moodparticipial

Moodparticipial is a theoretical term used in linguistics to refer to the use of a participial, non-finite verb form to convey mood in a clause. In this framework, a participial form—such as a present or past participle—carries modality beyond its typical aspectual or temporal function. The mood encoded can include irrealis, optative, hortative, or concessive meanings, among others. The mood information is attached to a non-finite clause, which then attaches to a main clause either as a modifier or as a subordinate complement. This concept is distinct from finite mood markings, which rely on finite verbs in the main clause.

In practice, a moodparticipial construction might involve a participial clause that sets the speaker’s attitude toward the proposition of the main clause. For example:

- Wishing to help, she offered her assistance.

- Believing the road would be closed, they stayed home.

These examples show how the participial clause functions as a source of mood rather than a tense or aspect marker. The study of moodparticipials is primarily theoretical and is not widely attested as a conventional category in widely used grammars. It overlaps with discussions of participial clauses, non-finite clauses, and the expression of mood in languages that use non-finite morphology to signal modality.

The term is sometimes used descriptively to discuss how languages encode mood through non-finite forms, but it is not standard across grammars. See also: participial clause, non-finite clause, mood, irrealis, optative, subjunctive.