158 Essential Skills for Health Careers Success
Mood. The mood of a verb is the way in which the writer wants the sen-
tence to be understood. Mood can be used to ask a question or express a
fact or opinion.
Example: The patient in pain raged at the doctor.
A mood can also be a command or request.
Example: Please assist the doctor with the procedure.
A mood can also express an idea or suggestion.
Example: I recommend that you read the examination carefully
before you start.
Verb Tense. Verb tense will tell you if the action takes place in the present,
past, or future.
Example: Jerry arrived at the hospital last night. His doctors are
reviewing his test results now, but he will have more lab work
done tomorrow.
Verb Person. The person of a verb determines to whom the action or state
of being refers. Verbs can refer to one of three persons: the person who is
speaking (fi rst person); the person being addressed (second person); or a
person, or group of people being discussed (third person).
A fi rst person verb is an action of the person who is speaking or writing.
Example: I am deciding which career to pursue.
A second person verb refers to an action of someone who is being
addressed.
Example: You are going to be a wonderful nurse.
A third person verb refers to an action of someone being discussed.
Example: They are going to become physical therapists.
Verb Number. Verbs should agree in number with related nouns and pro-
nouns. Verbs connected with “I” should always be singular.
Example: I am studying.
Verbs related to “you” are always plural.
Example: You are studying.
Speaking and Verb Tense
Many speakers are inconsistent when expressing verb tense. Some
languages do not have verb tenses, so non-native English speakers
sometimes fi nd this very challenging. When in doubt, consult a grammar text.