MOOD.
Verbs have three moods, the indicative, (embracing what is commonly
included under the _indicative_, the _subjunctive_, and the
_potential_,) the imperative, and the infinitive.--For definitions,
refer to the body of the work.
TENSE OR TIME.
Verbs have only two tenses, the present and the past. A verb
expressing action commenced and not completed, is in the present
tense; as, "Religion _soars_: it _has_ gained many victories: it
_will_ [to] _carry_ its votaries to the blissful regions."
When a verb expresses finished action, it is in the past tense; as,
"This page (the Bible) God _hung_ out of heaven, and _retired_."
A verb in the imperative and infinitive moods, is always in the
_present_ tense, high authorities to the contrary notwithstanding.
The _command_ must _necessarily_ be given in time present, although
its _fulfilment_ must be future. John, what are you doing? Learning
my task. Why do you learn it? Because my preceptor _commanded_ me to
do so. When _did_ he command you? _Yesterday_.--Not _now_, of
course.
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