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French Grammar > The present subjunctive mood > Flashcards

The present subjunctive mood Flashcards

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1
Q

How is the subjunctive described?

Which word introduces the subjunctive?

What is the subjunctive used to express? Give 7 things.

A

As a ‘mood’, not a tense.

‘que’, meaning ‘that’

  1. Want / willing -> ‘J’espère que…’
  2. Emotion -> ‘J’ai peur que…’
  3. Doubt -> ‘Je doute que…’
  4. Possibility -> ‘Peut être que…’
  5. Necessity -> ‘Il faut que…’
  6. Judgement -> ‘Je ne crois pas que…’
  7. Advice -> ‘Il est normal que…’
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2
Q

For regular verbs, how do you form the subjunctive? Give 3 steps.

A
  1. Take the ‘ils’ form of the present tense
  2. Lose the -ent
  3. Add the subjunctive endings
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3
Q

What is the subjunctive ending for ‘je’?

A

-e

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4
Q

What is the subjunctive ending for ‘tu’?

A

-es

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5
Q

What is the subjunctive ending for ‘il / elle / on’?

A

-e

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6
Q

What is the subjunctive ending for ‘nous’?

A

-ions

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7
Q

What is the subjunctive ending for ‘vous’?

A

-iez

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8
Q

What is the subjunctive ending for ‘ils / elles’?

A

-ent

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9
Q

Some verbs are irregular and have their own stems in the subjunctive. Which common verbs have their own stems?

Hint: AAEFPPSV

A 
aller
avoir
être
faire
pouvoir
prendre
savoir
vouloir
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10
Q

What is the subjunctive stem of ‘aller’?

Translate the following (in the subjunctive), N.B. nous and vous are slightly different to the others:

I go
You (informal) go
She goes
We (formal) go
You (plural) go
They (male) go
A

aill-

J'aille
Tu ailles
Elles aille
Nous allions
Vous alliez
Ils aillent
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11
Q

What is the subjunctive stem of ‘avoir’?

Translate the following (in the subjunctive), N.B. il / elle / on, nous and vous are slightly different to the others:

I have
You (informal) have
She has
We (formal) have
You (plural) have
They (male) have
A

aie-

J'aie
Tu aies
Elle ait
Nous ayons
Vous ayez
Ils aient
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12
Q

What is the subjunctive stem of ‘être’?

Translate the following (in the subjunctive), N.B. none of them follow the traditional stem + ending pattern, each pronoun is slightly different (just need to memorise it).

I am
You (informal) are
She is
We (formal) are
You (plural) are
They (male) are
A

soi-

Je sois
Tu sois
Il soit
Nous soyons
Vous soyez
Ils soient
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13
Q

What is the subjunctive stem of ‘faire’?

Translate the following (in the subjunctive):

I do
You (informal) do
She does
We (formal) do
You (plural) do
They (male) do
A

fass-

Je fasse
Tu fasses
Elle fasse
Nous fassions
Vous fassiez
Ils fassent
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14
Q

What is the subjunctive stem of ‘pouvoir’?

Translate the following (in the subjunctive):

I can
You (informal) can
She can
We (formal) can
You (plural) can
They (male) can
A

puiss-

Je puisse
Tu puisses
Elle puisse
Nous puissions
Vous puissiez
Ils puissent
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15
Q

What is the subjunctive stem of ‘savoir’?

Translate the following (in the subjunctive):

I know
You (informal) know
She knows
We (formal) know
You (plural) know
They (male) know
A

sach-

Je sache
Tu saches
Elle sache
Nous sachions
Vous sachiez
Ils sachent
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16
Q

What is the subjunctive stem of ‘vouloir’?

Translate the following (in the subjunctive), N.B. nous and vous are slightly different to the others:

I want
You (informal) want
She wants
We (formal) want
You (plural) want
They (male) want
A

veuill-

Je veuille
Tu veuilles
Elle veuille
Nous voulions
Vous vouliez
Ils veuillent
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17
Q

Why is the subjunctive described as a mood?

A

Because it describes / expresses the subject’s attitude towards something

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18
Q

When is the subjunctive used? Give 3 instances.

A
  1. When there are at least two people (Person A doing an action and Person B expressing something about this action)
  2. An expression requesting that one particular person does something (versus everybody doing it)
  3. An expression that is specifically followed by the subjunctive (learn by heart)
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19
Q

What is the subjunctive stem of ‘prendre’?

Translate the following (in the subjunctive), N.B. nous and vous are slightly different to the others:

I take
You (informal) take
She takes
We (formal) take
You (plural) take
They (male) take
A

prenn-

Je prenne
Tu prennes
Elle prenne
Nous prenions
Vous preniez
Ils prennent
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20
Q

Translate ‘I want you (formal) to do the dishes’.

