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Mood
Mood is the form of the verb which shows in what relation to reality the speaker places the action or state expressed by the predicate verb.
Thus the category of mood expresses modality.
Modality is the relation of the action or state expressed by the predicate to reality as it is regarded by the speaker.
There are the following moods in English: the direct moods- the indicative and the imperative; the oblique moods- subjunctive one, subjunctive two, the suppositional and the conditional.
The Indicative Mood
The indicative mood shows that the speaker considers the action or state denoted by the predicate as an actual fact and affirms or negates its existence in the present, past or future.
Ex.: I shall act and I shall act promptly. (Maugham)
The Imperative Mood
In the imperative mood the speaker urges the person addressed to fulfil an action. This may be expressed in the form of a command, a request, a warning, etc.
The imperative mood has only one simple form for the second person singular and plural, and is the plain present tense stem or common stem of the verb.
Ex.: “Go and fetch him.”(Maugham)
In the 1st and 3rd person the combination let+ infinitive, an equivalent of the imperative, is used.
Ex.: “Let me go in and see him alone” (Maugham)
The subject of an imperative is seldom expressed unless it is emphatic. In OE the pronoun-subject was generally placed after the verb.
Ex.: “Mind you, this is your last chance.”(Galsworthy)
In ME it is placed before the verb in the usual place of the subject.
Ex.: “You keep this copy. I don’t want it.”( Gordon)
The negative imperative is formed by means of the auxiliary to do even if we have the verb to be which in the indicative mood does not require that auxiliary.
Ex.: “Don’t cut yourself.” (Aldridge)
The emphatic imperative is formed by means of the auxiliary to do even if we have the verb to be which in the indicative mood does not require that auxiliary.
Ex.: “Do sit down.”(Galsworthy)
‘Will you?’ very often follows the imperative. In such imperative sentences the order becomes modified by the addition of ‘will you?’ into a kind of request.
Ex.: “Turn to the right here, will you?”(Braine)
The Oblique Moods
The function of the oblique moods is to represent something in the speaker’s mind not as a real fact, but as a wish, purpose, supposition, doubt or condition, problematic or contrary to fact. When the speaker expresses his wish by using one of the oblique moods, he merely communicates to the hearer what he considers desirable.
Ex.: I wish you were quiet. –Here I merely inform the hearer of what I consider desirable, indicating at the same time that my wish contradicts the actual state of things.
There are four oblique moods in ME, of which two are synthetical and two analytical.
The synthetical moods are: subjunctive one and subjunctive two.
The analytical moods are: the conditional and the suppositional.
The Synthetical Moods
Subjunctive one and subjunctive two
Historically the forms (he be- he were, he have- he had), were tense forms of one mood- the old subjunctive. But in the course of time their meaning has changed, they no longer indicate distinction of time but express modality.
The form (he be) is used with reference to any time indicating supposition or uncertainty.
Ex.: It is strange that he be late.
The form (he were) is often used with regard to the present indicating unreality.
Ex.: If I were at home, he would see her.
Taking into consideration this historical change of meaning we consider it advisable to regard these two forms as two distinct moods.
subjunctive one and subjunctive two do not only express different modality but also differ in style.
subjunctive one is rather obsolete form in ME; it may be found in poetry, high prose and official documents(treaties, resolutions).
Ex. : Be his banner unconquered, resistless his spear. (Scott)
But in the USA subjunctive one is still in use.
Ex.: Ruth had urged that he take a clerk’s position in an office. (London)
Subjunctive two is a living form which is used in colloquial speech and literary style as well.
Ex.: “If I were you,” she said, “I should not worry.” (Harraden)
Subjunctive one
Subjunctive one represents an action as problematic, but not as contradicting reality. It is used to express order, request, suggestion, supposition, purpose.
Ex.: If the weather be fine to-morrow, we shall go to the country.
Subjunctive one has also optative meaning
Ex.: Success attend you!(Sheridan)
Subjunctive one has no tenses, the same form being used for the present, past and future.
Ex.: He orders (ordered) that we be present.
|
To be |
To have |
To speak |
|
I be He be We be You be They be |
I have He have We have You have They have |
I speak He speak We speak You speak They speak |
In ME subjunctive one is rapidly falling into disuse.
The colloquial subjunctive one is usually replaced either by the suppositional mood or by free combinations of modal verbs with the infinitive.
Ex.: He ordered that we should be present. (the suppositional mood)
Subjunctive two
Subjunctive two represents an action as contrary to reality.
Ex.: I wish he were with us.
Subjunctive two has two tenses : the present and the past. The forms of the present
Subjunctive two do not differ from the forms of the past indicative. The only exception is the verb to be in which some forms of the present subjunctive differ from the forms of the past indicative.
The past subjunctive two is homonymous with the past perfect indicative in all verbs.
