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French- Our Words > The Subjunctive > Flashcards

The Subjunctive Flashcards

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1
Q

What does the subjunctive express

A

The subjunctive mood expresses the speaker’s feelings about an action or state of being. It often concerns necessity, importance, or a request. In English, for example:

Indicative

1a. ) She goes to work at eight.
2a. ) We are on time.

Subjunctive

1b. ) It’s necessary that she go to work at eight.
2b. ) They ask that we be on time.

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2
Q

Structure of the subjunctive?

A

In English, choosing the subjunctive creates a formal impression. But, in French, for certain well-defined grammatical contexts, the subjunctive must be used.

The French subjunctive most often appears in the second clause of a two-clause sentence. It is linked to the first clause by que/qu’ (that).
The verb in the main clause can be in the present, past, or future, while the verb in the second clause remains in the present subjunctive.

Principal Clause (indicative) + que/qu’ + Dependent Clause (subjunctive)
*Il faut (it’s necessary) + que (that) + tu fasses la vaisselle (you do the dishes)
  • Il fallait (It was necessary) + que (that) + tu fasses la vaisselle (you do the dishes)
  • Il est nécessair (It’s necessary) + qu’ (that) + il sorte plus (he go out more)
  • Il sera nécessaire (It will be necessary + qu’ (that) + il sorte plus (he go out more)
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3
Q

How do you conjugate the subjunctive?

A

For all but two verbs (être and avoir), drop the final -ent from the third- person plural form of the present indicative (ils/elles finissent), and add the subjunctive endings: -e, -es, -e, -ions, -iez, and -ent.
Irregular verbs use the same endings, but may have irregular stems in the present subjunctive. It is best to learn their forms individually or as small groups.

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4
Q

Subjunctive

Parler

A 
Que je parle
Que tu parles
Qu’il parle
Que nous parlions
Que vous parliez
Qu’ils parlent
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5
Q

Subjunctive

Finir

A 
Que je finisse
Que tu finisses
Qu’il finisse
Que nous finissions
Que vous finissiez
Qu’ils finissent
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6
Q

Subjunctive

Vendre

A 
Que je vende
Que tu vendes
Qu’il vende
Que nous vendions
Que vous vendiez
Qu’il vendent
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7
Q

Subjunctive

Dormir

A 
Que je dorme
Que tu dormes
Qu’il dorme
Que nous dormions
Que vous dormiez
Qu’ils dorment
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8
Q

What to do if the subjunctive resembles imparfait

A

Some subjunctive forms resemble the present indicative and the imparfait. Context will show if the verb is in the subjunctive. For example, look for a clause starting with que/qu’.

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9
Q

Irregular subjunctive
Indicative
•Ils
•Nous

Subjunctive
•Je
•Nous

Boire

A

Irregular subjunctive
Indicative
•Ils boivent
•Nous buvons

Subjunctive
•Que je boive
•Que nous buvions

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10
Q

Irregular subjunctive
Indicative
•Ils
•Nous

Subjunctive
•Je
•Nous

croire

A

Irregular subjunctive
Indicative
•Ils croient
•Nous croyons

Subjunctive
•Que je croie
•Nous croyiez

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11
Q

Irregular subjunctive
Indicative
•Ils
•Nous

Subjunctive
•Je
•Nous

Devoir

A

Irregular subjunctive
Indicative
•Ils doivent
•Nous devons

Subjunctive
•Que je doive
•Que nous devions

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12
Q

Irregular subjunctive
Indicative
•Ils
•Nous

Subjunctive
•Je
•Nous

Prendre

A

Irregular subjunctive
Indicative
•Ils prennent
•Nous prenons

Subjunctive
•Que je prenne
•Que nous preniez

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13
Q

Irregular subjunctive
Indicative
•Ils
•Nous

Subjunctive
•Je
•Nous

Recevoir

A

Irregular subjunctive
Indicative
•Ils reçoivent
•Nous recevons

Subjunctive
•Que je reçoive
•Que nous recevions

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14
Q

Irregular subjunctive
Indicative
•Ils
•Nous

Subjunctive
•Je
•Nous

Venir

A

Irregular subjunctive
Indicative
•Ils viennent
•Nous venons

Subjunctive
•Que je vienne
•Que nous veniez

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15
Q

Irregular subjunctive
Indicative
•Ils
•Nous

Subjunctive
•Je
•Nous

Voir

A

Irregular subjunctive
Indicative
•Ils voient
•Nous voyons

Subjunctive
•Que je voie
•Que nous voyions

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16
Q

Subjunctive

Faire

A 
Que je fasse
Que tu fasses
Qu’il fasse
Que nous fassions
Que vous fassiez
Qu’ils fassent
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17
Q

