ENGLISH-25
MOOD
In my understanding, the language
is the medium of conveying an opinion; every opinion has a mood within as its
basic component. If so, where does the mood reside in a statement? Undoubtedly,
it is the VERB that indicates the mood. If the term ‘mood’ looks impoverished,
one may take it as referring to “emotion”. It just follows that emotion is a
product of mood and at times vice-versa. Having said that how does one go about
‘making use’ of the tool [verb] in statements to precisely express an idea.
Quite a few options occur for presenting
the opinion.
Write a letter is a statement that
can be employed to signify specific mood as in
Write a letter [Instruction] 2 Do write a letter [request or appeal] 3 I
say “write a letter” [an order or
command]
Other different emotions can also
be brought out: As in ‘Indicative’
situation 1 The kid is active [healthy]
2 The boy is shouting [angry] 3 We learn science [progress]
Indicative mood may also suggest
‘assumption’ or ‘supposition’
If it rains I shall stay back.
[rain is assumed ] If he is a culprit, he ought to be punished [someone is
doubted and punishment is demanded]
Imperative mood
Imperatives cannot be disobeyed nor
ignored as in ‘Stay here, till I come’
Read the second paragraph on page
12. Such imperatives can be used only in
second person as the person involved should be in the place.For first or third
persons imperative mood may need an auxiliary verb like ‘let’ as in let me
wait, let us wait further or let us go and so on.
Subjunctive mood
Practically terms suggesting
Subjunctive moods have nearly disappeared in the present day style of English.
earlier expressions I be, you be,
we be, They be ,He be were used to relate to the past tense like I was, You
were, They were, He was, She was in the past tense Emphasis was expressed as I
were, as in If I were you, I would have dismissed him from his post.
However, in the current pattern subjunctive
moods are more related to some wish or prayer like wish as in
God save us. God bless you are
somewhat prayerful appeal to the Supreme.
Thus, verbs have been used in
appropriate patterns to signify the mood of the statement.
Prof. K. .Raman
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