You're So Moody

What does mood mean? –Signed, In the Mood to Learn Grammar

Dear IMLG,

In life, you can—you must—experience many moods. You know them: bad mood, sad mood, mean mood, goofy mood, party mood, chocolate mood, great mood. Fortunately, in speaking and writing, there are only three moods, which makes speaking and writing easier than life. In fact, you might be able to get through many years of good clean living using only one mood—the indicative mood. But there are times, when the subjunctive and imperative moods come in handy, too.

The Indicative Mood

The indicative mood simply means that you are stating, or indicating, a fact.

The sky is falling.

Times Square sure has lots of bright lights.

I like to go rock climbing.

The Subjunctive Mood

If you happen to be a dreamer or a discontented person, you might spend hours talking and writing in nothing but the subjunctive mood. In this case, you'd be saying things that were contrary to fact or you'd be wishing life were better.

If only I were rich. [You're not rich. ] (Notice, it's "were," not "was.")

If he were nicer, I'd go out with him. [He's not nice.]

The teacher acts as though he were one of the kids. [The teacher is not one of the kids.]

May you be wiser. (Or, I wish you were wiser.)

The Imperative Mood

If you're very bossy, you could spend part of every day stomping around and barking orders. In such a case you'd have to rely on the imperative mood.

Sit down!

Get a life!

Fasten your seatbelt!

Let's go!

Thank you for the question.