Mood Infixes

[Frakrr Tswerayon]

Is one required to use a mood infix in a verb?  What if I am feeling neutral about performing an action, or do not wish to convey mood?  Am I still forced to use <ei> or <äng>?

Thanks,
Frakrr

[Sireayä mokri]

No, all second position infixes (including mood infixes) are always optional.

[Carborundum]

Spoiler: grammar nitpick

<ei> and <äng> do not mark mood, but affect. <iv> is the only infix that marks mood.

That said, SM is correct in that they are optional. <ei> and <äng> are very rarely used outside of set phrases like oel ngati kameie. They aren't even used in phrases like I love you.
However, in verbs that otherwise carry negative/positive connotations, such as vrrìn and sulìn, the affects can be used to change the tone of the verb into the opposite.

His work is still completely overwhelming him (and I'm glad).
Peyä tìkangkemìl mi veykrreiyìn pot nìwotx

[wm.annis]

To clarify Carborundum's point, in technical linguistics terminology "mood" means something very specific.  So, even if it makes sense in plain English to call ‹ei› a mood infix, it can cause confusion when discussing grammar.

[Frakrr Tswerayon]

Thank you for the clarification.