Advanced Placement (AP) English Literature Practice Exam

Which mood in English expresses a command?

1. Indicative

2. Subjunctive

3. Imperative

4. Conditional

The correct answer is: Imperative

The mood that expresses a command is known as the imperative mood. This mood is used to give direct orders, requests, or instructions. In English, the imperative is typically formed with the base form of the verb, and the subject (you) is often implied rather than explicitly stated. For example, in the command "Close the door," the subject is understood to be "you," making it a directive to the listener. In contrast, the indicative mood is used for stating facts or asking questions, such as in the sentence "She is reading a book." The subjunctive mood expresses wishes, hypotheticals, or conditions contrary to fact, often seen in sentences like "I wish he were here." The conditional mood involves scenarios that depend on a condition being met, as in "If it rains, we will stay inside." Each of these moods serves a different purpose, but the imperative is specifically designed for issuing commands.