Grammar Guide: Indicative Mood

Can you imagine a world without peace? No matter which country you come from, you probably have a military that promises to protect its people in both times of peace and war. In the United States, we try to remember all of the people, past and present, who have served or are serving in the military. We call someone who has served in the military a "veteran." Veterans Day is celebrated in many countries throughout the world. In the United States, today is Veterans Day (November 11).

Indicative Mood
Last week we discussed how the imperative mood is used to express requests or commands (particularly in those delicious Thanksgiving recipes). The indicative mood is used to make statements, express facts, or pose questions. We often see the indicative mood when we talk about history or stories in the news.

We form the indicative mood by using a subject plus a verb (in any tense). We can use the indicative mood to express statements, facts, or questions.

• Veterans Day commemorates all of those people who have served in the military.
• World War I ended on November 11, 1918.
• Who is a veteran?

The following is a quote from Anthony J. Principi. Notice the indicative mood in his explanation of veterans.

• "Who is a Veteran?
  "They are men and women who, for many reasons, donned the uniform of our country [the United States] to stand between freedom and tyranny; to take up the sword of justice in defense of the liberties we hold dear; to preserve peace and to calm the winds of war. . . .
  "By their example of courage under fire, they raised up a new nation, inspired by the dignity of the common man -- a nation blessed with heroes and heroes' dreams. That is leadership of the highest quality. That is America's leadership legacy."
  -VA Secretary Anthony J. Prinicipi, July 2, 2003
  www.va.gov

To learn more about Veterans Day, visit the website to the US Department of Veterans Affairs.

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