Verb moods indicate a state of being or reality. They show the manner in which the action/condition is intended.

Indicative – states an apparent fact. This is the way verbs are normally used in English. example:  I try to listen to what my teachers have to say in every class.  Joe forgets to pick up after his pet.  It is easier to forget than to forgive someone.

Interrogative – indicates a state of questioning. In the interrogative, the subject-verb order is inverted. example:  Will you forgive and forget? (Interrogative of: You will forgive and forget.)  Why haven’t you cleaned up your room? (Interrogative of: You have not cleaned up your room.)  Can you start thinking about college now? (Interrogative of: You can start thinking about college now.)

Imperative – states is a command or request. Frequently, the subject does not appear in the sentence, but it is implied. example:  (You) Listen to what your teachers have to say.  Please go away.  Stop!

Subjunctive – expresses a doubt, desire, imaginary situation, or condition contrary to fact. The subjunctive typically takes these verbs: ask demand insist move order pray determine prefer recommend regret request require suggest wish example:  If I were you, I would run.  I prefer Jamie take care of the children instead of young Natasha.  The teacher recommends Jen Esposito represent our school at the contest. (NOTE: The subjunctive mood of the verb “to be” is “be” in the present tense and “were” in the past tense regardless of the subject.)

Conditional – indicates a conditional state that will cause something else to happen. It is marked by the words might, could, should, and would. example:  If you forgive and forget, you would feel better about the situation. If the person forgives and forgets (conditional state), he or she might feel better ("feeling better" will happen).  The Pope might visit our town if we get selected. If the town gets selected (conditional state), the Pope might visit ("visiting" will happen).  Shyam could pass the SATs if his tutor helped him out more. If his tutor helped him out more (conditional state), Shyam could pass the SATs("passing" will happen).

An inappropriate shift or inconsistency in the verb of a sentence confuses the reader. Shifts in the verb mood can make reading difficult and obscure the sentence’s meaning (i.e. it makes it confusing). To correct the shift, both clauses in the sentence should be in the same mood.

Inappropriate Shift Trust your instinct, and your heart should be followed. (imperative)(indicative) Correction Trust your instinct and follow your heart.(imperative)

Inappropriate Shift You should trust your instinct, but why wouldn’t you follow your heart? (indicative)(interrogative) Correction You should trust your instinct, but you wouldn’t follow your heart.(indicative)

Inappropriate Shift If you were to trust your instinct, you will follow your heart. (subjunctive: hint “if/were”)(indicative) Correction If you were to trust your instinct, you would follow your heart. (subjunctive past form were) (subjunctive past form would)

Think about the shift in verb mood next time you write and try to avoid it.