Le Subjonctif Présent Flashcards
How is le subjonctif présent constructed?
Present-tense verb stem of the 3rd person plural and the endings -e, -es, -e, -ions, -iez, -ent.
Note:
- Most -ir verbs are conjugated like finir. Here we add an -iss- to the word stem in the plural forms.
- Most -ir verbs that are not conjugated like finir, are conjugated like dormir. We don’t add -iss- to form the plural.
What is le subjonctif présent used to express?
Emphasizes the subjectivity of a sentence. Expresses possibilities, hypotheses, feelings, thoughts, wishes, doubts, uncertainty, or advice.
Use le subjonctif after “il faut que”.
Il faut qu’elle reste concentrée et professionnelle.
She must remain focused and professional.
Use le subjonctif after the following conjunctions with “que”:
* avant que (before)
* jusqu’à ce que (until)
* pour que (in order to)
* afin que (in order to)
* bien que (although)
* quoique (although)
* à condition que (on the condition that)
* pourvu que (let’s hope that)
* sans que (without)
Elle fait en sorte que chaque émission soit un succès, bien qu’elle sache que des imprévus peuvent survenir à tout moment.
Exception: “après que” (after)
She makes sure that every show is a success, although she knows that the unexpected can occur at any moment.
Use le subjonctif after verbs that express a doubt, fear, wish, permission, request, order etc.:
Elle craint que l’audience ne soit déçue si tout ne se passe comme prévu.
- express a desire: souhaiter (to wish), désirer (to wish), vouloir (to want), se plaindre (to complain), aimer (to like)
- express an emotion: avoir peur (to fear), craindre (to fear), avoir honte (to be ashamed), redouter (to dread), regretter (to regret), déplorer (to regret), être désolé (to be sorry)
- express a request or command: ordonner (to order), exiger (to demand), supplier (to beg), demander (to ask), interdire (to forbid), permettre (to allow)
Exceptions: ésperer (to hope) and décider (to decide)
She fears that the audience will be disappointed if everything does not go according to plan.
Use le subjonctif after negated verbs of opinion:
Tu ne penses pas que Juliette** soit** une bonne présentatrice.
- affirmer (to confirm)
- croire (to believe)
- dire (to say)
- être d’avis de (to be of the opinion that)
- penser (to think)
- trouver (to find that something is [e.g. odd,]), etc.
You don’t think that Juliette is a good presenter.
Use le subjonctif with certain other verbs and expressions that must be learned by heart.
Il est important qu’elle reste concentrée et professionnelle, même si elle a parfois très envie de rire.
See this list.
It is important that she remains focused and professional, even when she really wants to laugh sometimes.
Je veux que j’ajoute un peu plus de sel à la soupe.
I want to add a little more salt to the soup. (ajouter)
ajouter: to add; to include something extra or to increase a quantity.
Il faut que tu enrayes ce problème avant qu’il empire.
You (inf.) have to put an end to this problem before it gets worse. (enrayer)
enrayer: to stop, to halt, to curb; to prevent something from spreading or worsening (often used for problems, diseases, or mechanical issues).
J’espère qu’il lance enfin son projet cette année.
I hope he finally launches his project this year. (lancer)
lancer: to throw, to launch; can mean physically throwing something or metaphorically launching a project, idea, or business (or a glance).
Il est temps que nous osions dire ce qu’on pense.
It’s time for us to dare to say what we think. (oser)
oser: to dare; to have the courage to do something risky or unconventional.
J’aimerais que vous recaliez cet étudiant s’il ne fait aucun effort.
I would like you to fail that student if he doesn’t make any effort. (recaler)
recaler: to fail (someone), to reject; often used in the context of failing a test or rejecting a candidate.
Il faut qu’elles** interviewent** les candidats avant de prendre une décision.
