Mood for Grammar

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A mood shows the writer’s attitude toward what he/she is saying.

Indicative Mood states an actuality or fact.

We will go to see a movie this Sunday.
I’ll follow you.

Imperative Mood makes a request.

Let’s go to see a movie this weekend!
Please stop bugging me!

Subjunctive Mood expresses a doubtful condition (contrary to fact) and is often used with an "if" clause.

If I were you, I wouldn’t buy a house.
I wish I were more organized.

The following verbs often attract the subjunctive mood: ask, recommend, suggest, wish, insist, order, commend, request, and demand. A verb in the subjunctive mood may have a different form. The subjunctive for the present tense third-person singular drops the s or es so that it looks and sounds like the present tense for everything else. In the subjunctive mood, the verb to be is be in the present tense and were in the past tense, regardless of what the subject is.

Incorrect: If I was you, I would take any offer.
Correct: If I were you, I would take any offer.
(The verb follows ‘if’ and expresses a non-factual condition.)

Incorrect: I wish I was able to speak English fluently.
Correct: I wish I were able to speak English fluently.

(The second verb is in a clause following a verb expressing a wish. It suggests a non-factual or doubtful condition.)

Incorrect: Our suggestion is that everyone on the team does the survey.
Correct: Our suggestion is that everyone on the team do the survey.

Incorrect: She recommended that each student takes a note.
Correct: She recommended that each student take a note.

[Quiz 18.1]

Write the correct form of the verb given.

1) I insist that Jennifer (finish) her meal.
2) She suggests that the office (be) closed today.
3) If I (be) you, I would win the game.
4) I wish I (can) fly.

[Quiz 18.2]

Choose the correct sentence from the following.

1) I wish I was able to buy this car.
2) It were recommended that the company closes its foreign offices.
3) If Jack were 17 years old, he would apply for the university.
4) Our manager insists that the group is reorganized.

Auxiliary Verbs "Be," "Do," "Have"

An auxiliary verb helps the main (full) verb and is also called a "helping verb." With auxiliary verbs, you can write sentences in different tenses, moods, or voices. Auxiliary verbs are: be, do, have, will, shall, would, should, can, could, may, might, must, ought, etc.

I think I should study harder to master English.
I am having a cup of coffee.
You have been practicing hard.
It was written by a petitioner.
You may choose what you like.

The verb forms of be, do, and have can be used either as a main (full) verb or an auxiliary verb. The following examples show these verbs used as auxiliary verbs.

1. "Be" as an auxiliary verb

a. Used in progressive sentences:

I am taking a bath.
She is preparing dinner for us.
They have been studying all night.

b. Used in passive sentences:

I was given a free meal.
He was seen by fans at the airport.
This song has been sung by all nations.

2. "Do" as an auxiliary verb

a. Used in negative sentences:

I do not know the truth.
She doesn’t agree with me.
They didn’t arrive here yet.

b. Used in questions:

Do you want to have another one?
Did he finish his homework?
Do we need to keep going straight?

3. "Have" as an auxiliary verb

a. Used in perfect sentences:

I have been following you for a mile.
We have done a lot so far.
She had been queen of the town.

[Quiz 19.1]

Identify all auxiliary verbs in the following paragraph.

I have just heard that you didn’t attend the meeting yesterday. Did you have a conflict with that time? I must ask that you explain the reason.

[Quiz 19.2]

Which of the following sentences does not show any auxiliary verbs?

1) I didn’t have any reason to go there.
2) Have we practiced this song enough?
3) Three seats have been reserved for us.
4) I am a professor in the economics department.

Auxiliary Verbs "Will/Would" and "Shall/Should"

The verbs will, would, shall, should, can, could, may, might, and must cannot be the main (full) verbs alone. They are used as auxiliary verbs only and always need a main verb to follow.

Will

Used to express desire, preference, choice, or consent: