Statements, questions, orders, and suggestions

Statements, questions, orders, and suggestions

2 Sentences can be used to do many different things.

The most common use is to give information.

I went to Glasgow University.

Carol was one of my sister's best friends.

Sometimes you use a sentence to obtain information, rather than to give it.

Where is my father?

What did you say to Myra?

How long have you been out of this country?

At other times you want to express an opinion, give an order, make a suggestion, or make a promise.

That's an excellent idea.

Go away, all of you.

Shall we listen to the news?

If you have any questions, I'll do my best to answer them.

When someone says or writes a sentence, they need to indicate what they are trying to do with it, so that it will be clear, for example, that they are asking a question and not making a statement.

mood 3 Often it is order of words which indicates which way a sentence is being used. For example, if you say 'He is Norwegian', the word order makes it clear that you are making a statement. If you say 'Is he Norwegian?', the word order indicates that you are asking a question.

Another way of indicating which way a sentence is being used is to begin it with a verb, rather than with the subject. For example, if you say 'Give this book to Michael', it is clear that you are giving an order or instruction, rather than making a statement or asking a question.

These ways of distinguishing between uses of language are examples of mood. The main clause of every sentence is in a particular mood.

4 There are three main moods in English. They are the declarative mood, the interrogative mood, and the imperative mood.

The declarative mood is the mood used in most main clauses. Statements are almost always made using the declarative mood. When a clause is in this mood, the subject is placed in front of the verb.

The declarative mood is sometimes called the indicative mood.

I want to talk to Mr Castle.

Gertrude looked at Anne.

We'll give you fifteen pounds now.

The interrogative mood is the mood usually used in questions. In clauses in this mood, the subject is often placed after the main verb or after an auxiliary verb.

Is she very upset?

Where is my father?

Have you met Halliday?

Did you give him my letter?

The imperative mood is the mood used to tell someone to do something. In clauses in the imperative mood, the subject is usually omitted and the base form of the verb is used.

Give him a good book.

Show me the complete manuscript.

There is a fourth mood called the subjunctive mood. This is a feature of English verbs which sometimes occurs in subordinate clauses. The subjunctive mood is not used to distinguish between different uses of language, and is therefore not dealt with in this chapter. Clauses in which the subjunctive mood occurs are explained in paragraphs 7.40, 8.41. and 8.46.

5 The ways in which mood is used are explained in the following paragraphs.

Paragraphs 6 to 9 explain how the declarative mood is used to make statements. Paragraphs 10 to 30 explain how the interrogative mood is used to ask questions. Paragraphs 31 to 35 explain how the imperative mood is used to tell someone to do something. Other uses of the declarative, interrogative, and imperative moods are explained in paragraphs 36 to 4

Making statements: the declarative mood

6 When you are giving information, you use the declarative mood.

We ate dinner at six.

I like reading poetry.

Japan had agreed to restrict car shipments.

7 When you are expressing an opinion, you usually use the declarative mood.

I think she is a brilliant writer.

It's a good thing Father is deaf.

He ought to have let me know he was going out.

making promises 8 When you make a promise, you use the declarative mood.

I shall do everything I can to help you.

I'll have it sent down by special delivery.

emphasis 9 You can emphasize a statement by putting 'do', 'does', or 'did' in front of the base form of the verb.

I do feel sorry for Roger.

A little knowledge does seem to be a dangerous thing.

He had no time or energy to play with his children or talk with his wife, but he did bring home a regular salary.

Asking questions: the interrogative mood

10 When you ask a question, you usually use the interrogate mood.

types of questions 11 There are two main types of question, question.

Questions which can be answered by 'yes' or 'no' are called 'yes/no' questions.

'Is he your only child?''Yes.'

'Are you planning to marry soon?''No.'

'Can I help you?''Yes, I'd like to book a single room, please.'

'Are you interested in facing?''Yes, I love it.'

'Are you a singer as well as an actress?''No, I'm not a singer at all.'

'Did you go through?''No, I didn't bother.'

The actual answer to a 'yes/no'-question is not always 'yes' or 'no'. For example, if you ask someone 'Do you read in bed?', they might say 'Sometimes' or 'Never'. If you say to someone 'Do you like Michael Jackson?', they might say 'I think he's wonderful'. But the questions 'Do you read in bed?' and 'Do you like Michael Jackson?' are still 'yes/no'-question, because 'yes' and 'no' are the kind of answers the questioner expects. 'Sometimes' will be interpreted as a weak 'yes' answer, 'never' as a strong 'no' answer, and 'I think he's wonderful' as a strong 'yes' answer.

'Yes/no'-questions are fully explained in paragraphs 12 to 16.

The other main type of question begins with a 'wh'-word such as 'what', 'where', or 'when'. When you ask a question of this type, the answer cannot be 'yes' or 'no'.

'Who is he?''A man called Boylan.'

'Why didn't you ask me?''I was afraid to.'

'Where is he now?''He's at university.'

This type of question is called a 'wh'-question. When 'wh'-words are used as pronouns or adverbs at the beginning of a 'wh'-question, they are called interrogative pronouns or interrogative adverbs.

'Wh'-questions are explained in paragraphs 17 to 30.

'Yes/no'-questions

Position of auxiliary verbs 12 In a 'yes/no'-question, if there is an auxiliary verb, the auxiliary verb comes first, followed by the subject, then the main verb.

Are you staying here, by any chance?

Had Mary Jane slept here?

Will they like my garden?

Can he read yet?

If there is more than one auxiliary verb, the first auxiliary verb comes at the beginning of the clause, followed by the subject, followed by the other verbs.

Had he been murdered

Has it been thrown away, perhaps?

For information about auxiliaries, see the Reference Section.

13 If there is no auxiliary verb, you put 'do', 'does', or 'did' at the beginning of the clause, in front of the subject, followed by the base form of the main verb.

Do you understand what I'm saying?

Does it hurt much?

Did you meet George in France?

Note that if the main verb is 'do', you still put 'do', 'does', or 'did' at the beginning of the clause, in front of the subject.

Do they do the work themselves?

Does David do this sort of thing often?

14 If the verb is 'be', you do not use 'do'. You simply put the verb at the beginning of the clause, followed by the subject.

Are you okay?

Is she Ricky's sister?

Am I right?

Was it lonely without us?

If the verb is 'have', you usually put 'do', 'does' or 'did' at the beginning of the clause, in front of the subject.

Do hedgehogs have intelligence?

Does anyone have a question?

Did you have a good flight?

However, when you use 'have' in the sense of 'own' or 'possess', you do not need to use 'do', 'does', or 'did'. You can simply put 'have', 'has', or 'had' at the beginning of the clause. This is a slightly formal use.

Have we anything else we ought to talk about first?

Has he any idea what it's like?

If you use 'have got' or 'has got' in a 'yes/no'-question, you put 'have' or 'has' at the beginning of the clause, followed by the subject, followed by 'got'.

Have you got any brochures on Holland?

Has she got a car?

'Have got' and 'has got' are explained in paragraph 17.

15 You can ask for confirmation that something is true by making a statement in the declarative mood, then adding an expression such as 'isn't it?' or 'was she?'. Constructions like these are called tag questions.

You add a negative expression such as 'isn't it?' to a positive statement, and a positive expression such as 'was she?' to a negative statement.

When you add a negative expression to a positive statement, you expect me answer 'yes'. When you add a positive expression to a negative statement, you expect the answer 'no'.

'David's is quite a nice school, isn't it?''Yes, it is.'

'You don't always remember them, do you?''No.'

'You are going to do this, aren't you?''Yes.'

'We don't want these tables here like this, do we?''No, Dr Kirk.'

Tag questions are explained in detail in paragraphs 10.122 to 10.130.

Positive expressions such as 'are you?' can also be added to positive statements. This use is explained in paragraph 40.

'either/or' questions 16 You sometimes ask a question in which you mention two or more possible answers. You link the possible answers with 'or'. For example, you might say 'Is he awake or asleep?' or 'Do you like your coffee white or black?' You expect the actual answer to your question to be one of the answers you have mentioned.

Words, word groups, and clauses can all be linked in this way.

Questions like these are sometimes called 'either/or' question.

'Is it a boy or a girt?''A beautiful boy.'

'Was it healthy or diseased?' 'Diseased, I'm afraid.'

'Will you have your whisky, or do you want dinner straight away?''Whisky. Make it a large one.'

'Wh'-questions

17 When you ask someone a 'wh'-question, you want them to specify a particular person, thing, place, reason, method, or amount. You do not expect them to answer 'yes' or 'no'.

