Understanding Indicative & Subjunctive Tenses

ElevatEd
English
April 11, 2025

Have you ever noticed the variation in the tone of a sentence when you utter something that is factual and when you utter something that is a wish or a hypothetical condition? That is the magic of grammatical mood, i.e., the indicative tense and the subjunctive mood. For parents and students from 1-12, familiarity with these terms will enhance writing as well as speaking.

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In this article, the variation between indicative and subjunctive tenses will be described, their usage will be demonstrated, and examples will be provided to learn in a fascinating and amusing way.

What is Grammatical Mood?

In English, the grammatical moods indicate the speaker's attitude to the action or state of affairs reflected in the verb. There are three moods in English:

Indicative Mood: Employed to declare facts or pose queries.
Subjunctive Mood: To indicate suggestions, hypotheticals, or wishes.
Imperative Mood: For requests or commands.

What is the Indicative Tense?

The indicative mood, or indicative tense, is used to state facts, opinions, or realities. It is the most common mood in English and may be used in any tense - past, present, or future.

Examples of Indicative Sentences

The sun rises in the east. (Present tense fact)
She completed her homework on time. (Past tense fact)
Will they attend the meeting tomorrow? (Future tense question)

Major Features of the Indicative Mood

Declares facts or opinions: I think this book is interesting.
Asks questions: Did you complete your project?
Refers to real events: They play soccer in the park.

What is the Subjunctive Mood?

Subjunctive mood is applied to state wishes, hypotheticals, necessities, or suggestions. In contrast to the indicative mood, which is concerned with reality, the subjunctive tends to represent things that are not real or guaranteed.

Examples of Subjunctive Sentences

If I were taller, I would play basketball more effectively. (Hypothetical scenario)
I suggest that he study more for the exam.
She wishes she were on vacation today. (Wish)

Most Salient Features of the Subjunctive Mood

Tends to use "were" rather than "was" for hypotheticals: If I were you.
Omits the "s" in third-person singular verbs: It is important that she be on time.
Often used in formal contexts such as recommendations: The instructor requested him to finish his homework.

Difference between Indicative and Subjunctive Mood

Aspect	Indicative Mood	Subjunctive Mood
Purpose	States facts or asks questions	Expresses wishes, hypotheticals, or suggestions
Tone	Realistic and factual	Hypothetical or uncertain
Examples	She rides to school every day.	If she were here, she would help us.
Verb Conjugation	Regular verb conjugation based on tense	Irregular forms like "were" for all subjects in hypotheticals

Using Preterite Regular Verbs in Indicative Sentences

Preterite regular verbs are commonly used in indicative sentences to denote completed past actions.

Examples

She walked to school yesterday. (walked = past form of walk)
They played soccer after class. (played = past tense of play)

In those cases, regular preterite verbs are formed according to general rules:

Add "-ed" to base verbs (e.g., walk → walked).
For verbs that end in "e," just add "-d" (e.g., love → loved).

Fun Fact: Did You Know?

The subjunctive mood is actually employed more in formal English than in casual conversation! For instance, sentences such as "God save the Queen" and "Long live the King" are formulaic subjunctive sentences.

How Can 98thPercentile's English Course Help Students?

At 98thPercentile, we know that notions such as indicative and subjunctive moods in grammar aren't always second nature. Our course deconstructs these nuances in an interactive way that's appropriate for students in grades 1-12.

Why Choose 98thPercentile?

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Individualised feedback to respond to individual issues.
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Conclusion

Knowledge of indicative and subjunctive tenses gives a greater appreciation of the way meaning is expressed through language - to state facts or to entertain possibilities with hypotheticals and wishes. Students can enhance their writing skills and communication abilities by understanding these concepts.

For parents seeking innovative means to support their child's language learning, try to get them enrolled in 98thPercentile's English courses - where grammar is made enjoyable through fun lessons! Let us join hands in making your child English masters with confidence!

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FAQs

Q1: What is an indicative tense?

Ans: The indicative mood is employed in order to indicate facts or to ask questions concerning actual events.

Q2: How is the subjunctive distinct from the indicative?

Ans: While the indicative expresses facts or reality, the subjunctive expresses wishes, hypotheticals, or suggestions.

Q3: Are preterite regular verbs applicable in both moods?

Ans: In fact! Preterite regular verbs can be used to describe past actions in indicative sentences (She walked home yesterday), but they can appear in hypothetical subjunctive contexts (If she walked faster, she would arrive on time).

Q4: Are the subjunctive sentences used in common speech?

Ans: Subjunctive sentences do not appear very frequently in unscripted speech but are usual in formal settings like recommendations or hypothetical scenarios.

Q5: How can the students practice using these moods?

Ans: They can practice by building sentences in the two moods and checking whether they are stating facts (indicative) or expressing wishes/hypotheticals (subjunctive).