Page:The grammar of English grammars.djvu/375



INDICATIVE MOOD.

The indicative mood is that form of the verb, which simply indicates or declares a thing, or asks a question. It is used in all the tenses.

PRESENT TENSE.

The present indicative, in its simple form, is essentially the same as the present infinitive, or radical verb; except that the verb be has am in the indicative.

1. The simple form of the present tense is varied thus:--

Singular. Plural. 1st person, I love,     1st person. We love, 2d person, Thou lovest, 2d person, You love, 3d person, He loves;    3d person, They love.

2. This tense may also be formed by prefixing the auxiliary do to the verb: thus,

Singular. Plural. 1. I do love,          1. We do love, 2. Thou dost love,     2. You do love, 3. He does love;       3. They do love.

IMPERFECT TENSE.

This tense, in its simple form is the preterit; which, in all regular verbs, adds d or ed to the present, but in others is formed variously.

1. The simple form of the imperfect tense is varied thus:--

Singular. Plural. 1. I loved,           1. We loved, 2. Thou lovedst,      2. You loved, 3. He loved;          3. They loved.

2. This tense may also be formed by prefixing the auxiliary did to the present: thus,

Singular. Plural. 1. I did love,        1. We did love, 2. Thou didst love,   2. You did love, 3. He did love;       3. They did love.

PERFECT TENSE.

This tense prefixes the auxiliary have to the perfect participle: thus,

Singular. Plural. 1. I have loved,      1. We have loved, 2. Thou hast loved,   2. You have loved, 3. He has loved;      3. They have loved.

IMPERFECT TENSE.

This tense prefixes the auxiliary had to the perfect participle: thus,

Singular. Plural. 1. I had loved,       1. We had loved, 2. Thou hadst loved,  2. You had loved, 3. He had loved;      3. They had loved.

FIRST-FUTURE TENSE.

This tense prefixes the auxiliary shall or will to the present: thus,

1. Simply to express a future action or event:--

Singular. Plural. 1. I shall love,      1. We shall love, 2. Thou wilt love,    2. You will love, 3. He will love;      3. They will love;

2. To express a promise, volition, command, or threat:--

Singular. Plural. 1. I will love,       1. We will love, 2. Thou shalt love,   2. You shall love, 3. He shall love;     3. They shall love.