Subjunctive For Intermediate learners
What Is the Subjunctive Mood (Le subjonctif) in French?
The subjunctive mood (le subjonctif) is used when the speaker does not present something as a fact. It is used to express feelings, wishes, doubts, opinions, or necessity. The speaker is not saying that the action is true, but how they feel about it.
Unlike the indicative, which states what is or happens, the subjunctive reflects how the speaker feels about an action, judges it, or reacts to it.
When Is the Subjunctive Mood Used?
The subjunctive is usually used after certain verbs and expressions. These expressions show emotion, desire, doubt, or necessity. It almost always appears in subordinate clauses, introduced by que.
Subjunctive after Expressions of Will or Desire
The subjunctive is required when the main clause expresses what someone wants, wishes, orders, or prefers, because the action is not a fact but a desired outcome.
Common verbs and expressions:
vouloir que, souhaiter que, aimer que, préférer que, demander que, ordonner que
Je veux que tu viennes.
I want you to come.
Elle préfÚre que nous restions ici.
She prefers us to stay here.
Subjunctive after Expressions of Emotion
When the main clause expresses an emotion or feeling, the subjunctive is used because emotions are subjective reactions.
Common expressions:
ĂȘtre content(e) que, ĂȘtre triste que, ĂȘtre surpris(e) que, avoir peur que, regretter que
Je suis content que tu sois lĂ .
I am happy that you are here.
Elle a peur qu'il parte.
She is afraid that he will leave.
Subjunctive after Expressions of Doubt, Uncertainty, or Denial
The subjunctive is used when the speaker questions the reality of an action or denies it.
Common expressions:
douter que, ne pas croire que, ne pas penser que, il est possible que, il est peu probable que
Je doute qu'il comprenne.
I doubt that he understands.
Il n'est pas certain qu'elle réussisse.
It is not certain that she will succeed.
Important contrast
Je crois qu'il vient. (indicative: I believe it is true)
Je ne crois pas qu'il vienne. (subjunctive: uncertainty)
Subjunctive after Expressions of Necessity, Obligation, or Judgment
The subjunctive is used after impersonal expressions that express necessity, importance, or a value judgment.
Common expressions:
il faut que, il est nécessaire que, il est important que, il est normal que, il est dommage que
Il faut que tu Ă©tudies.
You must study.
l est important que nous soyons prĂȘts.
It is important that we be ready.
Subjunctive after Certain Conjunctions
Some conjunctions automatically require the subjunctive because they introduce purpose, condition, opposition, or fear.
Common conjunctions:
pour que, afin que, bien que, quoique, avant que, sans que, Ă moins que
Je parle doucement pour que tu comprennes.
I speak softly so that you understand.
Bien qu'il soit fatigué, il continue
Although he is tired, he continues.
Present Subjunctive
The present subjunctive is used when the subordinate action is simultaneous with or follows the action of the main clause, regardless of whether it refers to present or future time.
Regular Formation
The present subjunctive is formed from the third person plural (ils/elles) of the present indicative.
Take the ils/elles form of the present indicative
Remove -ent
Add the subjunctive endings
The endings are:
Person | Ending |
|---|---|
je | -e |
tu | -es |
il / elle / on | -e |
nous | -ions |
vous | -iez |
ils / elles | -ent |
Here is the example of parler:
que je parle
que tu parles
qu'il parle
que nous parlions
que vous parliez
qu'ils parlent
Irregular Verbs
Some very common verbs have irregular subjunctive forms.
Verb | Subjunctive form |
|---|---|
ĂȘtre | que je sois |
avoir | que j'aie |
aller | que j'aille |
faire | que je fasse |
pouvoir | que je puisse |
vouloir | que je veuille |
savoir | que je sache |
venir | que je vienne |
prendre | que je prenne |
Past Subjunctive
The past subjunctive is used when the action in the subordinate clause (que clause) happened before the action of the main clause, but the speaker still expresses emotion, doubt, or judgment about it.
Uses
This tense is typically used to express emotions, judgments, or doubts about a completed past action.
Je suis content qu'elle ait réussi.
I am happy that she succeeded.
Je regrette qu'il soit parti.
I regret that he left.
Formation
The past subjunctive is a compound tense, built in the same way as the passé composé, but using the subjunctive present of the auxiliary.
Structure:
que + subject + avoir / ĂȘtre (present sunjunctive) + past participle
qu'elle ait compris
that she has understood
que nous soyons arrivés
that we arrived
Agreement rules
With ĂȘtre, the past participle agrees with the subject
Reflexive verbs follow the same agreement rules as in the passé composé
Indicative vs Subjunctive
Understanding when not to use the subjunctive is just as important as knowing when to use it.
Mood | Meaning |
|---|---|
indicative | fact, certainty, reality |
subjunctive | doubt, desire, emotion, judgment |
Il est sûr qu'elle vient. (fact)
He is sure that she is coming.
indicative
Il n'est pas sûr qu'elle vienne. (uncertainty)
He is not certain that she'll come.
subjunctive
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