How to Use Indicative Verbs

The English language utilizes verb moods that indicate the manner in which the action or condition of the verb is intended. The indicative mood states a fact or asks a question, the imperative mood states a command or a request and the subjunctive mood expresses a condition that is not true, or net yet true. Indicative verbs can be conjugated in the past, present, future and perfect tenses.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Determine the action of the sentence. The verb will be in indicative mood if the action is a fact or happening directly but not a command or request.

2. Use the present tense if the action is happening now as in, "The cat is sleeping on the sofa." Present perfect tense is used to show that the action has happened in the past and continued into the present as in, "The cat has slept on the sofa since he was a kitten."

3. Choose the past tense if the action has already happened and has ended as in, "The cat slept on the sofa." Past perfect tense is used to indicate that the action started in the past but has since ended as in, "The cat had slept on the sofa for years, but finally stopped last month."

4. Put the verb in the future tense if the action will happen, but has not yet happened as in, "The cat will sleep on the sofa." Future perfect tense is used to show that an action will begin and end at some point in the future as in, "Next month, the cat will have slept on the sofa for 10 straight years."

5. Recognize when the subjunctive tense should be used. If the action is contrary to fact, or is a recommendation or request (but not a command), subjunctive tense is used to show that the action is not for certain. For example, "If the cat were to stop sleeping on the sofa, the sofa would not be covered in cat hair," shows that the action (the cat not sleeping on the sofa) is counter to what is actually happening.