What is Mood in English Grammar?

Mood refers to the verb forms that express the speaker’s attitude toward the action or state described by the verb. Understanding mood in English grammar enhances clarity and effectiveness in communication. By recognising and using different moods appropriately—indicative for statements, imperative for commands, subjunctive for wishes and hypotheticals—you can convey your thoughts more precisely. In this blog, we will explore the different moods in English, their functions, and examples to illustrate their usage.

Read more blogs on Learn English here!

What is Mood in English Grammar?

In English grammar, mood is a feature of verbs that conveys the speaker’s intention, attitude, or modality concerning the action or state expressed. Unlike tense, which indicates when an action occurs, mood reflects how the speaker feels about that action—whether it’s a statement of fact, a command, a wish, or a hypothetical situation.

Also Read: Tenses Cheat Sheet to Help You Learn English Easily

Moods in English can be categorised into six categories, let us look at each one of them in detail.

Types of Mood in English Grammar

Based on whether verbs can express commands, facts, surprises, questions, possibilities, conditions or wishes. They can further be categorised into the following categories.

Let us look at each of the mood in detail.

Imperative Mood

All those sentences which convey commands, orders and even requests come under an imperative mood. In simpler words, all imperative sentences are said to be in the imperative mood. All actions stated in the imperative mood are yet to take place and chances are that they might not happen. 

Here is the structure for implementing imperative mood into your sentences:

Basic Structure: The sentence must begin with the base form of the verb which is the imperative verb, the subject is generally not explicitly stated and is implied to be ‘you’.  For Example: Call me when you reach home. Negative Imperative Sentence: To create negative sentences, you can simply add ‘do not’ or ‘don’t’ before the imperative verb. This structure is used to express a prohibition or instruct someone not to do something. For Example: Do not smoke in here.

What is the use of Imperative Mood?

The use of imperative mood in sentences is as follows:

1. To give orders
2. To give instructions
3. To give directions
4. To give advice or suggestions
5. To make a request
6. To make an invitation
7. To give warnings

Declarative (Indicative) Mood

Declarative/Indicative mood is one of the most commonly used in the English language. It is used to express facts, moods, opinions and general statements. It suggests if something happened or did not happen. All dare declarative sentences typically begin with a subject and are followed by a verb, other words can also be added. 

Furthermore, declarative sentences can further be categorised into two categories:

1. Affirmative Declarative Mood: Example: She lives in Canada
2. Negative Declarative Mood: Example: She doesn’t live in Canada

Interrogative Mood

This type of mood is typically used to ask questions in an interrogative sentence. These types of sentences are used by those who are seeking clarification. Similarly, there are two types of interrogative questions:

1. Yes/No questions
2. Wh- questions 

A ‘question mark’ is added at the end of an interrogative sentence. Take a look at these two examples:

1. Are you coming to the party?
2. Where do you live?

Exclamatory Mood

The exclamatory mood in the English language describes a strong emotion or surprise. In an exclamatory sentence, one can convey excitement, anger, fear or any other type of intense feeling. All exclamatory sentences are identified by an exclamation mark mentioned at the end.

Take a look at the following examples:

1. She has lost her keys!
2. You were meant to be here on the best day of your life!

Subjunctive Mood

In Subjunctive moods, sentences are used for describing situations such as hypothetical, contrary to fact, or uncertain, unlike the declarative mood. These types of sentences are often used to express opinions, wishes, emotions, and non-realistic scenarios. The key objective of these sentences is that it is used to refer to events that may not have occurred yet or are most probably unlikely to occur in the future.

The subjunctive mood can further be categorised into two types:

1. Subordinating clause
2. That-clauses

Here are some example sentences to describe this mood in a much better way:

1. I wish I could but that necklace
2. She doubts that can solve this puzzle.

Conditional Mood

Finally, the conditional mood is used to express events or actions that are dependent on a certain condition or circumstances. The action in this sentence may or may not happen. The situations in these sentences are used to describe a hypothetical situation, possibility or conjecture.

Conditional moods can further be categorised into five types, these are:

1. Zero Conditional
2. First Conditional
3. Second Conditional
4. Third Conditional
5. Mixed Conditional

Here are some of the example sentences for you:

1. If you were me, you would have killed him. 
2. If you boil the egg, it gets back to being solid after a short period of time.

Also Read: What are Conditional Sentences in English Grammar?

Mood in English Grammar with Examples

In English grammar, mood refers to the form of a verb that conveys the speaker’s attitude toward the action or state of being. The three primary moods in English are indicative, imperative, and subjunctive. Below is a list of examples demonstrating these moods.

