Comparative analysis of different moods in English and Urdu language

Moods:
Mood represents the intention of the writer in a sentence. It denotes, if the stated sentence is a
request, an order, a suggestion, a fact or something imaginary.
Moods in English language:
There are different moods in English language, some are stated below;
1. Indictive mood
2. Imperative mood
3. Subjunctive mood
4. Conditional mood
5. Interrogative mood
6. Optative mood

Moods in Urdu language:

In both language’s, same moods are used to convey emotions, commands, statements, wishes,
facts or hypothetical situations.

1. Indicative mood (Urdu (‫ افعالی‬- Af'ali):

This mood is used to make statements or declarations about something, expressing facts,
opinions or descriptions. In both the language this mood plays the same role.
In Urdu language, indicative mood follows the sentence structure of subjects-object-verb (SOV).
And it may include various markers and particles to convey tenses, aspects and other
distinctions.
In English language, the indicative mood follows a sentence structure of subject-verb-objects
rule and uses auxiliary verbs, tenses and word order to convey the time frame and other details of
the action or state.
Examples:
"‫"وہ کتاب پڑھتا ہے۔‬
"‫"وہ کتاب پڑھے گا۔‬
“He will read the book.”
“He reads the book.”
2. Imperative mood (Urdu (‫ – امریہ‬Amriya):
In both the languages, imperative mood is used to give commands, or to make requests, and
to offer suggestions.
But in English, it is usually created by simply using the base verb form and can include
‘please’ for politeness.
Examples:
"‫"کتاب پڑھو۔‬
"‫"براہ کرم میری مدد کریں۔‬
“Please help me.”
“Read the book.”

3. Subjunctive mood (Urdu (‫ منصوبی‬- Mansoobi):

This mood is used to express hypothetical situations, wishes, suggestions or unreal conditions.
But in urdu, the subjunctive mood is less explicit than in English.
The subjunctive mood in English is often formed by using the base form of the verb, regardless
of the subject. It is commonly seen in phrases starting with “if," "wish," "suggest," "demand," or
certain expressions like "it is crucial that," "it is necessary that," etc.
The subjunctive mood in Urdu is reflected through verb conjugation, often using the future tense
form, particularly with auxiliary verbs like "‫( "کرنا‬to do) or "‫( "ہونا‬to happen) in dependent
clauses.
Examples:
"‫"کاش میں وہاں ہوتا۔‬
"‫"تمہیں اسے پڑھنا چاہئے۔‬
You should read it.
I wish I were there.

4. Conditional mood (Urdu (‫ شرطی‬- Sharti):

This mood express conditions, or hypothetical situations or possibilities, or events that may
or may not happen, depending on certain conditions. often uses conditional particles or
auxiliary verbs.
The conditional mood in English is often formed using the word "if" to introduce the
condition, followed by the simple present tense or past tense of the verb to express the result.
 English also uses the modal auxiliary verbs "would," "could," "should," "might," etc., to
indicate different levels of possibility or likelihood in conditional sentences.
In Urdu, the conditional mood is conveyed through verb conjugation and specific
conditional particles. Urdu uses certain particles like "‫( "اگر‬if) to introduce the condition,
followed by verb conjugations to express the result or consequence.
Examples:
"‫"اگر میں راستہ بھول جاتا تو مجھے بتانا۔‬
"‫"اگر تم پڑھاؤ تو تمہاری فہم بڑھے گی۔‬
If you study, your understanding will improve.
If I forget the way, tell me.

5. Interrogative mood (Urdu (‫ سوالیہ‬- Sawaliya):

It is used to form questions, seeking information, confirmations or clarifications.
English uses questions words (who, what, where, why, how) or questions structures (inverting
the subject and auxiliary verb) to form interrogative sentence.
Urdu uses the similar approach to form questions, seeking information or confirmation. Urdu
questions are formed using question words (‫ کب‬- when, ‫ کیا‬- what, ‫ کہاں‬- where, ‫ کیوں‬- why, ‫ کیسے‬-
how) or by altering word order.
Examples:
” Where are you going?"
"Are you coming?
."‫"تم کہاں جا رہے ہو؟‬
"‫"کیا وہ آ رہا ہے؟‬

6. Optative mood (Urdu-‫)تمنائی‬:

The optative mood expresses wish, desires, hopes, or commands. While it exists in both English
and Urdu, its use is more explicit and defined in certain languages than others.
In English, the optative mood is often expressed using certain verbs (like "wish," "may," "let,"
"God bless," "long live," etc.) and structures to convey hopes or desires.
Urdu often employs certain verbs (like "‫ "خواہش‬- wish, "‫ "رب‬- may, "‫ "ہو‬- let) and specific
sentence structures to convey hopes, desires, or commands.
Examples:
"May you have a wonderful day."
"God bless you."
"Long live the king."
"‫"تمہاری زندگی خوشیوں سے بھری ہو۔‬
"‫ ہمیں معاف کرے‬،‫”رب‬

References:
Moods in English grammar. “Byjus”. 4th Jan, 2024. https://byjus.com/english/mood-in-english-
grammar/.
Ryan, 25th Feb, 2023. The subjective mood. “scribber”. 4th Jan, 2023.
https://www.scribbr.com/verbs/subjunctive-mood/.
Nordquist. 19th July, 2018. Imperative mood in English. “ThoughCo.”. 4th Jan, 2024.
https://www.thoughtco.com/imperative-mood-grammar-1691151.
Interrogative mood. “StudySmarter”. 4th Jan, 2024.
https://www.studysmarter.co.uk/explanations/english/english-grammar/interrogative-mood/.
Optative mood. “StudySmarter”. 4th Jan, 2024.
https://www.studysmarter.co.uk/explanations/english/english-grammar/optative-mood/.
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https://urdu.wordinn.com/indicative+mood.
Subjunctive mood. “Libraries”. 4st Jan, 2024. https://openbooks.lib.msu.edu/urdu/chapter/8-9/.
Learn making imperative sentences in Urdu. “Learning Urdu from English”. 4th Jan, 2024.
https://learnenglishfromurdu.com/imperative-sentences-in-urdu/.
Contional mood. “Polyglot wiki”. April, 2023. 4th Jan, 2024.
https://polyglotclub.com/wiki/Language/Urdu/Grammar/Conditional-Mood.
Optative mood. “Rekta Dictionary”. 4th Jan, 2024. https://www.rekhtadictionary.com/urdu-
meaning-of-optative-mood.