Happy Imperative Day! - (copy)

It's March 4th. You know . . .March fourth. Sounds like "March forth!"

It's the only day of the year (that I can think of, anyway) that gives a command -- telling us all to get out there and march. This is a verb that is in the IMPERATIVE MOOD. This is one of three "moods" that a verb can take in the English language.

#1 IMPERATIVE MOOD
This is used to express an order or command ("Get out!" or "Leave!") or to give advice or a warning ("Try to be on time" or "Watch out for falling acorns") or to give instructions ("Put your name at the top, then start writing") or to make a request ("Please give me another chance!")

We form the imperative mood by just dropping the "to" from the infinitive form. If the verb is "to dance" and we want to make it imperative, we just say "Dance!"

#2 INDICATIVE MOOD
This is used to state facts or to ask questions. Nobody has to do anything in response when you are using the indicative mood -- that's an easy way to tell it apart from imperative. If an imperative asks Joe to "Eat your dinner!" the indicative mood might say "Joe is eating his dinner" or perhaps "Is Joe eating his dinner?" Most verb usage in English is in the indicative mood.

#3 SUBJUNCTIVE MOOD
Verbs in the subjunctive mood express a hypothetical situation -- a wish, a suggestion, a sense of doubt or uncertainty.

"If I WERE Joe, I would eat my dinner." (usually "WAS")
"I suggest that Joe EAT his dinner." (usually "EATS")
"I propose that Joe GET no dessert unless he eats his dinner." (usually "GETS")

Refer back to this as you try to win big money on international Imperative Day!