14. The sun shone (was shining) brightly.
15. They lived (have lived) there several years.
16. She knew (has known) him many years.

17. My friend goes (is going) to Europe next summer.
18. Coleridge portrays (portrayed) scenes vividly.
19. They were going (went) to the city yesterday.
20. He will (shall) be pleased to go.

278. The Modes of Verbs.-Verbs not only express the time of an action, but also indicate the manner in which the action is to be regarded. Sometimes we wish an assertion to be understood as true, and we state it as an actual fact. Sometimes we wish the statement to be looked upon as a possibility, and we make the assertion doubtfully, or with reservation. At other times we do not make a statement of a fact, but we command someone to do something. Statements are made, therefore, from three view points. We call these different view points modes.

The indicative mode states something as true; the subjunctive mode states something as thought of; the imperative mode expresses a command.

EXAMPLES

Indicative: William departed yesterday.
Subjunctive: If he were here, I could go.
Imperative: Bring the papers to me.

279. The Form of the Subjunctive.-The form of the subjunctive differs from the indicative only in the second and third persons singular. The subjunctive form of these persons is like that of the first person. The verb be is the only one that has different forms for the subjunctive.

280. Uses of the Subjunctive.-We have said that the subjunctive mode views action or state of being as thought of. There are several slightly different ways in which action may be thought of. The purpose of this mode is to indicate doubt or uncertainty in the speaker's mind. It may also state a mere supposition, something contrary to fact, either in the form of a wish or a condition. To summarize, we may say that the subjunctive mode is used,—

1. In statements with respect to possible or doubtful future events.

Example: Go before it be too late.

2. In clauses following verbs of wishing, requesting, demanding, commanding, etc.

Example: He requests that she come at once.

3. In conditions contrary to fact or regarded as uncertain. Example: If I were he, I would try it.

4. In conclusions following conditions that are contrary to fact or regarded as uncertain.

Example: If I were he, I would try it.

5. In clauses expressing purpose. Example: Hurry, lest you be late.

EXERCISE A

281. Explain whether the verbs in the following sentences are in the indicative or the subjunctive mode; that is, explain how the statement is to be regarded:

1. Though he be poor, he is not destitute. 2. They require that he appear in person. 3. If thine eye offend thee, pluck it out.

4. If father comes in time, we shall be able to take the eight o'clock train.

5. It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he be cast into the sea.

6. I wish I were there now.

7. Though he be richer than Croesus, his wealth shall not save him.

8. Though he were my enemy I would reward him. 9. I ask that he be allowed to join.

10. Had you come yesterday, I could have met you. II. Let the truth spread till it reach every land.

12. Should he succeed, he would not be satisfied. 13. Would that I might be with you!

14. If it were true, it should not trouble you.

15. If he had failed, we could not have blamed him. 16. Help him lest he fall.

EXERCISE B

282. Insert the proper form of the verb in the blank spaces below, and explain the manner in which each statement is to be viewed.

you (strike).

10. I ordered that he at once (send).

II. What can you do, if you- - health (lose).

12. If the day- fair, we shall continue our journey (be). 13. Let us hope that he rightly (chose).

14. Whether he or not, does not concern us (go). 15. If anything, let us know (lack).

283. The Imperative Mode.-The imperative mode expresses commands, advice, or entreaties, and is always addressed to someone; hence, is in the second person.

Command: Go at once.

EXAMPLES

Advice: To thine own self be true.

Entreaty: Have pity upon our distress.

284. The Voice of Verbs.-There are certain verbs which have the power of showing either that the subject is acting upon something, or is being acted upon

by something. In one case the subject is active; that is, is doing the acting. In the other case, the subject is passive; that is, is not acting, but is simply being acted upon. Such verbs are transitive.

The form of the verb that denotes the subject as acting is called the active voice; and the form that denotes the subiect as being acted upon is called the passive voice:

EXAMPLES

Active: The ball struck Henry.

Passive: Henry was struck by the ball.

Active: Fire had destroyed all their supplies.

Passive: All their supplies had been destroyed by fire.

285. The Formation of the Passive Voice.-The various tenses of the passive voice are formed by prefixing the corresponding tense of the verb be to the past participle of the notional verb.

286. Explain the voice of the verbs in the following sentences, and reconstruct them so that the voice of each will be changed:

1. She sent the flowers.

2. He mentioned the return of King Richard.

3. I heard the notes of the organ.