Verb moods are defined by five major groups; indicative, imperative, interrogative, conditional, and subjunctive. Personally, I can tell the verb moods by reading them in my head, imagining someone saying it to me. Some verb moods are like sentence types (declarative- indicative, imperative, interrogative).
The indicative verb mood indicates what is happening. Most sentences are in this verb mood, and it usually describes, is a fact, or is a detail. Lucy eats pie when she is hungry.
The imperative verb mood commands someone to do something. Do you remember the kinds of sentences? (exclamatory, imperative, interrogative, declarative) Imperative verbs are just like imperative sentences! The subject of the sentence is sometimes cut off from the sentence, which is a good sign of the verb mood. You will eat pie! (you) Eat my pie!
The interrogative verb mood asks a question. A strong indicator is when the verb is placed before the subject and there is a question mark. Will Lucy eat pie when she is hungry?
The conditional verb mood suggests something will happen because of the situation. The major verbs that are used for the conditional verb mood are would, could, and might. Lucy might eat pie when she is hungry.
The last verb mood is the subjunctive verb mood. However, the use of this verb mood has declined greatly. The subjunctive verb mood is a situation that is not real. The subjunctive verb mood is used in hypothetical situations. If Lucy was a unicorn, she would eat more pie than cupcakes. I wish I was a unicorn.
The indicative verb mood indicates what is happening. Most sentences are in this verb mood, and it usually describes, is a fact, or is a detail. Lucy eats pie when she is hungry.
The imperative verb mood commands someone to do something. Do you remember the kinds of sentences? (exclamatory, imperative, interrogative, declarative) Imperative verbs are just like imperative sentences! The subject of the sentence is sometimes cut off from the sentence, which is a good sign of the verb mood. You will eat pie! (you) Eat my pie!
The interrogative verb mood asks a question. A strong indicator is when the verb is placed before the subject and there is a question mark. Will Lucy eat pie when she is hungry?
The conditional verb mood suggests something will happen because of the situation. The major verbs that are used for the conditional verb mood are would, could, and might. Lucy might eat pie when she is hungry.
The last verb mood is the subjunctive verb mood. However, the use of this verb mood has declined greatly. The subjunctive verb mood is a situation that is not real. The subjunctive verb mood is used in hypothetical situations. If Lucy was a unicorn, she would eat more pie than cupcakes. I wish I was a unicorn.
PRACTICE
Can you tell the verb mood?
1. I don't like how you are reading this.
2. Turn upside down.
3. Will you please stop making dolphin noises?
4. I could faint right here if you make origami cranes.
5. Would you stop making your bad knock knock jokes?
6. Flip a coin.
7. She might slap you if you keep annoying her.
8. I don't like your chair.
9. If I were the president, I would paint the world purple.
10. If he wasn't so short, maybe he would the coconut warrior of the zoo.
11. Maybe if you wouldn't do it wrong I wouldn't have to yell at you.
12. Teach me how to work this math problem!
13. I just wanted to say, your hair looks great today.
14. Do you want me to cut your hair?
15. Can you help me with this problem?
16. If I were to eat all your pie, I think you would be enraged.
17. She would stop being your friend if you stole her dog.
18. I think you need a new gerbil.
19. Stop driving now!
20. I might just have to steal Marco's pencil today.
21. I think it would be interesting if one day birds suddenly stopped flying.
22. Misha hates cats.
23. Get rid of that bug right now!
24. May I use the restroom?
25. I wish I was a fish so I could beat everyone at water games.
Can you tell the verb mood?
1. I don't like how you are reading this.
2. Turn upside down.
3. Will you please stop making dolphin noises?
4. I could faint right here if you make origami cranes.
5. Would you stop making your bad knock knock jokes?
6. Flip a coin.
7. She might slap you if you keep annoying her.
8. I don't like your chair.
9. If I were the president, I would paint the world purple.
10. If he wasn't so short, maybe he would the coconut warrior of the zoo.
11. Maybe if you wouldn't do it wrong I wouldn't have to yell at you.
12. Teach me how to work this math problem!
13. I just wanted to say, your hair looks great today.
14. Do you want me to cut your hair?
15. Can you help me with this problem?
16. If I were to eat all your pie, I think you would be enraged.
17. She would stop being your friend if you stole her dog.
18. I think you need a new gerbil.
19. Stop driving now!
20. I might just have to steal Marco's pencil today.
21. I think it would be interesting if one day birds suddenly stopped flying.
22. Misha hates cats.
23. Get rid of that bug right now!
24. May I use the restroom?
25. I wish I was a fish so I could beat everyone at water games.
ANSWER KEY
1. indicative
2. imperative
3. interrogative
4. conditional
5. interrogative
6. imperative
7. conditional
8. indicative
9. subjunctive
10. subjunctive
11. conditional
12. imperative
13. indicative
14. interrogative
15. interrogative
16. subjunctive
17. conditional
18. indicative
19. imperative
20. conditional
21. subjunctive
22. indicative
23. imperative
24. interrogative
25. subjunctive