Is it subjunctive or indicative? Why?

A

Je veux que vous fassiez la vaisselle

It is subjunctive because there is more than one person involved (‘je’ and ‘vous’)

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21
Q

Translate ‘I want to do this dishes’

Is it subjunctive or indicative? Why?

A

Je veux faire la vaisselle

It is indicative because there is only one person involved (‘je’)

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22
Q

Translate ‘It is necessary that you (informal) do the dishes’.

Is it subjunctive or indicative? Why?

A

Il faut que tu fasses la vaisselle

It is subjunctive because the action applies specifically to ‘tu’ and not to everybody

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23
Q

Translate ‘It is necessary to do the dishes’.

Is it subjunctive or indicative? Why?

A

Il faut faire la vaisselle

It is indicative because this action is true for everybody

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24
Q

Translate ‘I am glad that you (informal) do the dishes’.

Is it subjunctive or indicative? Why?

A

Je suis contente que tu fasses la vaisselle

It is subjunctive because more than one person is involved (‘je’ and ‘tu’)

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25
Q

Translate ‘I am glad to do the dishes’.

Is it subjunctive or indicative? Why?

A

Je suis contente de faire la vaisselle

It is indicative because only one person is involved (‘je’)

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26
Q

In a sentence, if there is only one person doing the actions, you use the subjunctive. True or false?

A

False - you use the subjunctive when there is more than one person (one is doing the action and the others are expressing something about that action)

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27
Q

You use the subjunctive when you make a general statement concerning everybody. True or false?

A

False - you use the subjunctive to make a statement explicitly concerning the actions of a specific person

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28
Q

As well as emotion, the subjunctive is used to express chance. True or false?

A

True

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29
Q

If you know something for certain, you should use the subjunctive. True or false?

A

False, use the indicative instead

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30
Q

If you know there is absolutely zero chance of your wish becoming a reality, you use the indicative. True or false?

A

False, use the subjunctive

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31
Q

With regards to expressing chance, what’s the general rule for using the indicative vs. the subjunctive? Give 3 points.

A
  1. If you know for sure that something is a reality, use the indicative.
  2. If you are more than 70% sure of something becoming a reality, use the indicative.
  3. If you are 30% (or less) sure that something will become a reality, use the subjunctive.

Basically, the subjunctive is used to express things that are unlikely to / will probably never happen.

32
Q

Some expressions are always followed by the subjunctive.

What does ‘constater que’ mean?

Is it followed by the subjunctive or indicative?

Why?

A

To notice that

Indicative

Because the subject believes it to be true / a reality, which means we use the indicative.

33
Q

Some expressions are always followed by the subjunctive.

What does ‘souhaiter que’ mean?

Is it followed by the subjunctive or indicative?

Why?

A

To wish that

Subjunctive

Because the subject is expressing emotion / uncertainty

34
Q

Some expressions are always followed by the subjunctive.

What does ‘désirer que’ mean?

Is it followed by the subjunctive or indicative?

Why?

A

To desire that

Subjunctive

Because the subject is expressing emotion / uncertainty

35
Q

Some expressions are always followed by the subjunctive.

What does ‘suggérer que’ mean?

Is it followed by the subjunctive or indicative?

Why?

A

To suggest that

Subjunctive

Because the subject is expressing emotion / uncertainty

36
Q

Some expressions are always followed by the subjunctive.

What does ‘proposer que’ mean?

Is it followed by the subjunctive or indicative?

Why?

A

To propose that

Subjunctive

Because the subject is expressing emotion / uncertainty

37
Q

Some expressions are always followed by the subjunctive.

What does ‘observer que’ mean?

Is it followed by the subjunctive or indicative?

Why?

A

To observe that

Indicative

Because the subject believes it to be true / a reality, which means we use the indicative.

38
Q

Some expressions are always followed by the subjunctive.

What does ‘remarquer que’ mean?

Is it followed by the subjunctive or indicative?

Why?

A

To notice that

Indicative

Because the subject believes it to be true / a reality, which means we use the indicative.

39
Q

Some expressions are always followed by the subjunctive.

What does ‘conseiller que’ mean?

Is it followed by the subjunctive or indicative?

Why?

A

To advise that

Subjunctive

Because the subject is expressing emotion / uncertainty

40
Q

Some expressions are always followed by the subjunctive.

What does ‘aimer que’ mean?

Is it followed by the subjunctive or indicative?

Why?

A

To like that

Subjunctive

Because the subject is expressing emotion / uncertainty

41
Q

Some expressions are always followed by the subjunctive.

What does ‘préférer que’ mean?

Is it followed by the subjunctive or indicative?