Indicative Mood (Statements & Questions)	Imperative Mood (Commands & Requests)	Subjunctive Mood (Hypothetical or Unreal Situations, Wishes, and Suggestions)
She loves reading books.	Close the door!	If I were you, I would apologise.
They are going to the market.	Be quiet.	I wish she were here.
The sun sets in the west.	Listen carefully.	If he had studied, he would have passed the exam.
He works at a bank.	Turn off the lights before leaving	It is important that she be on time.
We visited Paris last summer.	Don’t touch that!	I suggest that he speak to his manager.
You should drink more water.	Take your time.	If I were rich, I would travel the world.
The baby is sleeping in the crib.	Help me with this bag.	He acts as if he knew everything.
Does she like ice cream?Where do you live?	Stay calm in an emergency.	The doctor recommended that she take a break.
He has finished his homework.	Pass the salt, please.	I demand that he be more responsible.
The train arrives at 5 PM.	Keep your room clean.	If only she had listened to me!
I was born in April.	Tell me the truth.	I suggest that he arrive on time.
She doesn’t know the answer.	Wait for me at the station.	It is crucial that she be informed.
They will come to the party.	Leave me alone!	I wish I were taller.
Why is she so late?	Call me when you get home.	If I were you, I would apologise.
My brother plays football every Sunday.	Think before you speak.	The doctor recommended that he take the medicine.
We were watching TV when it started to rain.	Enjoy your meal!	She insisted that he tell the truth.
The flowers bloom in spring.	Read the instructions carefully.	It is important that everyone understand the rules.
It seems like a good idea.	Walk slowly on the wet floor.	I propose that we adjourn the meeting.
She had completed the project before the deadline.	Meet me at 5 PM.	May you have a wonderful day.

Also Read: Active and Passive Voice: Rules, Examples & Exercise

Check Your Understanding of Mood in English 

Once you have understood all about moods in English in-depth, it’s time to check your understanding with the help of these five exercises on moods. We have also provided answers to all the questions in the end.

Exercise 1: Identify the Mood

Instructions: Identify the mood of the underlined verbs in the following sentences.

1. Please close the window.
2. If I were you, I would apologise.
3. She is going to the concert tonight.
4. Do you like chocolate?
5. I wish he had more time to help us.

Answers:

1. Imperative 
2. Subjunctive
3. Indicative
4. Interrogative
5. Subjunctive

Exercise 2: Choose the Correct Mood

Instructions: Choose the correct mood for each sentence.

1. The teacher asked that we (keep/keep) quiet.
2. If it rains, we (will / would) stay indoors.
3. (Finish / Finishes) your homework before dinner!
4. Where (is/are) my keys?
5. I hope she (comes/come) to the party.

Answers:

1. Keep (Subjunctive)
2. Will (Indicative)
3. Finish (Imperative)
4. Is (Interrogative)
5. Comes (Indicative)

Exercise 3: Fill in the Blanks

Instructions: Fill in the blanks with the appropriate mood.

1. I suggest that he (study / studies) harder.
2. If she (was/were) here, she would help us.
3. Please (pass / passes) the salt.
4. What time (does/do) the meeting start?
5. I wish it (was/were) sunny today.

Answers:

1. Study (Subjunctive)
2. Were (Subjunctive)
3. Pass (Imperative)
4. Does (Interrogative)
5. Were (Subjunctive)

Exercise 4: Determine the Mood

Instructions: Determine the mood of each verb in the following sentences.

1. The sun sets in the west.
2. Please take your shoes off.
3. If I had known, I would have come earlier.
4. Where are you going?
5. It’s important that she be on time.

Answers:

1. Indicative
2. Imperative
3. Conditional
4. Interrogative
5. Subjunctive

Exercise 5: Rewrite the Sentences

Instructions: Rewrite the sentences using the correct mood where necessary:

1. He wants that she (to be) happy.
2. If I (to be) rich, I would travel the world.
3. Please (to finish) your work by noon.
4. Do you know where he (to go)?
5. I wish it (to not rain) tomorrow.

Answers:

1. He wants that she be happy.
2. If I were rich, I would travel the world.
3. Please finish your work by noon.
4. Do you know where he went?
5. I wish it would not rain tomorrow.

Explore related blogs on Learn English!

What are Modal Verbs? Definition, Examples, Exercises	Words Without Vowels to Expand Your Vocabulary List
What are Negative Sentences?	Negative Sentences Worksheet for Students
Demonstrative Pronoun Examples & Definition	8 Types of Prepositions with Examples & Exercises
Has Have Had Exercises and Usage (Free PDF)	Subject and Predicate Exercise with Answers

FAQs

We hope this blog on Mood in English Grammar was informative and helped you improve your English skills. You can also follow the Learn English page of Leverage Edu for more exciting and informative blogs related to English grammar and the English language.