Grammatical mood na di way wey we dey inflect verb to express intent. Di intent fit be to make request, give command, offer suggestion, state fact, or express something wey dey imaginary or hypothetical. Dis article go explain haw verb moods dey work for Naija Pidgin.

Indicative mood

We dey use dis mood express facts, real situations, opinions or observations. Di mood dey include statements wey dey reflect reality or belief, instead of commands or hypothetical scenarios. Yu fit express all di verb tenses wit di indicative mood. Examples:

• Ese dey live for Lagos.
• She no sabi sing.
• Segun don komot chat.

Interrogative mood

Interrogative mood na di mood wey we dey use ask questions. Interrogative sentence dey always end wit question mark. Unlike for English, subject-verb order no dey change wen yu move from statement to question. Examples:

• Yu fit smell am?
• Wetin rabbit dey chop?
• Haw much e cost?

Imperative mood

Imperative mood na di mood wey wey dey use give command, instruction, advice, warning, or to make request. E dey express wetin di speaker want make di listener do or no do. For imperative sentence, di subject always dey implied. Examples:

• Oga calm down.
• Close door!
• Chop quick-quick!

Subjunctive mood

Subjunctive mood na di mood wey we dey use express doubt, desires, wishes, hypothetical situations, or statements of importance. Examples:

• We propose sey mek John join awa team becos he bin dey very skilled.
• My parents demand sey mek I dey nice to my annoying cousin.
• E dey important sey mek yu sabi wetin contract talk before yu sign am.

Conditional mood

Conditional mood na di mood wey we dey use express events or actions wey dey depend on certain condition or circumstance. Dem dey usually consider am as subtype of di subjunctive mood. Examples:

• I no go do am if na me be yu.
• If she fit jump di fence, she for don do am.
• If I be clown, I go join circus.
• If I bin sabi math well-well, I no go need tutor.