Why?

A

To prefer that

Subjunctive

Because the subject is expressing emotion / uncertainty

42
Q

Some expressions are always followed by the subjunctive.

What does ‘détester que’ mean?

Is it followed by the subjunctive or indicative?

Why?

A

To hate that

Subjunctive

Because the subject is expressing emotion / uncertainty

43
Q

Some expressions are always followed by the subjunctive.

What does ‘savoir que’ mean?

Is it followed by the subjunctive or indicative?

Why?

A

To know that

Indicative

Because the subject believes it to be true / a reality, which means we use the indicative.

44
Q

Some expressions are always followed by the subjunctive.

What does ‘il est clair que’ mean?

Is it followed by the subjunctive or indicative?

Why?

A

It is clear that

Indicative

Because the subject believes it to be true / a reality, which means we use the indicative.

45
Q

Some expressions are always followed by the subjunctive.

What does ‘avoir peur / craindre que’ mean?

Is it followed by the subjunctive or indicative?

Why?

A

To have fear that

Subjunctive

Because the subject is expressing emotion / uncertainty

46
Q

Some expressions are always followed by the subjunctive.

What does ‘supposer que’ mean?

Is it followed by the subjunctive or indicative?

Why?

A

To assume that

Indicative

Because the subject believes it to be true / a reality, which means we use the indicative.

47
Q

Some expressions are always followed by the subjunctive.

What does ‘trouver que’ mean?

Is it followed by the subjunctive or indicative?

Why?

A

To find that

Indicative

Because the subject believes it to be true / a reality, which means we use the indicative.

48
Q

Some expressions are always followed by the subjunctive.

What does ‘redouter que’ mean?

Is it followed by the subjunctive or indicative?

Why?

A

To dread that

Subjunctive

Because the subject is expressing emotion / uncertainty

49
Q

Some expressions are always followed by the subjunctive.

What does ‘penser que’ mean?

Is it followed by the subjunctive or indicative?

Why?

A

To think that

Indicative

Because the subject believes it to be true / a reality, which means we use the indicative.

50
Q

Some expressions are always followed by the subjunctive.

What does ‘regretter que’ mean?

Is it followed by the subjunctive or indicative?

Why?

A

To regret that

Subjunctive

Because the subject is expressing emotion / uncertainty

51
Q

Some expressions are always followed by the subjunctive.

What does ‘être désolé que’ mean?

Is it followed by the subjunctive or indicative?

Why?

A

To be sorry that

Subjunctive

Because the subject is expressing emotion / uncertainty

52
Q

Some expressions are always followed by the subjunctive.

What does ‘il est certain que’ mean?

Is it followed by the subjunctive or indicative?

Why?

A

It is certain that

Indicative

Because the subject believes it to be true / a reality, which means we use the indicative.

53
Q

Some expressions are always followed by the subjunctive.

What does ‘vouloir que’ mean?

Is it followed by the subjunctive or indicative?

Why?

A

To want that

Subjunctive

Because the subject is expressing emotion / uncertainty

54
Q

Some expressions are always followed by the subjunctive.

What does ‘affirmer que’ mean?

Is it followed by the subjunctive or indicative?

Why?

A

To affirm that

Indicative

Because the subject believes it to be true / a reality, which means we use the indicative.

55
Q

Some expressions are always followed by the subjunctive.

What does ‘il sûr certain que’ mean?

Is it followed by the subjunctive or indicative?

Why?

A

It is sure that

Indicative

Because the subject believes it to be true / a reality, which means we use the indicative.

56
Q

Some expressions are always followed by the subjunctive.

What does ‘douter que’ mean?

Is it followed by the subjunctive or indicative?

Why?

A

To doubt that

Subjunctive

Because the subject is expressing emotion / uncertainty

57
Q

Some expressions are always followed by the subjunctive.

What does ‘croire que’ mean?

Is it followed by the subjunctive or indicative?

Why?

A

To believe that

Indicative

Because the subject believes it to be true / a reality, which means we use the indicative.

58
Q

Some expressions are always followed by the subjunctive.

What does ‘il faut que’ mean?

Is it followed by the subjunctive or indicative?

Why?

A

It is necessary that

Subjunctive

It is a phrase that is always followed by the subjunctive (so just need to memorise it)

59
Q

Some expressions are always followed by the subjunctive.

What does ‘il vaut mieux que’ mean?

Is it followed by the subjunctive or indicative?

Why?

A

It is better that…

Subjunctive

It is a phrase that is always followed by the subjunctive (so just need to memorise it)

60
Q

Some expressions are always followed by the subjunctive.

What does ‘déclarer que’ mean?

Is it followed by the subjunctive or indicative?

Why?

