The Subjunctive Flashcards
When do we use the subjunctive?
When it is not objective
Verbs of wishing, preferring, suggesting and verbs of emotion like fearing, being glad, sorry etc are followed by the subjunctive in the que clause
What is espérer followed by?
Followed by indicative in affirmative sentences, otherwise subjunctive
What about verbs of advising, commanding, permitting, preventing and requesting?
May be followed by subjunctive clause but usually flowed by de + infinitive
English: want + object + infinitive
French: vouloir que + subjunctive
Georges veut que je fasse tout moi-même
George wants me to do everything myself
Je veux que tu parles tout de suite
When do we use the present subjunctive?
If an action in the subordinate clause takes place at the same time or after the action in the main clause
When do we use the past subjunctive ?
When the subordinate action happens before the main clause action
How do you form the past subjunctive?
Subjunctive of avoir or être and the past participle
When can we use the present infinite instead?
When the main clause and the subordinate clause have the same subjects
Verbs of wishing are followed directly by the infinitive
Verbs of emotion require de before the infinitive
Il est certain
Indicative
Il est Clair
Indicative
Il est évident
Indicative
Il est exact
Indicative
Il est probable
Indicative
Il est sûr
Indicative
Il est vrai
Indicative
Il me semble
Indicative
Il est bien
Subjunctive
Il est bon
Subjunctive
Il est douteux
Subjunctive
Il est étonnant
Subjunctive
Il est préférable
Subjunctive
Il est peu probable
Subjunctive
Il est rare
Subjunctive
Il est temps
Subjunctive
Il est étrange
Subjunctive
Il est important
Subjunctive
Il est impossible
Subjunctive
Il est juste
Subjunctive
Il est naturel
Subjunctive
Il est nécessaire
Subjunctive
Il est possible
Subjunctive
Il faut
Subjunctive
Il importe
Subjunctive
Il se peut
Subjunctive
Il semble
Subjunctive
Il suffit
Subjunctive
Il vaut mieux
Subjunctive
What about verbs of thinking and believing?
Affirmative forms are followed by the indicative
Afin que
In order that, so that
Subjunctive
Pour que
In order that, so that
Subjunctive
Bien que
Although
Subjunctive
Quoique
Although
Subjunctive
Pourvu que
Provided that
Subjunctive
À condition que
Provided that
Subjunctive
À moins que
Unless
Subjunctive
Sans que
Without
Subjunctive
Avant que
Before
Subjunctive
Jusqu’à ce que
Until
Subjunctive
When sub and main clause have the same subject what conjunctions can you use?
Can use infinitive with
À moins de Afin de Pour Avant de Sans
EXCEPTIONS
bien que, quoique, pourvu que, jusqu’à ce que
What about with superlatives or adjectives such as premier, dernier or seul?
Use indicative if the speaker wants to state objective fact
Use subjunctive if the speaker has an element of doubt or personal opinion
Whoever
Qui que
Whoever, whatever
Quel que
Whatever
Quoi que
However + adjective
Si + Adjective + que
When do we use the indicative?
Concerns objective fact