(to be)
|
Present |
Past |
|
I were (was) He were (was) We were You were They wee |
I had been He had been We had been You had been They had been |
The Common Aspect
(to speak)
|
Present |
Past |
|
I spoke He spoke We spoke You spoke They spoke |
I had spoken He had spoken We had spoken You had spoken They had spoken |
The Continuous Aspect
(to speak)
|
Present |
Past |
|
I were speaking He were speaking We were speaking You were speaking They were speaking |
I had been speaking He had been speaking We had been speaking You had been speaking They had been speaking |
The Analytical Moods
The Suppositional Mood
The suppositional mood represents an action as problematic, but not necessarily contradicting reality. The realization of the action may depend on certain circumstances, but these circumstances are not contrary to fact.
Ex.: Should you meet him to-morrow, tell him to come. (The possibility of your meeting him is not excluded. I am only not quite certain about it.)
The suppositional mood is used to express necessity, order, suggestion, supposition
The suppositional mood is an analytical mood, it is formed by combining the auxiliary verb should (for all persons) with the infinitive. It has two tenses: the present and the past.
The Common Aspect
(to speak)
|
Present |
Past |
|
I should speak He should speak We should speak You should speak They should speak |
I should have spoken He should have spoken We should have spoken You should have spoken They should have spoken |
The Continuous Aspect
(to speak)
|
Present |
Past |
|
I should be speaking He should be speaking We should be speaking You should be speaking They should be speaking |
I should have been speaking He should have been speaking We should have been speaking You should have been speaking They should have been speaking |
The Conditional Mood
The unreality of an action represented by the conditional mood is due to the absence of the necessary circumstances on which the realization of the action depends.
The conditional mood is mainly used in the principal clause of a complex sentence with a subordinate clause of unreal condition, where the verb is in subjunctive two
If he were here he would help us.
The difference between subjunctive two and the conditional is as follows: The unreality of an action expressed by the conditional mood is a dependent unreality: the realization of the action depends on the condition expressed in the subordinate clause, and as subordinate clause represents an unreal condition , the action of the principal clause is also thought of as contradicting reality. Whereas the unreality of an action expressed by subjunctive two is not a dependent unreality, the speaker freely, of his own accord, imagines a state of things which actually does not exist.
The Conditional Mood
The Common Aspect
(to speak)
|
Present |
Past |
|
I should speak He would speak We should speak You would speak They would speak |
I should have spoken He would have spoken We should have spoken You would have spoken They would have spoken |
The Continuous Aspect
(to speak)
|
Present |
Past |
|
I should be speaking He would be speaking We should be speaking You would be speaking They would be speaking |
I should have been speaking He would have been speaking We should have been speaking You would have been speaking They would have been speaking |
Ex.: Unless I had heard the story from his lips I should never have believed that he was capable of such an action. (Maugham)
The Use of the Oblique Moods
Simple Sentences
In Simple sentences the following oblique moods are used:
1. To express wish:
a) Subjunctive one is employed in a few set expressions as a survival of the old use.
Success attend you.
Be ours a happy meeting.
* Subjunctive one may be replaced by a modal phrase. (may+ infinitive)
May you be happy in the life you have chosen. (Dickens)
b) Subjunctive two is used in sentences beginning with Oh, that…(literary style)
Oh, that the storm were over.
2. In sentences expressing concession we find subjunctive one(set expressions)
“So be it!” returned Steerforth. “This evening.”(Dickens)
* Subjunctive one may be replaced by a modal phrase. (let+ infinitive)
Let it be so!
3. To express commands or requests subjunctive one is used only when the subject is an indefinite pronoun.
Somebody go and fetch me a piece of chalk.
* Subjunctive one may be replaced by a modal phrase. (may+ infinitive)
4. The conditional mood is used in sentences with implied condition.
I should like to speak to you(if I got a chance).
The use of subjunctive two in such sentences is now only a literary survival of an old construction.
It were a shame to let this land by lease. (Shakespeare)
5. We find subjunctive two also in the following phraseological expressions: had better, had best, had rather, would sooner, would rather, would have.
You had better go there
He had better wait here.
She would rather stay here.
I had much rather not do it
3. wish.
If only it were summer now!
If only I knew about it.
*4. -You have to go and see her.
-Why should I? (The emotional use of the suppositional mood)
-Where is he?
-How should I know? (How is used with the verb to know, with other verbs ‘why’ is employed)
Complex Sentences
1. In subject clauses introduced by the anticipatory it we find the suppositional mood or subjunctive one.
It is strange that he should say such a thing.
It is natural that he should be upset.
The suppositional mood is used in such subject clauses:
It is funny that…
It is odd that…
It is terrible that..
It is incredible…
It is surprising that…
It is disappointing…
It expresses your emotional attitude to the statement. Some grammarians call it emotional supposition.
It is odd that he should have fallen off here.
b) It is necessary that he should do it.
It is strange…
It is obligatory…
It is requested….
It is suggested…
It is ordered…
In such sentences the suppositional Mood is used.
Subjunctive one is found in the sentences of the kind in newspapers, documents.
It was arranged that the article be published.
It is possible
It is probable
It is likely
In such affirmative sentences the modal verb may is used.
Ex.: It is possible that he may have taken the book.
In negative and interrogative sentences the Suppositional Mood is used.
It is impossible that he should have taken the book from the library.
If ‘is it possible’ expresses surprise at something having happened, the indicative mood is used.
