Consult a dictionary for confusing verbs.
Remember:
| The mood of a verb expresses the attitude of the writer. | |
| Indicative Mood reflects simple statements or questions. | |
| Subjunctive Mood conveys a wish, a desire, or a demand in the first or third person, or it makes a statement to the contrary. | |
| Imperative Mood makes a command or order with an understood subject "you" and the second-person for of the verb. |
Focus on the verbs in red highlighting.
1. If she was awake, she must have heard the noise. Subjunctive
2. Soldiers in their last year of service count the days until their release. Indicative
3. He said that Japan has one of the lowest crime rates in the world. Indicative
4. If Brian Wilson were still writing surfing songs, the Beach Boys might not be numbered among rock and roll's great singing groups. Subjunctive
5. Had you been here, we might not have quarreled. Subjunctive
6. Don't burn the toast. Imperative
7. If horses were smarter, they would never put up with bridles and saddles. Subjunctive
*8. You better not go in. Indicative
9. She demanded that he eat the whole banana. Subjunctive
10. If I had helped him study, he might have passed the test. Subjunctive
* This sentence is an informal expression. A preferred expression would be: "You had better not go in." or "You must not go in." The more standard sentence is in the indicative mood. See the MSN dictionary explanation below.
6. adverb
ought to or must do something: indicates
that it would be more advantageous for somebody to act in a particular way (nonstandard)
You better
listen to me!
Return to the English 24 website.