Subjunctive

Pouvoir

A 
Que je puisse
Que tu puisses
Que il puisse
Que nous puissions
Que vous puissiez
Qu’ils puissent
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18
Q

Subjunctive

Savoir

A 
Que je sache
Que tu saches
Que il sache
Que nous sachions
Que vous sachiez
Qu’ils sachent
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19
Q

Subjunctive

Être

A 
Que je sois
Que tu sois
Qu’il soit
Que nous soyons
Que vous soyez
Qu’ils soient
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20
Q

Subjunctive

Avoir

A 
Que j’aie
Que tu aies
Que il ait
Que nous ayons
Que vous ayez
Qu’ils aient
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21
Q

Subjunctive

Aller

A 
Que j’aille
Que tu ailles
Qu’il aille
Que nous allions
Que vous alliez
Qu’ils aillent
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22
Q

Subjunctive

Vouloir

A 
Que je veuille
Que tu veuilles
Qu’il veuille
Que nous voulions
Que vous vouliez
Qu’ils veuillent
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23
Q

When to use the subjective

A

The subjunctive occurs in dependent clauses after specific types of main clauses: expressions of necessity, opinion, emotion, possibility, and doubt, both impersonal and personal. The two clauses must have different subjects, with the impersonal il or a specific person in the first clause.

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24
Q

Subjunctive with expressions of necessity

It’s essential to/that

A

Il est essentiel de/que

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25
Q

Subjunctive with expressions of necessity

It’s important to/that

A

Il est important de/que

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26
Q

Subjunctive with expressions of necessity

It’s indispensable/crucial to/that

A

Il est indispensable de/que

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27
Q

Subjunctive with expressions of necessity

It’s necessary to/that

A

Il est nécessaire de/que

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28
Q

Subjunctive with expressions of necessity

It’s time to/that

A

Il est temps de/que

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29
Q

Subjunctive with expressions of necessity

It’s necessary to/that, one/you must

A

Il faut (que)

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30
Q

Subjunctive with expressions of necessity

You/one must not

A

Il ne faut pas (que)

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31
Q

Subjunctive with expressions of necessity

It’s better to/that

A

Il vaut mieux (que)

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32
Q

Difference between impersonal expressions of necessity and falloir and valoir?

A

Before an infinitive, impersonal expressions of necessity (il faut, il est nécessaire de, etc.) express a general obligation. Except for the verbs falloir and valoir, they all use the preposition de/d’ before an infinitive.

  • Il fallait arriver au bureau avant neuf heures. (We had to arrive at the office before nine o’clock)
  • Il est important de bien faire attention. (It’s very important to pay close attention)
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33
Q 
Falloir
•present
•passé composé
•imparfait
•near future
•future
•conditional
•past conditional
•pluperfect
A 
Falloir
•present (Il faut)
•passé composé (Il a fallu)
•imparfait (il fallait)
•near future (il va falloir)
•future (il faudra)
•conditional (il faudrait)
•past conditional (il aurait fallu)
•pluperfect (il avait fallu)
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34
Q 
Valoir mieux
•present
•passé composé
•imparfait
•near future
•future
•conditional
•past conditional
•pluperfect
A 
Valoir mieux
•present (Il vaut mieux)
•passé composé (Il a mieux valu)
•imparfait (Il valait mieux)
•near future (Il va mieux valoir)
•future (Il vaudra mieux)
•conditional (Il vaudrait mieux)
•past conditional (Il aurait mieux valu)
•pluperfect (Il avait mieux valu)
35
Q

It’s bizzare (strange) to/that

A

Il est bizarre de/que

36
Q

It’s good to/that

A

Il est bon de/que

37
Q

It’s a pity to/that

A

Il est dommage de/que

38
Q

It’s strange to/that

A

Il est étrange de/que

39
Q

It’s unfair [unjust] to/that

A

Il est injuste de/que

40
Q

It’s useless to/that

A

Il est inutile de/que

41
Q

It’s fair [just] to/that

A

Il est juste de/que

42
Q

It’s preferable to/that

A

Il est préférable de/que

43
Q

It’s regrettable to/that

A

Il est regrettable de/que

44
Q

It’s useful to/that

A

Il est utile de/que

45
Q

It’s doubtful that

A

Il est douteux que

46
Q

It’s impossible to/that

A

Il est impossible de/que

47
Q

It’s improbable that

A

Il est peu probable que

48
Q

It’s possible to/that

A

Il est possible de/que

49
Q

It seems that

A

Il semble que

50
Q

It’s possible that

A

Il se peut que

51
Q

Which phrases cannot be used with the infinitive; they are always followed by que/qu’ + subjunctive

A
  • Il est douteux
  • Il est peu probable
  • il se peut
  • Il semble

They are always followed by que/qu’ + subjunctive

52
Q

It’s certain that

A

Il est certain que

53
Q

It’s clear that

A

Il est clair que

54
Q

It’s obvious that

A

Il est évident que

55
Q

It’s probably [likely] that

A

Il est probable que

56
Q

It’s certain that

A

Il est sûr que

57
Q

It’s true that

A

Il est vrai que

58
Q

How are impersonal expression in negative or interrogative sentences made?

