Statements, questions, orders, and suggestions

4.2 Sentences can be used to do many different things.

The most common use is to give information.

I went to Glasgow University.

Carol was one of my sister's best friends.

Sometimes you use a sentence to obtain information, rather than to give it.

Where is my father?

What did you say to Myra?

How long have you been out of this country?

At other times you want to express an opinion, give an order, make a suggestion, or make a promise.

That's an excellent idea.

Go away, all of you.

Shall we listen to the news?

If you have any questions, I'll do my best to answer them.

When someone says or writes a sentence, they need to indicate what they are trying to do with it, so that it will be clear, for example, that they are asking a question and not making a statement.

mood 4.3 Often it is order of words which indicates which way a sentence is being used. For example, if you say 'He is Norwegian', the word order makes it clear that you are making a statement. If you say 'Is he Norwegian?', the word order indicates that you are asking a question.

Another way of indicating which way a sentence is being used is to begin it with a verb, rather than with the subject. For example, if you say 'Give this book to Michael', it is clear that you are giving an order or instruction, rather than making a statement or asking a question.

These ways of distinguishing between uses of language are examples of mood. The main clause of every sentence is in a particular mood.

4.4 There are three main moods in English. They are the declarative mood, the interrogative mood, and the imperative mood.

The declarative mood is the mood used in most main clauses. Statements are almost always made using the declarative mood. When a clause is in this mood, the subject is placed in front of the verb.

The declarative mood is sometimes called the indicative mood.

I want to talk to Mr Castle.

Gertrude looked at Anne.

We'll give you fifteen pounds now.

The interrogative mood is the mood usually used in questions. In clauses in this mood, the subject is often placed after the main verb or after an auxiliary verb.

Is she very upset?

Where is my father?

Have you met Halliday?

Did you give him my letter?

The imperative mood is the mood used to tell someone to do something. In clauses in the imperative mood, the subject is usually omitted and the base form of the verb is used.

Give him a good book.

Show me the complete manuscript.

There is a fourth mood called the subjunctive mood. This is a feature of English verbs which sometimes occurs in subordinate clauses. The subjunctive mood is not used to distinguish between different uses of language, and is therefore not dealt with in this chapter. Clauses in which the subjunctive mood occurs are explained in paragraphs 7.40, 8.41. and 8.46.

4.5 The ways in which mood is used are explained in the following paragraphs.

Paragraphs 4.6 to 4.9 explain how the declarative mood is used to make statements. Paragraphs 4.10 to 4.30 explain how the interrogative mood is used to ask questions. Paragraphs 4.31 to 4.35 explain how the imperative mood is used to tell someone to do something. Other uses of the declarative, interrogative, and imperative moods are explained in paragraphs 4.36 to 4.42.