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The word "mood" has two different meanings for English students. Mood can be a term used in literary criticism or creative writing. It is also a special verb category of grammar.
Literary Significance
In "Word Painting," Rebecca McClanahan explains, "Adjectives like gloomy, forlorn, cheerful, inviting, sensual, or foreboding may be useful handles to help us focus our descriptions around a central mood."
Grammar Concept
In grammar, verb moods are used to express the intention of the writer or speaker. The three verb moods are indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods.
Indicative Mood
The most commonly used mood is the indicative mood. It is used to ask simple questions or make simple statements. Using indicative verbs "walk" and "need," you might say, "The man walked down the street. Did he need an umbrella?"
Imperative Mood
Verbs in the imperative mood are usually simple verbs, demanding, requesting, or explaining a procedure. Hurry is an imperative verb, as in, "Hurry up!" Go is imperative, as in, "Go right." Get is imperative, as in, "Please get the mail."
Subjunctive Mood
The subjunctive mood is not so obvious. "Essentials of English," written by Hopper, Gale, and Foote, describes subjunctive verb forms. "The present and past tense forms of the verb are sometimes used to express matters which are not present or past in the usual way." Such a turn of phrase would be, "If you were to find out, it might mean disaster."
Source:
; p "Word Painting;" Rebecca McClanahan; 1999218
Resource:
Ohio University
Capital Community College Foundation
The Owl at Purdue
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