MOOD
[Sidenote: _Definition._]
213. The word _mood_ is from the Latin _modus_, meaning _manner_, _way_, _method_. Hence, when applied to verbs,--
Mood means the manner of conceiving and expressing action or being of some subject.
[Sidenote: _The three ways._]
214. There are three chief ways of expressing action or being:--
(1) As a fact; this may be a question, statement, or assumption.
(2) As doubtful, or merely conceived of in the mind.
(3) As urged or commanded.
INDICATIVE MOOD
[Sidenote: _Deals with facts._]
215. The term _indicative_ is from the Latin _indicare_ (to declare,
or assert). The indicative represents something as a fact,--
[Sidenote: _Affirms or denies._]
(1) _By declaring a thing to be true or not to be true_; thus,--
Distinction _is_ the consequence, never the object, of a great
mind.--ALLSTON.
I _do not remember_ when or by whom I _was taught_ to read;
because I _cannot_ and never _could recollect_ a time when I
_could not read_ my Bible.--D. WEBSTER.
[Sidenote: _Assumed as a fact._]
[Sidenote: _Caution._]
(2) _By assuming a thing to be true_ without declaring it to be so.
This kind of indicative clause is usually introduced by _if_ (meaning
_admitting that, granting that_, etc.), _though, although_, etc.
Notice that the action is not merely conceived as possible; it is
assumed to be a fact: for example,--
If the penalties of rebellion hung over an unsuccessful contest;
if America was yet in the cradle of her political existence; if
her population little exceeded two millions; if she was without
government, without fleets or armies, arsenals or magazines,
without military knowledge,--still her citizens had a just and
elevated sense of her rights.--A. HAMILTON.
(3) _By asking a question to find out some fact_; as,--
Is private credit the friend and patron of industry?--HAMILTON.
With respect to novels what shall I say?--N. WEBSTER.
[Sidenote: _Definition._]
216 .The indicative mood is that form of a verb which represents a
thing as a fact, or inquires about some fact.
0 comments:
Post a Comment