'wh'-words 18 'Wh'-questions begin with a 'wh'-word.

'Wh'-words are a set of pronouns, adverbs, and determiners which all, with the exception of 'how', begin with 'wh-'. Here is a list of the main 'wh'-words:

'Wh'-word as subject 19 When a 'wh'-word is the subject of a verb, or when it forms part of the subject, the word order of the clause is the same as that of a clause in the declarative mood, i.e. the subject is put first, followed by the verb.

Who invited you?

And then what happened?

Which mattress is best?

'wh'-word as object or adverb 20 When a 'wh'-word is the object of a verb or preposition, or when it forms part of the object, or when it is an adverb, the position of the subject is the usual one in the interrogative mood; that is it comes after the first verb in the clause.

What am I going to do without you?

Which graph are you going to use?

Why has Cherubini written this?

When would you be coming down?

If you are using the simple present tense or the simple past tense of any verb except 'be', you put 'do', 'does', or 'did' in front of the subject.

What do you really think?

Which department do you want?

Where does she live?

How do you know what it's like?

When did you last see John Cartwright?

If you are using the simple present tense or the simple past tense of 'be', the main verb goes in front of the subject. You do not use 'do', 'does', or 'did'.

Where is the station?

How was your meeting?

When was the last time you cleaned the garage?

21 In conversation, a 'wh'-question sometimes consists of a 'wh'-word on its own. For example, if you say to someone 'I'm learning to type', they might say 'Why?', meaning 'Why are you learning to type?'.

'He saw a snake.''Where?'

'I have to go to Germany.''When?'

'I knew you were landing today.''How?'

A 'wh'-question can also consist of a noun group containing a 'wh'-word. For example, if you say to someone 'I gave your book to that girl', they might say 'Which girl?', meaning 'Which girl did you give my book to?'.

'He knew my cousin.''Which cousin?'

'Who was your friend?''What friend?'

22 The pronoun 'who' is used to ask questions about a person's identity. 'Who' can be the subject or object of a verb.

Who discovered this?

Who were her friends?

Who are you expecting?

Who did he marry?

In more formal English, 'whom' is sometimes used instead of 'who' as the object of a verb.

Whom shall we call?

Whom did you see?

'Who' and 'whom' can also be the object of a preposition. When 'who' is the object of a preposition, the preposition is put at the end of the clause.

Who did you dance with?

Who do I pay this to?

When 'whom' is the object of a preposition, the preposition is put at the beginning of the clause, in front of 'whom'.

For whom were they supposed to do it?

To whom is a broadcaster responsible?

23 'Whose' is used as a determiner or pronoun to ask which person something belongs to or is associated with.

Whose babies did you think they were?

Whose body was it?

Whose is that?

24 'Which' is used as a pronoun or determiner to ask someone to identify a specific person or thing out of a number of people or things.

Which is the best restaurant?

Which is her room?

Which do you like best?

Which doctor do you want to see?

When 'which' is a determiner, it can be part of the object of a preposition. The preposition is usually put at the end of the question.

Which station did you come from?

Which land will they have passed over?

'when' and 'where' 25 'When' is used to ask questions about the time something happened, happens, or will happen.

When did you find her?

When do we have supper?

Ginny, when are you coming home?

'Where' is used to ask questions about place, position, or direction.

Where does she live?

Where are you going?

Where do you go to complain?

'why' 26 'Why' is used to ask a question about the reason for something.

Why are you here?

Why does Amy want to go and see his grave?

Why does she treat me like that when we're such old friends?

'Why' is sometimes used without a subject and with the base form of a verb, usually to ask why an action is or was necessary.

Why wake me up?

Why bother about me?

Why make a point of it?

'Why not' can be used with the base form of a verb, in order to make a suggestion or to ask why a particular action has not been taken.

Why not end it now?

Why not read a book?

If it was Haldeman, then why not say so?

'how' 27 'How' is usually used to ask about the method used for doing something, or about the way in which something can be achieved.

How do we open it?

How are you going to get that?

How could he explain it to her?

How did he know when you were coming?

'How' is also used to ask questions about the way a person feels, about the way someone or something looks, or about the way something sounds, feels, or tastes.

How are you feeling today?

'How do I look?''Very nice.'

How did you feel when you stood up in front of the class?

'how' with other words 28 'How' can be combined with other words at the beginning of questions.

