is amazing!

• ​It is hot outside

Indicative Mood

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Multiple Choice

Which sentence is in the indicative mood?

• The cafeteria is serving cheeseburgers for lunch.

• Is the cafeteria serving cheeseburgers for lunch?

• I wish the cafeteria were serving cheeseburgers for lunch.

• A cheeseburger would make the best lunch.

Open Ended

Rewrite this sentence to be in the indicative:

I would be a great actress.

gives a command, omitting the subject

• ​Go to school

• Get up and get dressed

• ​Eat a healthy breakfast

Imperative Mood

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Multiple Choice

Which sentence is in the imperative mood?

• I packed my lunch today.

• Pack your lunch.

• Did you pack your lunch today?

• I wish you would pack your lunch!

Open Ended

Rewrite this sentence to be in the imperative:

Can you make your bed?

asks a question

• ​Where is your school at?

• What does the fox say?

• ​Are you going to play soccer after school?

Interrogative Mood​

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is in the interrogative mood?

• I would go to the theater if my mom would let me.

• Go to the movie theater.

• Have you been to the movie theater?

• I'm going to the movie theater at 3:45

Open Ended

Rewrite this sentence to be in the interrogative:

Sit down!

Expresses something contrary to fact, or makes a suggestion, uses a that clause.

• ​I wish the weather were warmer today.

Subjunctive Mood​

Multiple Choice

Which of the following sentences is in the subjunctive mood?

• I recommend that you wear a coat today

• You could wear a coat to keep warm

• Wear a coat.

• I will wear a coat since the weather is below 40 degrees.

Conditional Mood

Some text here about the topic of discussion

• If I'm hungry, then I'll make a sandwich

• I might decide to go to Tina's house on Friday​

Examples:

expresses a possibility or uncertainty, often using could, would, or might

Special Rule:

Don’t mix indicative and conditional moods!

“If” does NOT go with was →→→→“If” goes with were

Yes: If I were a butterfly, I would fly.

NO: If I was a butterfly, I would fly.

“was” is only for past tense (indicative mood)!

Okay: When I was a butterfly, I flew. (indicative)

Inappropriate Shifts in Mood

Remember, the mood must match throughout the entire sentence.

Inappropriate Shift in Mood Example:If I was rich, I would buy a ranch far
away from everybody.
This sentence mixes indicative and conditional moods.
It should remain consistent throughout.

Let’s Fix it!
If I were rich, I would buy a ranch far away from everybody.

OR

When I was rich, I bought a ranch far away from everybody.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is in the conditional mood?

• I'm going to the school dance with Marissa.

• Are you going to the school dance?

• I wish I could go to the school dance

• I would go to the school dance if I weren't grounded.

Open Ended

Rewrite this sentence to be in the subjunctive mood:

I'll visit my grandma this weekend.

Open Ended

What do we call a verb mood that projects uncertainty?

Multiple Choice

I express an assertion, facts, or opinions. I present the “normal” verb form. What mood am I?

(Hint: "Hello Captain Obvious!)

• Imperative

• Subjunctive

• Infinitive

• Indicative

Dropdown

Wendy should be the driver on the road trip since Leon​

Select answer

too reckless behind the wheel.

Dropdown

The teacher requests that students ​

Select answer

​ on their best behavior during the principal's observation.

Dropdown

The tour guide recommends that Michelle ​

Select answer

an extra water bottle with her for the hike.

Dropdown

My computer repair business would be thriving if I ​

Select answer

better at marketing.

Dropdown

Mrs. Pickens would learn how to skateboard if she ​

Select answer

twenty years younger.