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Mood in English grammar is the manner or approach with which the sentence is presented.

There are basically three kinds of Mood which we are discussing in this genre:

1. Indicative Mood – This is used to state facts.

2. Imperative Mood - This is used to issue command, orders and instructions.

3. Subjunctive Mood - This is used to state things that are not facts: wishes, possibilities, doubts, suggestions and conditions.

Imperative Mood, in specific is a grammatical structure that forms a command or a request.

For Example:

·         Keep Quiet.

·         You can keep the change

(Keep being a verb here, the 1^st sentence is an example of Imperative Mood. The second being Indicative. Note, the difference in tenor of both the sentences. The word ‘you‘is implicitly understood in the 1^st sentence though it is not always explicitly stated.)

Characteristics:

·         Imperative Mood can either be a command or a polite request.

·         It can be a Command, an advice or suggestion.

·         The Imperative sentences does not usually contain a subject as it is understood to be ‘you’. The word ‘you‘may sometimes be mentioned, sometimes left out.

·         A euphemistic manner of toning down an Imperative sentence is by adding the usage of the word ‘Please’.

·         It is one of the irrealis moods.

·         It is used for the purpose of ordering someone or asking someone to do something or to offer advice or to extend encouragement or to render instructions or to make suggestions.

Examples:

·         Please maintain silence. (Command)

·         Get out! (Command)

·         Take the dog out!(Order)

·         Come here, immediately! (Command)

·         Please take out the garbage. (Instruction)

·         Please, pay attention. (Instruction)

·         Pass the soup, please! (Request)

·         Run for your life! (Order)

·         Shout when you see the red flag! (Order)

Imperative sentences are of two types:

1.       Affirmative / Positive sentences

They are formed with the infinitive of the Verb without using the word ‘to’.

Examples:

·         Take the next right turn.

·         Switch off the gas!

2.       Negative Imperatives

They are formed with the infinitive of the verb together with do + not.

Examples:

·         Do not make noise.

·         Don’t drive fast.

Points to Consider:

1.       The Imperative form is understood as being in the 2^nd person, though the pronoun ‘you’ may or may not be present, although at times , it may be included for emphatic reasons with no clarity provided for singular or plural indicators.

Example:

Leave the class !

2.       1^st and 3^rd person imperatives are expressed periphrastically using the construction “Let’s” (Let us).

Examples:

·         Let’s have a drink! (1^st person plural imperative)

·         Let him/ her/ them rejoice. ( 3^rd person imperative)

English Grammar and Composition

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