A

To declare that

Indicative

Because the subject believes it to be true / a reality, which means we use the indicative.

61
Q

Some expressions are always followed by the subjunctive.

What does ‘il est importante que’ mean?

Is it followed by the subjunctive or indicative?

Why?

A

It is important that

Subjunctive

It is a phrase that is always followed by the subjunctive (so just need to memorise it)

62
Q

Some expressions are always followed by the subjunctive.

What does ‘il est probable que’ mean?

Is it followed by the subjunctive or indicative?

Why?

A

It is likely that

Indicative

Because the subject believes it to be true / a reality, which means we use the indicative.

In this case, it’s ‘probably true’, so they are pretty certain

63
Q

Some expressions are always followed by the subjunctive.

What does ‘il est dommage que’ mean?

Is it followed by the subjunctive or indicative?

Why?

A

It’s a shame that

Subjunctive

It is a phrase that is always followed by the subjunctive (so just need to memorise it)

64
Q

Some expressions are always followed by the subjunctive.

What does ‘imaginer que’ mean?

Is it followed by the subjunctive or indicative?

Why?

A

To imagine that

Indicative

Because the subject believes it to be true / a reality, which means we use the indicative.

65
Q

Some expressions are always followed by the subjunctive.

What does ‘dire que’ mean?

Is it followed by the subjunctive or indicative?

Why?

A

To say that

Indicative

Because the subject believes it to be true / a reality, which means we use the indicative.

66
Q

Some expressions are always followed by the subjunctive.

What do the following mean?
‘pour que’
‘afin que’
‘de sorte que’

Are they followed by the subjunctive or indicative?

Why?

A

So that

Subjunctive

It is a phrase that is always followed by the subjunctive (so just need to memorise it)

67
Q

Some expressions are always followed by the subjunctive.

What does ‘avant que’ mean?

Is it followed by the subjunctive or indicative?

Why?

A

Beforehand

Subjunctive

It is a phrase that is always followed by the subjunctive (so just need to memorise it).

However, this is logical as it is expressing uncertainty - you don’t know beforehand.

68
Q

Some expressions are always followed by the subjunctive.

What does ‘bien que’ mean?

Is it followed by the subjunctive or indicative?

Why?

A

Although

Subjunctive

It is a phrase that is always followed by the subjunctive (so just need to memorise it)

69
Q

Some expressions are always followed by the subjunctive.

What does ‘à moins que’ mean?

Is it followed by the subjunctive or indicative?

Why?

A

Unless

Subjunctive

It is a phrase that is always followed by the subjunctive (so just need to memorise it)

70
Q

Some expressions are always followed by the subjunctive.

What does ‘pourvu que’ mean?

Is it followed by the subjunctive or indicative?

Why?

A

Provided that

Subjunctive

It is a phrase that is always followed by the subjunctive (so just need to memorise it)

71
Q

Some expressions are always followed by the subjunctive.

What does ‘espérer que’ mean?

Is it followed by the subjunctive or indicative?

Why?

A

To hope that

Indicative

Because the subject believes it to be true / a reality, which means we use the indicative.

72
Q

Some expressions are always followed by the subjunctive.

What do the following mean?
‘de peur que’
‘de crainte que’

Is it followed by the subjunctive or indicative?

Why?

A

Lest

Subjunctive

It is a phrase that is always followed by the subjunctive (so just need to memorise it)

73
Q

Some expressions are always followed by the subjunctive.

What does ‘à condition que’ mean?

Is it followed by the subjunctive or indicative?

Why?

A

On the condition that

Subjunctive

It is a phrase that is always followed by the subjunctive (so just need to memorise it)

74
Q

Some expressions are always followed by the subjunctive.

What does ‘en attendant que’ mean?

Is it followed by the subjunctive or indicative?

Why?

A

By waiting for

Subjunctive

It is a phrase that is always followed by the subjunctive (so just need to memorise it)

75
Q

Some expressions are always followed by the subjunctive.

What does ‘jusqu’à ce que’ mean?

Is it followed by the subjunctive or indicative?

Why?

A

Until

Subjunctive

It is a phrase that is always followed by the subjunctive (so just need to memorise it)

76
Q

Some expressions are always followed by the subjunctive.

What does ‘après que’ mean?

Is it followed by the subjunctive or indicative?

Why?

A

Afterwards

Indicative

Because we know it to be true after the event

77
Q

What are 3 ways to avoid using the subjunctive?

A
  1. Use a noun (instead of a verb, so you don’t need to conjugate the verb. For example, ‘departure’ instead of ‘to depart’)
  2. Make a general statement (instead of applying the action to one specific person)
  3. Find away around it (use two sentences if you have to)

French Grammar (13 decks)

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