A

But in negative or interrogative sentences with these expressions, the subjunctive is used in the second clause to express uncertainty, doubt, or conjecture.

  • Il n’est pas certain que je puisse vous rejoindre. (It isn’t certain that I can join you.)
  • Est-il vrai qu’elle fasse toujours du violon? (Is it true that she still plays the violin?)
59
Q

What are personal expressions of volition, emotion and doubt?

A

Personal expressions of will, preference, emotion, and doubt require the subjunctive in the dependent clause if there is a change of subject. If there is no change of subject, use an infinitive.

  • Je préfère que tu le fasses. (I prefer that you do it. (two subjects))
  • Je préfère le faire moi-même. (I prefer to do it myself. (one subject))
60
Q

To prefer, like better than

A

Aimer mieux que

61
Q

To like, love that

A

Aimer que

62
Q

To ask that

A

Demander que

63
Q

To desire, want that

A

Désirer que

64
Q

To demand, require that

A

Exiger que

65
Q

To prefer that

A

Préférer que

66
Q

To wish, hope that

A

Souhaiter que

67
Q

To be willing that

A

Vouloir bien que

68
Q

To want, to wish that

A

Vouloir que

69
Q

How are epsérer and souhaiter used?

A

The verb espérer (to hope) is always followed by the indicative, never the subjunctive. When it is followed by the future indicative tense, espérer is often used instead of souhaiter (to wish, hope) and so avoids use of the subjunctive (which always follows souhaiter que).

  • Papa espère que tu seras heureux. (Dad hopes you will be happy)
  • Papa souhaite que tu sois heureux. (Dad wants you to be happy)
  • Je voudrais partir assez tôt. (I would like to leave rather early)
  • Nos amis exigent que nous soyons à l’heure. (Our friends demand that we be on time)
70
Q

To fear, be afraid that/of

A

Avoir peur que/de

71
Q

To be happy that/to

A

Être content(e) que/de

72
Q

To be sorry that/to

A

Être désolé(e) que/de

73
Q

To be angry that

A

Être furieux (furieuse) que

74
Q

To be happy that/to

A

Être heureux (heureuse) que/de

75
Q

To be delighted that/to

A

Être ravi(e) que/de

76
Q

To regret, be sorry that/to

A

Regretter que/de

77
Q

To be surprised that/to

A

Être suprise(e) que/de

78
Q

I doubt that

A

Je doute que

79
Q

I’m not sure that

A

Je ne suis pas sûr(e) que/de

80
Q

I’m not certain that

A

Je ne suis pas certain(e) que/de

81
Q

Which 2 verbs can be followed by the subjunctive is used in a negative or interrogative sentence?

A

The verbs penser (to think) and croire (to believe) can (optionally) be followed by the subjunctive, but only when they are used in a negative or interrogative sentence.

  • Tu ne penses pas que le patron ait de bonnes idées? (You don’t think the boss has good ideas?)
  • Croyez-vous que le bus soit à l’heure? (Do you think the bus is (will be) on time?)
82
Q

The past subjunctive with avoir or être can be used how and when?

A

The past subjunctive, formed with the subjunctive of avoir or être 􏰀 the past participle, is used in specific situations.
It indicates the opinion or feeling of the first subject about something that has already occurred. The verb in the past subjunctive follows que and always introduces a second subject.

  • Elle est mécontente que nous ne soyons pas venus. (She is unhappy that we did not come.)
  • Je suis ravie que tu aies réussi! (I am delighted that you passed (the exam)!)
  • Il est dommage qu’Annie soit tombée malade. (It is a shame that Annie got sick)
83
Q

Subjunctive vs infinitive

A

Spoken French often avoids the subjunctive by substituting an infinitive for a subjunctive clause, or by choosing the prepositional form of certain con- junctions. Compare the following sets of sentences:

Je demande que tu fasses le lit. (I ask that you make the bed)
Je te demande de faire le lit. (I ask you to make the bed)
Il faut que nous nous entraînions. (It is necessary that we work out)
Il faut nous entraîner. (It’s necessary for us to work out)
Nous devons nous entraîner. (We must work out)

84
Q 
Conjunction and then prepositions (proceed an infinitive)
•Provided that
•in order to
•unless
•before
•in order to
•without
A
  1. ) à condition que -> à condition de
  2. ) afin que -> afin de
  3. ) à moins de -> à moins de
  4. ) avant que -> avant de
  5. ) pour que -> pour
  6. ) sans que -> sans

French- Our Words (68 decks)

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