READ OUR ARTICLES
LISTEN TO OUR PODCASTS
WATCH OUR VIDEOS
-
The subjunctive is rare in modern English but very common in French!
-
que does not mean the verb following it will necessarily be in the subjunctive!
-
You will need the subjunctive after specific verbs and impersonal phrases such as il faut que [it is necessary that].
-
When you have two sentences and two subjects, you are likely to use the subjunctive, when the subject in the first clause is having a thought, emotion, wish, desire, or request on the subject in the second clause. For instance, Je [I] in the last example below, have some desire Je voudrais (I would like) on the subject of the second clause tu [you]: the desire being that “you come with us.”
Il faut que je fasse des courses.
I have to do some grocery shopping. [impersonal verb]
Je ne pense pas qu’il ait une voiture.
I don’t think he has a car. [thought]
J’ai peur qu’elle soit déjà partie.
I’m afraid she’s already gone. [emotion]
Je voudrais que tu viennes avec nous.
I would like you to come with us. [desire]
When to use the subjunctive in French
The subjunctive is one of four moods in French. For a refresher on each of these moods, head to “Unpacking the grammar” at the bottom of this article. You will need the subjunctive (generally, the present subjunctive) after a few expressions to be learned by heart, after an adjective, after verbs expressing emotions, judgments, volition and doubt, and after a negative thought. Here, I’ll give you the most used expressions and verbs you are likely to hear or use. Please make sure you read Part 2 to see how the subjunctive is formed!
Expressions to learn by heart
Il faut que je parte !
I must go.
C’est dommage qu’il pleuve.
It’s a shame it’s raining.
Fais-le avant qu’il ne soit trop tard.
Do it before it is too late.
|
avant que + subjunctive However, French speakers love the subjunctive so much they will use it 90 percent of the time after après que. So just use whatever you want! Il est parti après que je suis arrivée |
IMPORTANT Adjective + subjunctive: the straightforward rule
If you see an adjective, after être [to be] or trouver [to find, to consider], use the subjunctive.
Je suis contente que tu sois là.
I’m glad you’re here.
C’est bizarre qu’il soit parti.
It is weird he left.
Il trouve génial que tu vives dans une péniche.
He finds it awesome you live on a boat.
|
An adjective expressing a certainty calls for the indicative. Il est certain qu’ils sont d’accord. It is certain they agree. |
Exception! Verbs expressing emotions, judgements, volition, doubt
*And other persons, like tu aurais voulu / Il aurait aimé / nous aurions préféré
J’ai peur qu’il pleuve.
I’m afraid it’s going to rain.
Il veut que nous mangions ensemble.
He wants us all to eat together.
J’aurais préféré que tu viennes avec nous.
I would have preferred that you came with us.
After the negation of verbs expressing thoughts
Je pense qu’il est canadien, je ne pense pas qu’il soit américain.
I think he is Canadian, I don’t think he’s American.
|
If the first part of the sentence is in the future or past tense, you’ll still use the subjunctive present. Pretty good news, isn’t it?! Il faut qu’il vienne. PAST : Il fallait qu’il vienne. / Il a fallu qu’il vienne. FUTURE : Il faudra qu’il vienne. / Il va falloir qu’il vienne. |
→ Check this website for more exhaustive lists and this one to practice!
Tips to avoid the subjunctive!
If the subjunctive is daunting or if you happen to forget the conjugation of an irregular verb, keep in mind there are ways around it!
‘Devoir’ as a useful alternative
Devoir [must, have to] is a way around the subjunctive, but it could sound a bit blunt.
Il faut que tu partes. ⇔ Tu dois partir.
You must leave.
The imperative
Il faut que tu fermes la porte ⇔ Ferme la porte à clef !
Lock the door!
The infinitive
This is not a bad option, but it is more impersonal.
Il est important de suivre les actualités.
It is important to follow the news.
Cunning replacements to avoid the subjunctive
IN BRIEF: 3 tips to tackle French Subjunctive once and for all!
|
1. Learn a few expressions which call for the subjunctive such as il faut que. 2. Ask yourself:
3. Learn the subjunctive of the 7 irregular verbs: “Il faut que je sois - que j’aie - que j’aille - que je veuille - que je fasse - que je sache - que je puisse.” |
|
Unpacking the grammar There are four moods in French conjugation. 1. The first one you learn is the indicative to express objective facts. Tu viens avec nous. 2. You then usually learn the imperative to give orders. Viens avec nous ! 3. When you become comfortable juggling with conjugation, you are introduced to the conditional to express hypothetical ideas. Tu viendrais avec nous si.... 4. … and finally the subjunctive! Il faut que tu viennes avec nous. |
Adventures in Language, from Mango Languages, is the best place online if you want to elevate your knowledge of linguistics and your proficiency at language learning and teaching. This wealth of knowledge is just a couple clicks away.
Comments