subjunctive mood

Examples of subjunctive mood in the following topics:

• Verb Mood: Indicative, Subjunctive, and Imperative

  • In English, there are many grammatical moods, but by far the most common are the indicative, the imperative, the subjunctive, and the conditional.
  • The subjunctive mood is not commonly used in English.
  • Usually, the subjunctive mood is used in a dependent clause.
  • [Main clause "I wish" is factual and in indicative mood; dependent clause "Paul would eat" is hypothetical and in subjunctive mood.]
  • [Main clause "I suggest" is factual and in indicative mood; dependent clause "we wait until" is hypothetical and in subjunctive mood.]

• Introduction to Verbs: Tense, Aspect, and Mood

  • All verbs have tense, aspect, and mood, of which there is a wide variety of combinations.
  • Verb mood is to the "attitude" of the verb.
  • Mood can be expressed in any verb tense. 
  • The three main moods used in English are indicative, subjunctive, imperative.
  • The subjunctive mood is for hypothetical situations, emotions, or making requests.

• The Passive Voice

  • The passive voice occurs in both indicative and subjunctive but uses the same endings in each.

• Precision

  • Thus, as a writer, choosing specific words over general words can add description to and change the mood of your writing.