Mood is that form or modification of the Verb which marks the mode in which an action is viewed or stated.

There are 5 moods in Spanish: one the Infinitive and 4 Finite, viz., the Indicative, Conditional, Subjunctive, and Imperative.

The Infinitive Mood (Modo Infinitivo) represents the action or state of being without any reference to time or person. The present and past participles are parts of the Infinitive Mood.

The Infinitive Mood may be used in the capacity of a noun either as Subject or Object of the sentence. It is then generally (but not necessarily) accompanied by the def. article, as:

• El leer es útil.
  To read is useful.
• Me es necesario el leer.
  It is necessary for me to read.

The form of the Pres. Part. used in this capacity in English is inadmissible in Spanish, e.g., we could never say "leyendo" for "el leer" (or "la lectura").

The Infinitive Mood preceded by "á" may have a passive meaning, as:

• Una consignación á hacer or also á hacerse (á ser hecha).
  A shipment to be made.

The Infinitive Mood preceded by "á" may be used instead of the Finite Mood introduced by "if," as:

• Á saber yo que V. era accionista de aquella compañía, le habría comunicado luego aquella relación.
  If I had known (or had I known) that you were a shareholder in that society, I would have sent you at once that report.

The Present Participle after "to be" is used in both languages to form the continuous or progressive tenses; in Spanish this happens much less frequently than in English, and only with verbs whose action implies duration of time and besides when it is spoken of as actually in progress. This form is never possible with the verb "to go," and is very rarely found with "to come," as:

• Miro aquellas Mantas y Terlices que me gustan.
  I am looking at those Blankets and Tickings which I like.
• Grita.
  He is shouting.
• Nos escribe continuamente.
  He is continually writing us.
• Hoy como con el arquitecto.
  To-day I am dining with the architect.
• Estoy haciendo mi correspondencia, no puedo dejar el despacho.
  I am writing my correspondence, I cannot leave the office.

A Preposition before a Pres. Part. is either translated by a preposition followed by the Infinitive Mood or by the Pres. Part. without a Preposition, as:

• Al ir (or yendo) á la Bolsa; On going to the Exchange.

• En acabando saldré.
  As soon as I have finished, I shall go out.

"I, acting as trustee," is translated "Yo, procediendo como síndico"; but "I wrote to the party acting as umpire" would be "Escribí á la persona que funcionaba (not funcionando) de árbitro."

After "Intentar,"[1] "Ver," "Oir," "Sentir," and "Simular" the Infinitive only can be used in Spanish, as:

• Intento (or pienso) hipotecar la casa.
  I intend mortgaging the house.
• Le veo pasar.
  I see him passing.
• "My coming," "my going," etc., are translated: "El venir or el haber venido yo," etc.]

The Past Part. may be used in an absolute manner, as:

• Entregada la carta se fué.
  The letter (being) delivered, he went.
• Sellados los sobres, los echó al correo.
  Having sealed the envelopes he posted them.