Field Notes
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What Is Grammatical Mood?
Three teachers, three different tones in one lesson — spot the mood behind each sentence
The Verb SystemThe Imperative Mood
"Take a seat," "don't forget," "let's go" — imperatives, and how to soften an order without losing it
The Verb SystemThe Imperative Mood
"Open your books" works without an "I" or "you" in sight — see how commands are built
The Verb SystemThe Subjunctive
That flicker before "if I was" versus "if I were" — the subjunctive's tiny toolkit, explained without the jargon
The Verb SystemThe Subjunctive
Your teacher crosses out "was" and writes "were" — the subjunctive that trips up everyone
The Verb SystemModal Verbs — Overview
"We can to deliver by Tuesday" looks fine until it doesn't — modal verbs and the rule they obey
The Verb SystemModal Verbs — Overview
Spell-check stays quiet on "She can sings well" — learn to catch what it misses
The Verb SystemAbility & Permission (can/could/may)
Slack request to a colleague, formal ask to a client — matching can, could, and may to the room
The Verb SystemAbility & Permission (can/could/may)
"Can you come and dig out the dens?" — the difference between asking and being able
The Verb SystemPossibility & Deduction (may/might/must)
An "accepted" meeting invite nobody's shown up to — how may, might, and must carry your best guess
The Verb SystemPossibility & Deduction (may/might/must)
"I might come over" — one word, and yet it changes exactly how sure you sound
The Verb SystemObligation & Advice (must/have to/should)
"You must get this done tonight" lands harder than "you should" — obligation, advice, and the gap between them