Declarative Mood

indicative mood moods

There are different types of moods in English. Each shows a special manner toward the subject. In this article, we will focus on the declarative mood.

intermediate

What Is "Declarative Mood" in the English Grammar

What Do We Mean by Declarative Mood?

'Declarative' (also called indicative) mood is used to state facts. As you can guess from its name, declarative sentences express facts or opinions, make arguments, or give information.

Word Order

A declarative statement typically starts with a subject followed by a verb. As you know, an object can follow the verb if necessary.
This is the usual word order of an indicative (declarative) statement, however, sometimes it can change.

Peter seems friendly.

Tylor acts weird.

No Subjects

Sometimes there is a hidden subject in a sentence (especially in speaking). In this case, the listener and the speaker both know whom they are talking about. Check out the examples:

I am bored . Want a new job.

'What will you do?' 'Stay here till tomorrow.'

Inversion

Sometimes first a verb is used then the subject is added to it for more emphasis. In this case, you may be confused about whether you are dealing with a declarative statement or not.

Here comes the rain again.

Tone

When you are using declarative sentences in speaking, you will need to use a suitable tone to express yourself perfectly. We should use an assertive tone while declaring statements.

Affirmative or Negative

We can state facts in affirmative or negative forms. As you know, negative statements include a negative verb.

I study English at university. (Affirmative)

She doesn't like Jimmy. (Negative)

General Points

a sentence in the declarative mood

Using Do, Does, Did

Normally, we do not use the auxiliary verbs (do, does, did) in affirmative sentences. Keep in mind that we can use them in affirmative declarative sentences only to put emphasis on the verb or when they are the main verbs not the auxiliary verbs. Check out the examples:

She does wash the dishes tonight.

People did go on a protest last night.

Punctuation

Do not forget that the 'declarative sentences have to end in a period (.).

The bird lays five eggs per year.

Basketball players are practicing for the final game.

Tense

Declarative sentences are used in all tenses whether past, present, or future.

They went on a holiday.

Tina will be having lunch tomorrow at 1 pm.

Passive or Active

Declarative sentences are formed in both passive and active voices. There is no limitation in this case. Check out the examples:

Rachel gave birth to this angle.

Humans are born with hidden talents.

Review

There are different moods in English. Declarative mood is one of the most important moods in English grammar. Let us see what it is used for:

To express facts
To give information
To make arguments

Comments

Review

Moods

Moods and tenses are different concepts in English grammar that are widely confused. In this lesson, we will learn all about moods in English grammar.

Imperative Mood

If you're wondering what the word 'imperative' means, in grammar, imperatives are verbs that are used to tell somebody what to do or not to do.

Subjunctive Mood

Subjunctive is a form or mood of verbs that helps us talk about wishes, possibility or uncertainty. To learn about this mood, start reading this article.

Interrogative Mood

Interrogative mood is a form of verb that is used to ask questions. Now if you want to learn how to make questions correctly, read this article.

Exclamatory Mood

There are six moods in English grammar. In this article, we will focus on the exclamatory mood. Exclamatives are moods of feelings.

Conditional Mood

Have you ever thought about something that might have happened if there was a different situation in the past? Conditionals help us talk about possibilities.

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