'How many' and 'how much' are used to ask what number of things there are or what amount of something there is.

'How many' is followed by a plural count noun.

How many people are there?

How many languages can you speak?

How many times have you been?

'How much' is followed by an uncount noun.

How much money have we got in the bank?

Just how much time have you been devoting to this?

'How many' and 'how much' can be used without a following noun when you do not need to make it clear what sort of thing you are talking about.

How many did you find?

How much did he tell you?

How much does it cost?

How much do they really understand?

'How long' is used to ask about the length of a period of time.

How long have you lived here?

How long will it take?

How long can she live like this?

How long ago was that?

'How long' is also used to ask questions about distance, although this use is less common.

How long is the side of that triangle there?

'How far' is used in questions about distance and extent.

How far can we see?

How far is it to Montreal from here?

How far have you got with your homework?

You can combine 'how' with an adjective when you are asking to what extent something has a particular quality or feature.

How big's your overdraft at the moment?

How old are your children?

29 'What' can be a pronoun or determiner, or it can be used in combination with 'if' or 'for'.

'What' is used as a pronoun to find out various kinds of specific information, for example details of an event, the meaning of a word or expression, or the reason for something.

What's wrong with his mother?

What has happened to him?

What is the Cup Final?

What keeps you hanging around here?

'What' can be used to ask someone's opinion of something.

What do you think about the present political situation?

'What' is often used as the object of a preposition. The preposition usually goes at the end of the question.

What are you interested in?

What did he die of?

What do you want to talk about?

'What' is used as a determiner to find out the identity of something or to ask what kind of thing it is.

What books does she read?

What church did you say you attend?

'What if' goes in front of a clause in the declarative mood. It is used to ask what should be done if a particular difficulty occurs.

What if it's really bad weather?

What if they didn't want to part with it, what would you do then?

You put 'what' at the beginning of a question and 'for' at the end of it when you want to know the reason for something or the purpose of something. 'What are you staring for?' means the same as 'Why are you staring?'. 'What is this handle for?' means 'What is the purpose of this handle?'.

What are you going for?

What are those lights for?

'What' can also be used in combination with 'about' or 'of'. This use is explained in paragraph 41.

'whatever', 'wherever', and 'whoever' 30 If you want a question to sound more emphatic, you can use  'whatever' instead of 'what', 'wherever' instead of 'where', or 'whoever' instead of 'who'.

Whatever is the matter?

Wherever did you get this?

Whoever heard of a bishop resigning?

Telling someone to do something: the imperative mood

orders and instructions 31 When someone gives a very clear order or instruction, they usually use the imperative mood.

Stop her.

Put that gun down.

Tell your mother as soon as possible.

Written instructions are given in the imperative mood.

Boil up a little water with washing up liquid in it.

Fry the chopped onion and pepper in the oil.

An order can be made more forceful by putting 'you' in front of the verb.

You get in the car.

You shut up!

advice and warnings 32 You can use the imperative mood when you are giving advice or a warning.

Be sensible.

You be careful.

Often advice or a warning is expressed in a negative form. You form a negative imperative by putting 'don't' or 'do not' in front of the base form of the verb.

Don't be afraid of them.

Don't be discouraged.

Do not move out of your home without getting legal advice.

You can also form a negative imperative by putting 'never' in front of the base form of a verb.

Never open the front door without looking through the peephole.

Another way of giving advice or a warning is to use one of the modals 'should' or 'ought to' in a declarative sentence.

You should get to know him better.

You shouldn't keep eggs in the refrigerator.

This use is explained in detail in paragraph 219.

33 You use the imperative mood when you are appealing to someone to do something.

Come quickly Come quickly Hurry!

You can make an appeal more forceful by putting 'do' in front of the verb.

Do help me out.

And now, please do stop crying.

34 You can use the imperative mood with some verbs when you are explaining something and you want the listener or reader to think about a particular thing or possibility, or to compare two things.

Take, for instance, the new proposals for student loans.

Imagine, for example, an assembly line worker in a factory making children's blocks.

But suppose for a moment that the automobile industry had developed at the same rate as computers.

For example, compare a typical poor country like Indonesia with a rich one like Canada.

Consider, for example, the contrast between the way schools today treat space and time.

