(i) Person: the verb form indicating the grammatical person (first, second, third) of the subject of the sentence: I am here. You are there. He is everywhere. (ii) Number: the verb form indicating the grammatical number (singular, plural) of the subject of the sentence: He stands here. They stand there. Note: the verb agrees with the grammatical subject in person and number. (iii) Tense: the verb form indicating various times (past, present, future) at which the action is perceived as taking place: He stood. He stands. He will stand. (iv) Aspect: the verb form expressing the activity as: (a) Indefinite: the degree of completeness of the action is not specified, (b) Continuous: the action is not yet complete but still continuing, (c) Perfect: the action is in a completed or perfect state, (d) Perfect Continuous: combining the force of the previous two. These four are shown in order, in the past, present, and future respectively: He stood. He was standing. He had stood. He had been standing. He stands. He is standing. He has stood. He has been standing. He will stand. He will be standing. He will have stood. He will have been standing. (v) Mood: the verb form indicating an (emotional) quality or manner of the activity, There are three basic moods: (a) Indicative: asserts a statement as a fact; it may also express a condition or question: He stands. If he stands . . . Did he stand ? (b) Imperative: expresses a command, advice, or entreaty: Go ! Follow the instruction of your teacher. Help me! (c) Subjunctive: expresses an action, not as a fact, but as a condition, desire, or purpose: Were he here . . . May you live long. He eats that he may live. (vi) Voice: the verb form indicating the relation of the subject to the activity as: (a) Active: e.g. He opened the door. (b) Passive: e.g. The door was opened by him. Continued overleaf
