32h Use mood effectively.

The mood of a verb indicates the attitude of the writer. The indicative mood states facts or opinions and asks questions: I did the right thing. The imperative mood gives commands and instructions: Do the right thing. The subjunctive mood (used primarily in dependent clauses beginning with that or if) expresses wishes and conditions that are contrary to fact: If I were doing the right thing, I’d know it.

Forming and using the subjunctive

The present subjunctive uses the base form of the verb with all subjects.

image It is important that children be psychologically ready for a new sibling.

The past subjunctive is the same as the simple past except for the verb be, which uses were for all subjects.

image He spent money as if he had infinite credit.

image If the store were better located, it would attract more customers.

Because the subjunctive creates a rather formal tone, many people today tend to substitute the indicative mood in informal conversation.

image If the store was better located, it would attract more customers.

For academic or professional writing, use the subjunctive in the following contexts:

CLAUSES EXPRESSING A WISH

image

THAT CLAUSES EXPRESSING A REQUEST OR DEMAND

image

IF CLAUSES EXPRESSING A CONDITION THAT DOES NOT EXIST

image

Using the Subjunctive

FOR MULTILINGUAL WRITERS

“If you were to practice writing every day, it would eventually seem much easier to you.” For a discussion of this and other uses of the subjunctive, see 57f.