Here is a list of verbs which are used in this way:

35 'Let' is used in imperative sentences in four different ways:

it is used to give an order or instruction

Let Phillip have a look at it.

you use it followed by 'us' when you are making a suggestion about what you and someone else should do. 'Let us' is almost always shortened to 'Let's'.

Let's go outside.

Let's creep forward on hands and knees.

you use it followed by 'me' when you are offering to do something

Let me take your coat.

in very formal English, it is used to express a wish.

Let the joy be universal.

Let confusion live!

Let the best man or woman win.

Other uses of moods

36 You can confirm that something is true by asking a question using the declarative mood.

So you admit something is wrong?

Then you think we can keep it?

When you ask a question using the declarative mood, you expect the answer 'yes', unless you use a negative construction, in which case you expect the answer 'no'.

'You mean it's still here?''Of course.'

'You never learned the deaf and dumb alphabet?''No, never.'

Questions expressed in the declarative mood often begin with a conjunction.

So you're satisfied?

And you will listen dutifully?

instructing 37 You can give an instruction in a fairly informal way by using a declarative sentence with 'you' as the subject.

You put the month and the temperature on the top line.

You take the bus up to the landing stage at twelve-thirty.

You just bung it in the oven.

offers and invitations 38 When you are making an offer or an invitation, you usually use a 'yes/no'-question beginning with a modal such as 'can' or 'would'. This use is explained in detail in paragraphs 177 to 18

Can I help you?

Can I give you a lift?

Would you like me to get something for you?

Would you like some coffee?

Would you like to go to Ernie's for dinner?

You can make an offer or invitation in a more informal way by using the imperative mood. Note that you can only do this when it is clear that you are not giving an order.

Have a cigar.

Come to my place.

Come in, Mrs Kintner.

You can add emphasis by putting 'do' in front of the verb.

Do have a chocolate biscuit.

Do help yourselves.

requests, orders, and instructions 39 When you are making a request, you usually use a 'yes/no'-question beginning with one of the modals 'could', 'can', or 'would'.

Could I ask you a few questions?

Can I have my hat back, please?

Would you mind having a word with my husband?

You can also give an order or instruction using a 'yes/no'-question beginning with a modal.

Will you tell Watson I shall be in a little late?

These uses are explained in detail in paragraph 160 to 170.

rhetorical questions 40 When you use a 'yes/no'-question to offer help or to make a request, you still expect the answer 'yes' of 'no'. However, people sometimes say things which seem like 'yes/no'-question, although do not expect an answer at all. They are using the 'yes/no'-question form to express a strong feeling, opinion, or impression.

For example, instead of saying 'That's an ugly building', someone might say 'Isn't that an ugly building?. Or instead of saying 'You never seem to get upset', someone might say 'Don't you ever get upset?'.

Questions like these are called rhetorical questions.

Doesn't the whole set-up strike you as crazy?

Can't you see that I'm busy?

Hasn't anyone round here got any sense?

Does nothing ever worry you?

Another kind of rhetorical question consists of a statement followed by an expression such as 'are you?' or 'is it?'. For example, someone might say 'So you are the new assistant, are you?' or 'So they're coming to tea, are they?'.

So you want to be an actress, do you?

So you came up to sit beside me, did you?

Rhetorical questions can also begin with 'how'. They usually express a feeling of shock or indignation. For example, instead of saying 'You are very cruel', someone might say 'How can you be so cruel?'.

How can you say such things?

How dare you speak to me like that?

Rhetorical questions are dealt with fully in paragraph 10.121.

41 You can ask a question consisting of 'what about' or 'what of' in front of a noun group, without a verb. You ask a question like this to remind someone of something, or to draw their attention to something. With this kind of question, you often expect an action, rather than a reply.

What about the others on the list?

What about your breakfast?

But what of the growing disadvantages of having too many children?

42 There are several ways in which you can make a suggestion:

you can use the modal 'could' in a declarative sentence (see paragraph 187)

We could have tea.

You could get someone to dress up as a pirate.

you can use a negative 'wh'-question beginning with 'why'

Why don't we just give them what they want?

Why don't you write to her yourself?

you can use a question consisting of 'what about' or 'how about' in front of a non-finite clause

What about becoming an actor?

How about using makeup to dramatize your features?

you can use the imperative mood.

'Give them a reward each,' I suggested.

You can also make a suggestion about what you and someone else might do by using 'let's'. This use is explained in paragraph 35.