Subjonctif Part I: Usage

CONTENT
  1. Usage of the Subjonctif
  2. Conjunctions With Que and the Subjonctif
  3. Subjonctif with Être + Adjective
  4. Subjonctif with Interdictions or Demands
  5. Subjonctif with Wishes and Desires
  6. Subjonctif with Unpersonal Expression

Usage of the Subjonctif

Rule 1: The subjunctif is not a tense, but a grammatical mood that is very common in French. It is used to indicate the subjectivity of a sentence and it usually automatically follows certain verbs and phrases starting with "que" that express a certain opinion of the speaker.

Native

Translation

J'aimerais que tu viennes.

I would like you to come.

Rule 2: Subjonctif exists in two tenses: present and past. The past tense of the subjunctif is used when the verb in the main clause is in the past or if the action in the subjunctive clause happened before the action in the main clause.

Native

Translation

C'était important pour moi qu'il ait pu rentrer à la maison.

It was important to me that he could come home.

Conjunctions With Que and the Subjonctif

Rule 3: Certain conjunctions with que are also followed by the subjonctif.

Native

Translation

Louis a acheté un téléphone sans que sa mère le sache.

Louis bought a phone without his mother knowing.

Here are several conjunctions with que you might want to memorize:

pour que in order that
sans que without that
jusqu'à ce que until
de sorte que so that
bien que although
avant que before

Note: Be careful, not all conjunctions with que are followed by the subjonctif - they can be used in the indicatif mood.

Subjonctif with Être + Adjective

Rule 4: The subjonctif also follows after expressions with être + adjective that express feelings and opinions, such as the following:

Être déçu que Be disappointed that
Être désolé que Be sorry that
Être surpris que Be surprised that
Être content que Be happy that
Être triste que Be sad that

Native

Translation

Je suis contente que le cours soit terminé.

I'm happy that the lessons are over.

Subjonctif with Interdictions or Demands

Rule 5: In subordinate clauses, the subjonctif is used with verbs that express interdictions or demands, such as the following:

Interdire que To forbid
Exiger que To demand
Ordonner que To order
Permettre que To permit

Native

Translation

J'interdis qu'elle vienne.

I forbid that she comes.

Be careful, décider que (to hope) is not followed by the subjonctif, but often by futur simple.

Subjonctif with Wishes and Desires

Rule 6: In subordinate clauses, the subjonctif is used with verbs that express wishes or desires. Here is a list of the most common verbs:

Vouloir que To want
Aimer que To like
Attendre que To expect
Avoir envie que To feel like doing something
Demander que To demand
Souhaiter que To wish
Préférer que To prefer

Native

Translation

Je veux que tu ailles à l’école.

I want you to go to school.

Be careful, espérer que (to hope) is not followed by the subjonctif, but often by futur simple.

Subjonctif with Unpersonal Expression

Rule 7: The subjonctif is also used after general expressions, such as the following:

Il faut que It's required that
Il est temps que It's time that
Il est possible que It's possible that
Il est nécessaire que It's necessary that
Il est important que It's important that
Il est dommage que It's a pity that

Native

Translation

Il est important qu'on apprenne le subjonctif.

It's important that we learn the subjonctif.

Exception: Please note that the subjonctif isn't used after all general expressions with "que".

Native

Translation

Il est vrai que Claire ne viendra pas.

It's true that Claire won't come.

Hint: The regular form of the verb is used if an event is almost certain. The subjonctif is used, if something is only possible.

Quiz

1/4

Je m'attends à ce que vous ___ vos devoirs la prochaine fois.

0

correct answers.