WHEN GRAMMAR GETS IN A MOOD!

I hope you’re celebrating National Grammar Day, because if you’re not—well, let’s just say that grammar can get a little moody.

Yes, grammar does have “moods”—it’s the term used to refer to one of five verb categories. They are:

The indicative mood, which expresses a statement of fact:
She is a prize-winning author.

The imperative mood, which is used to issue a command or instruction:

Have a great Grammar Day!

The interrogative mood, which is used to ask questions and is formed by adding an auxiliary verb:

Did you have a good Grammar Day?

The conditional mood, which uses the auxiliary verb would (and should with “I” and “we”):
We would throw a grammar party every day if we had the time.

I should study my grammar book a bit more.

Finally, there’s the subjunctive mood, which expresses wishful or hypothetical thinking. It is also used to indicate that something is being suggested or demanded.  

I wish I were a better author.

It was suggested that he study grammar.

The word “if” in the beginning of a sentence is also an indicator to use the subjunctive mood, as it expresses something that is wishful or contrary to fact:

If I were in charge, I would declare every day Grammar Day.

While few people have problems with the first four moods, this last one trips up many. I see this all the time: People incorrectly use “was” instead of “were.”

One way to remember this is to keep in mind a well-known song from Fiddler on the Roof, “If I Were a Rich Man.” Teyve is not a rich man, so the song is all wishful thinking, with lyrics such as: “If I were a rich man, all day long I’d biddy biddy bum. If I were a wealthy man, I wouldn’t have to work hard.”

Me too!
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Now go forth and celebrate on this fourth.