Indicative
Definition: the most common verb mood, expresses statements and questions of fact or opinion.
Example: Did you go to school yesterday?
Imperative
Definition: expresses direct commands, advice, and requests, for which “you” is the understood subject.
Example: Shut the garage!
Subjunctive
Definition: expresses wishes, hypothetical situations, and indirect advice and requests
Example: I wish I had found a nicer house for next fall.
Infinitive
Definition: expresses an action or state without reference to any subject. It can be the source of sentence fragments when the writer mistakenly thinks the infinitive form is a fully-functioning verb.
Example: She came to see you yesterday.
Conditional
Definition: Indicating a conditional state that will cause something else to happen.
Example: The light might die out if I jiggle that switch.
Practice
Use these examples to practice verb moods:
I came over yesterday.
I wanted that watch I found for Christmas.
She might fall if she keeps jumping.
Turn of that light!
I came over yesterday.
I wanted that watch I found for Christmas.
She might fall if she keeps jumping.
Turn of that light!
Quiz
1) Give an example of a Conditional Verb Mood.
2) Identify this Verb Mood:
Stop right there!
3) Give an example of an Infinitive Verb Mood.
4) Give an example of a Subjunctive Verb Mood.
5) Give an example of a Indicative Verb Mood.
6) True/False: this sentence is a Imperative Verb Mood.
Don't touch that mister!
2) Identify this Verb Mood:
Stop right there!
3) Give an example of an Infinitive Verb Mood.
4) Give an example of a Subjunctive Verb Mood.
5) Give an example of a Indicative Verb Mood.
6) True/False: this sentence is a Imperative Verb Mood.
Don't touch that mister!
Quiz Answers
1) Sample sentence: If I jump over that ledge I might break my leg.
2) Imperative
3) Sample sentence: I went to his house yesterday, but he wasn't there.
4) Sample sentence: I wish I had made my bed before I got home.
5) Sample sentence: Did you remember to clean the dishes from last night?
6) True
2) Imperative
3) Sample sentence: I went to his house yesterday, but he wasn't there.
4) Sample sentence: I wish I had made my bed before I got home.
5) Sample sentence: Did you remember to clean the dishes from last night?
6) True