Mood

Mood is a way of classifying verbs according to whether the writer intends the verb to express fact, command, or hypothesis. The word mood as a grammatical term is an alteration of the word mode and is unrelated to mood as an emotional state.

Indicative mood expresses statements of fact and questions, imperative mood expresses requests or commands, and subjunctive mood expresses hypothetical information.

Indicative mood

Indicative mood expresses information such as facts, questions, assertions, or explanations. Declarative sentences and interrogative sentences use indicative verbs.

In technical writing, indicative mood should predominate, except in procedures. The following are examples of sentences in the indicative mood:

  • Style sheets are powerful tools for formatting complex documents.

  • What are the common characteristics of all interactors, including both text windows and scroll bars? They all have a size and relative position.

Imperative mood

Imperative mood expresses requests or commands and is used in procedures and other direct instructions. The subject you is implied. Imperative mood is always in the present tense. The following are examples of sentences in the imperative mood:

  • Type a file name, and then click OK.

  • Insert the CD in the CD ROM drive.

International considerations

Do not use imperative mood in marketing tag lines that will be localized unless you have no other choice. In many languages, the imperative mood may sound more dictatorial than intended in English.

Subjunctive mood

Subjunctive mood expresses wishes, hypotheses, and conditions contrary to fact. The most common use of subjunctive mood today is in subordinate clauses following a main clause that carry a sense of insisting or recommending. The following is an example of a sentence in the subjunctive mood:

We recommend that you be careful about opening email attachments.

Like passive voice, subjunctive mood is not a grammatical error, but it has the greatest impact when you use it sparingly and carefully.

Microsoft style (indicative mood)

You should complete this procedure before taking any other action.

Not Microsoft style (unnecessary subjunctive mood)

It is important that you complete this procedure before taking any other action.

Do not shift between moods.

Microsoft style (consistent mood)

Select the text, and then click Bold.

Type a file name, and then click OK.

Not Microsoft style (switches mood in mid-sentence)

Select the text, and then you can click Bold.

The first step is to type a file name, and then click OK.

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