Mood. General Information

Mood is the form of the verb that shows in what relation to reality the speaker places the action expressed by the predicate verb.

There are the following three moods in English:

· the Indicative Mood,

· the Imperative Mood,and

· the Subjunctive Mood.

The Indicative Mood presents actions as real facts: We are happy. No one has washed the dishes yet. They invited me to the party.

The Indicative Mood has the categories of tense, aspect, voice, number and person (see Part II): Jane hasn't been here for a year. He is going to college. He can't be relied on.

The Imperative Mood expresses a command or request. The verb in the Imperative Mood has practically only one form which coincides with the stem of the verb: Introduce me to your friend. Don't speak to me in such a tone!

The verb let is used, as a rule, with imperative first and third person expressions, as Let us assemble in the hall! or Let every one sign his name.

The Subjunctive Mood of a verb indicates action or state as supposed or imagined or as contrary to the fact:

If only I had much money! (but I don’t have it) – Если бы у меня были (сейчас) деньги! (но у меня их нет)

If only I hadn’t failed my English exam! (but I failed) – Если бы только я не провалил свой экзамен по английскому языку! (но я провалил).