Indicative, Imperative, Subjunctive and Infinitive Verb Moods 

In English, verb tenses show when something happens (the past, present, or future). But verb moods show the attitude or intention behind what’s being said. They reflect how the speaker feels about the action. 

Indicative, imperative, subjunctive and infinitive are the four moods of English verbs. All manners and moods are expressed through these four verbs. 

Indicative Mood 

We use the indicative mood for statements of fact, denials, and questions. It’s the most common verb mood in English! 

• Assertion: Heathrow is the world’s busiest airport. 
• Denial: Oliver cannot speak English. 
• Question: Do you work in the city? 

This mood simply describes what is, isn’t, or might be true. 

Imperative Mood 

We use the imperative mood to express requests, commands and advice: 

• Request: Please don’t talk during the lesson. 
• Advice: Look out! 
• Command: Shut that door. 

This is the mood we use when we want someone to do something. 

Subjunctive Mood 

We use the subjunctive mood to express imaginary (unreal) situations, possibility and wishes. 

• Unreal condition: If I were rich, I would buy a sports car. 
• Possibility: We might find her ring if we were to look harder. 
• Wish: I wish it would stop raining. 

Note: In the subjunctive, we use were instead of was, even with “I” or “he/she/it” when the situation isn’t real. 

Infinitive Mood 

The infinitive form of a verb (to + base form) isn’t tied to any subject or tense. Instead, it acts more like a noun, adjective, or adverb in a sentence; it expresses a general state or action. 

• I may go to the beach later. 
• They came to speak to me. 
• It’s important to eat well. 

Infinitive verbs express ideas or intentions, not actions anchored in time.