The problem of the category of mood in modern english

The problem of the category of mood in modern english

Mood is the grammatical category of the verb reflecting the relation of the action denoted by the verb to reality from the speaker's point of view.

Mood is the grammatical category of the verb reflecting the relation of the action denoted by the verb to reality from the speaker's point of view.

There is no unity of opinion concerning the category of mood in English.

There is no unity of opinion concerning the category of mood in English.

In general the number of English moods in different theories varies from two to seventeen.

In my project the indicative, imperative and subjunctive moods are considered.

The Indicative Mood

The indicative mood is the basic mood of the verb. Morphologically it is the most developed system including all the categories of the verb.

Semantically it is a fact mood. It serves to present an action as a fact of reality. It is the «most objective» or the «least subjective» of all the moods. It conveys minimum personal attitude to the fact.

Example:

Water consists of oxygen and hydrogen.

An actual fact is denoted, and the speaker's attitude is neutral.

The Subjunctive Mood

The subjunctive mood represents an action as a 'non-fact', as something imaginary, desirable, problematic, contrary to reality.

We use subjunctives mainly when talking about events that are not certain to happen. For example, we use the subjunctive when talking about events that somebody:

We use subjunctives mainly when talking about events that are not certain to happen. For example, we use the subjunctive when talking about events that somebody:

• wants to happen
• anticipates will happen
• imagines happening

Kinds of Subjunctive:

• Present Subjunctive
• Past Subjuctive
• Future Subjunctive

Present Subjunctive

Use:

To express expectation, supposition and a statement about something that does not fit with reality in the present.

Example:

I wish (that) he called me now

Reality:

He doesn’t call me now

Past Subjunctive

Use:

To express expectation, supposition and a statement about something that does not fit with reality in the past.

Example:

I wished he hadn’t gone yesterday

Reality:

He went yesterday

Future Subjunctive

Use:

To express expectancy about event / situation that may occur / could not have happened in the future

Example:

X: “Will you visit me tonight?”

Y: “ No, I won’t” (reality)

X: “ I wish you would visit me tonight” (subjunctive)

The Imperative Mood

The imperative mood represents an action as a command, urging, request, exhortation addressed to one's interlocutor.It is a direct expression of one's will. Therefore it is much more 'subjective' than the indicative mood. Its modal meaning is very strong and distinct.

The imperative mood is morphologically the least developed of all moods.