Ex.: Is it possible that she has gone home!
After the expressions it is high time…., subjunctive two or the suppositional is used.
It is about time we went there.
It is high time you made up your mind.
It is about time you should go there.
2. In object clauses :
a) After expression of order, recommendation or suggestion we find the suppositional or subjunctive one.
Do you suggest that we should go there! (an object clause)
The girl insisted that she should make it up with her. (The suppositional mood, only present)
A resolution was passed that all should take (take) part in the work of the conference.
b). After expressions of wish we find subjunctive two:
Ex.: I wish you were here.
Ex.: I wish you were not married. (the speaker regrets it)
Ex.: (Have you any idea what to do?)
Ex.: I wish I had some idea.
Ex.: I wish I knew French.
Ex.: I wish I had said it. (Subjunctive two past expresses priority)
2. I wish he would do it. (The fulfillment of the action depends on the will of the person represented by the subjunctive of the subordinate clause).
3. I wish I could do it. (for the past)
He wishes he might get the book. (for the past)
I wish you may buy the book.(for the present)
The fulfillment of the action depends on circumstances, realization is very unlikely.
I wish you might have read this book. This use of the modal verb ‘might’ and the perfect infinitive shows that the action was not realized in the past.
c) After expressions of fear the suppositional mood is used if the object clause is introduced by the conjunction lest.
Ex.: She feared lest something should happen to him.
Ex.: I am afraid lest they should come late.
Ex.: I am afraid that they would be late.
Ex.: She is worried lest they should know the poem.
Ex.: I am astonished that she should have done it.
2. The Indicative Mood is used after expressions of fear such as:
To be afraid
To be terrified
To be fearful
To be frightened
To be nervous
To be troubled
To be in terror
To fear, to tremble, to have apprehension and some others
in object clauses, introduced by conjunction that or joined asyndetically. The rules of Sequence of tenses are observed.
Ex.: She fears that she will be blamed.
Ex.: I am afraid nothing has happened.
Ex.: She was afraid he might miss his only chance.
3.In adverbial clauses of purpose introduced by the conjunction lest we find the suppositional mood.
Ex.: She was afraid to speak to him lest he should lose his temper.
‘Lest’ is no longer in use in spoken English.
Ex.: I sent her a letter so that it should remind her of her promise or
Ex.: I sent her a letter so as to remind her of her promise.
Ex.: I wrote it not to forget it.
Ex.: I wrote it down so that she should remember it better.
Ex.: He removed the electric bulb so that the light should be dim.
Ex.: I dictated the rule so that they could take it down.
Ex.: Earnest got up early during the holidays so that he might play the piano after breakfast.
4. In adverbial clauses of comparison and manner we find subjunctive two.
Ex.: She talks as if she were a doctor.
Ex.: I saw her yesterday and she looked as if she knew about it.
Ex.: She spoke to her as if he knew her well.
Ex.: I feel as if I had known you all my life. (contrary to reality, priority)
There is no stylistic difference between ‘As if, as though’
Ex.: When I meet her tomorrow she will speak to me as if she had never quarreled with me.
The Indicative Mood is very often used to express real fact, real comparison.
Ex.: You feel as if you are not hunting but being hunted.
Ex.: You look as if you have spoken to her.
Ex.: I feel as if I had been jumped on by an elephant.
(the predicative clauses are used after to look, to feel, to sound.)
5. In adverbial clauses of concession introduced by though, although, however, whatever, whichever, even if, even though the following moods are used:
a) Subjunctive two is used after the conjunctions even if, even though or the suppositional with the reference to the future in the principal clause.
Ex.: Even if I hadn’t seen this picture, I should have known you anywhere as an artist.
Ex.: Even though he were present, he would not help me!
Ex.: Though he should make every effort, he cannot succeed.
b) Subjunctive one or the suppositional mood is used after though, whatever, whoever.
Ex.: Whatever he should say, we must not listen to him.
Ex.: Whoever you be, you have no right to do such a thing.
The suppositional mood with reference to the future represents an action as imaginable and is mostly used in adverbial clauses of concession introduced by though, although.
May(might) +inf. is used when the concession is uncertain and refers to the present or future.
Ex.: However tired he may(might) be he will go there.
Ex.: No matter how tired he may (might) be, he will go to the concert.
Ex.: Whatever the reason may be the fact remains.
(No suppositional mood is used with reference to the present or future.)
When concession is not regarded as contrary to fact or problematic –the Indicative Mood is used.
Ex.: But even if he has been wicked… think how young he is. (Dickens)
Complex Sentences with Subordinate Clauses of Condition
Pattern 1
If I were you, I should not do it. (the action is contrary to fact).
Pattern 2
We should have given you that book if you had asked for it.
Pattern 3
If I had gone through the rules, now I should know what to say.
If she were clever, she would not have made this mistake.
Pattern 4
Pattern 5
If I should meet him tomorrow, I shall (should) tell him about it.
Should he come, tell him about it.
It may happen or not, the improbability of the action referred to the future.
If he comes…
The suppositional Mood represents an action as problematic, but not necessarily contradicting reality.
Should it be wet, I shall stay at home.