They need to interview the candidates before making a decision.(interviewer)
interviewer: to interview
Je doute que ce poste me messoie* vraiment.
defective verb*
I doubt this job really suits me. (messeoir)
messeoir: to be unsuitable; to be unwanted; to be inappropriate for (it is a defective verb, only conjugated in the third person)
Note: “Messeoir” is very archaic and literary. In casual conversation, one is more likely to hear:
- “mal aller” (to not go well)
- ne pas convenir (to not be suitable)
J’aimerais que tu parcours le document avant de l’envoyer.
I’d like you to go through the document before sending it. (parcourir)
parcourir: to go through, to browse, to travel across; can refer to reading quickly, covering a distance, or scanning something.
Il est essentiel que cette idée seoie* bien adaptée à notre réalité.
*defective verb?
It is essential that this idea is well adapted to our reality. (seoir)
seoir: to suit; to be appropriate
Note: “Seoir” is archaic and formal. In casual conversation, one is more likely to hear:
- convenir (to suit)
- fitter (to fit; very informal; used in Quebec French)
Je veux que nous nous tapissions ici jusqu’à ce que ça se calme.
I want us to hide here until things calm down. (tapir)
tapir: to crouch, to hide, to lurk; often used reflexively (se tapir) to describe someone hiding or staying low.
Il vaut mieux que vous subvertissiez discrètement le système.
It is better if you subvert the system quietly. (subvertir)
subvertir: to subvert, to undermine
Note: “subvertir” is somewhat formal and literary. In casual conversation, one is more likely to hear:
- contourner (to get around) – if talking about rules and restrictions
- déjouer (to outsmart, thwart) – if talking about plans or security
- saboter (to sabotage) – if the intent is destructive
Il est important qu’ils entretiennent leur relation s’ils veulent que ça dure.
It is important that they maintain their relationship if they want it to last. (entretenir)
entretenir: to maintain, to sustain, to have a conversation; can refer to taking care of something, keeping up a relationship, or engaging in discussion.
Je ne crois pas que j’étende mes recherches aussi loin.
I don’t think I’ll extend my research that far. (étendre)
étendre: to spread, to extend, to stretch out; used for spreading substances, extending something physically, or stretching.
Il faut que tu complaises à tes clients pour garder une bonne réputation.
You need to please your customers to maintain a good reputation. (complaire à)
complaire à: to please, to accommodate, to cater to
Note: complaire à is formal and literary. In casual conversation, one is more likely to hear:
- “faire plaisir à” (focuses on bringing joy or satisfaction to someone rather than just complying with their wishes) – most natural and widely used option
- “céder à” (To give in to, to yield to) – suggests reluctantly agreeing to something, often because of pressure or insistence; can carry a slightly negative connotation, implying that someone is being too demanding.
- “s’adapter à” (To adapt to, to adjust to) – works well when “complaire à” means accommodating someone’s preferences or fitting into a situation; less about pleasing and more about making necessary changes to align with someone’s needs.
- “faire comme il veut / Aller dans son sens” (to do as they want / to go along with them)
Je crains qu’elle fende la bûche en morceaux trop petits.
I’m afraid she’ll split the log into pieces that are too small. (fendre)
fendre: to split, to crack; to break something apart, often with force, like wood or a surface.
Il faut que nous enduisions le gâteau de glaçage avant de le servir.
We have to coat the cake with icing before serving it. (enduire)
enduire: to coat; to cover with a substance
Note: “enduire” is quite formal, more common in written language. In casual conversation, one is more likely to hear:
- mettre (to put on) – the most general
- étendre (to spread) – often used for butter, jam, or a layer of something
- badigeonner (to brush on) – for painting or basting something
J’exige que vous dissolviez ce contrat immédiatement.
I demand that you dissolve this contract immediately. (dissoudre)
dissoudre: to dissolve (a substance; an assembly)
Note: “Dissoudre” is more often used in scientific or very technical contexts. In casual conversation, one is more likely to hear:
- défaire (to undo)
- faire disparaître (to make disappear)
J’espère qu’ils tendent la main aux nouveaux employés pour les aider.
I hope they reach out to new employees to help them. (tendre)
tendre: to stretch, to extend, to tighten, to offer; can mean stretching something (like a rope), holding something out (like a hand), or making something tense.
