Mood in Grammar

What Is Mood in Grammar? (with Examples)

Mood is the form a verb takes to show how it is to be regarded (e.g., as a fact, a command, a wish, an uncertainty).

There are three moods in English:

The Indicative Mood (with Examples)

The indicative mood states a fact or asks a question. For example:

She is driving the car.
Is she driving the car?

The Imperative Mood (with Examples)

The imperative mood expresses a command or a request. For example:

Drive the car!
Please drive the car.

The Subjunctive Mood (with Examples)

The subjunctive mood shows a wish or doubt. For example:

I suggest that she drive the car.
I propose that she be asked to drive the car.
If I were there, I would drive the car.

Mood and Sentence Type

With the exception of an imperative sentence, the sentence type gives no indication to the mood. Look at these examples:

Mood	Sentence Type
Indicative Mood	It has arrived. (This is a declarative sentence.) It's arrived! (This is an exclamatory sentence.) Has it arrived? (This is an interrogative sentence.)
Imperative Mood	Please leave. (This is an imperative sentence.) Get out! (This is an imperative sentence and an exclamatory sentence.)
Subjunctive Mood	If I were there, I would. (This is a declarative sentence.) I demand he be removed! (This is an exclamatory sentence.) What if he were there? (This is an interrogative sentence.)

A Quick Test

Help Us To Improve English Grammar Lessons

Do you disagree with something on this page?
Did you spot a typo?

Please tell us using this form.