The Subjunctive Flashcards
What does the subjunctive express
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.
Structure of the subjunctive?
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)
How do you conjugate the subjunctive?
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.
Subjunctive
Parler
Que je parle Que tu parles Qu’il parle Que nous parlions Que vous parliez Qu’ils parlent
Subjunctive
Finir
Que je finisse Que tu finisses Qu’il finisse Que nous finissions Que vous finissiez Qu’ils finissent
Subjunctive
Vendre
Que je vende Que tu vendes Qu’il vende Que nous vendions Que vous vendiez Qu’il vendent
Subjunctive
Dormir
Que je dorme Que tu dormes Qu’il dorme Que nous dormions Que vous dormiez Qu’ils dorment
What to do if the subjunctive resembles imparfait
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’.
Irregular subjunctive
Indicative
•Ils
•Nous
Subjunctive
•Je
•Nous
Boire
Irregular subjunctive
Indicative
•Ils boivent
•Nous buvons
Subjunctive
•Que je boive
•Que nous buvions
Irregular subjunctive
Indicative
•Ils
•Nous
Subjunctive
•Je
•Nous
croire
Irregular subjunctive
Indicative
•Ils croient
•Nous croyons
Subjunctive
•Que je croie
•Nous croyiez
Irregular subjunctive
Indicative
•Ils
•Nous
Subjunctive
•Je
•Nous
Devoir
Irregular subjunctive
Indicative
•Ils doivent
•Nous devons
Subjunctive
•Que je doive
•Que nous devions
Irregular subjunctive
Indicative
•Ils
•Nous
Subjunctive
•Je
•Nous
Prendre
Irregular subjunctive
Indicative
•Ils prennent
•Nous prenons
Subjunctive
•Que je prenne
•Que nous preniez
Irregular subjunctive
Indicative
•Ils
•Nous
Subjunctive
•Je
•Nous
Recevoir
Irregular subjunctive
Indicative
•Ils reçoivent
•Nous recevons
Subjunctive
•Que je reçoive
•Que nous recevions
Irregular subjunctive
Indicative
•Ils
•Nous
Subjunctive
•Je
•Nous
Venir
Irregular subjunctive
Indicative
•Ils viennent
•Nous venons
Subjunctive
•Que je vienne
•Que nous veniez
Irregular subjunctive
Indicative
•Ils
•Nous
Subjunctive
•Je
•Nous
Voir
Irregular subjunctive
Indicative
•Ils voient
•Nous voyons
Subjunctive
•Que je voie
•Que nous voyions
Subjunctive
Faire
Que je fasse Que tu fasses Qu’il fasse Que nous fassions Que vous fassiez Qu’ils fassent
Subjunctive
Pouvoir
Que je puisse Que tu puisses Que il puisse Que nous puissions Que vous puissiez Qu’ils puissent
Subjunctive
Savoir
Que je sache Que tu saches Que il sache Que nous sachions Que vous sachiez Qu’ils sachent
Subjunctive
Être
Que je sois Que tu sois Qu’il soit Que nous soyons Que vous soyez Qu’ils soient
Subjunctive
Avoir
Que j’aie Que tu aies Que il ait Que nous ayons Que vous ayez Qu’ils aient
Subjunctive
Aller
Que j’aille Que tu ailles Qu’il aille Que nous allions Que vous alliez Qu’ils aillent
Subjunctive
Vouloir
Que je veuille Que tu veuilles Qu’il veuille Que nous voulions Que vous vouliez Qu’ils veuillent
When to use the subjective
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.
Subjunctive with expressions of necessity
It’s essential to/that
Il est essentiel de/que
Subjunctive with expressions of necessity
It’s important to/that
Il est important de/que
Subjunctive with expressions of necessity
It’s indispensable/crucial to/that
Il est indispensable de/que
Subjunctive with expressions of necessity
It’s necessary to/that
Il est nécessaire de/que
Subjunctive with expressions of necessity
It’s time to/that
Il est temps de/que
Subjunctive with expressions of necessity
It’s necessary to/that, one/you must
Il faut (que)
Subjunctive with expressions of necessity
You/one must not
Il ne faut pas (que)
Subjunctive with expressions of necessity
It’s better to/that
Il vaut mieux (que)
Difference between impersonal expressions of necessity and falloir and valoir?
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)
Falloir •present •passé composé •imparfait •near future •future •conditional •past conditional •pluperfect
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)
Valoir mieux •present •passé composé •imparfait •near future •future •conditional •past conditional •pluperfect
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)
It’s bizzare (strange) to/that
Il est bizarre de/que
It’s good to/that
Il est bon de/que
It’s a pity to/that
Il est dommage de/que
It’s strange to/that
Il est étrange de/que
It’s unfair [unjust] to/that
Il est injuste de/que
It’s useless to/that
Il est inutile de/que
It’s fair [just] to/that
Il est juste de/que
It’s preferable to/that
Il est préférable de/que
It’s regrettable to/that
Il est regrettable de/que
It’s useful to/that
Il est utile de/que
It’s doubtful that
Il est douteux que
It’s impossible to/that
Il est impossible de/que
It’s improbable that
Il est peu probable que
It’s possible to/that
Il est possible de/que
It seems that
Il semble que
It’s possible that
Il se peut que
Which phrases cannot be used with the infinitive; they are always followed by que/qu’ + subjunctive
- Il est douteux
- Il est peu probable
- il se peut
- Il semble
They are always followed by que/qu’ + subjunctive
It’s certain that
Il est certain que
It’s clear that
Il est clair que
It’s obvious that
Il est évident que
It’s probably [likely] that
Il est probable que
It’s certain that
Il est sûr que
It’s true that
Il est vrai que
How are impersonal expression in negative or interrogative sentences made?
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?)
What are personal expressions of volition, emotion and doubt?
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))
To prefer, like better than
Aimer mieux que
To like, love that
Aimer que
To ask that
Demander que
To desire, want that
Désirer que
To demand, require that
Exiger que
To prefer that
Préférer que
To wish, hope that
Souhaiter que
To be willing that
Vouloir bien que
To want, to wish that
Vouloir que
How are epsérer and souhaiter used?
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)
To fear, be afraid that/of
Avoir peur que/de
To be happy that/to
Être content(e) que/de
To be sorry that/to
Être désolé(e) que/de
To be angry that
Être furieux (furieuse) que
To be happy that/to
Être heureux (heureuse) que/de
To be delighted that/to
Être ravi(e) que/de
To regret, be sorry that/to
Regretter que/de
To be surprised that/to
Être suprise(e) que/de
I doubt that
Je doute que
I’m not sure that
Je ne suis pas sûr(e) que/de
I’m not certain that
Je ne suis pas certain(e) que/de
Which 2 verbs can be followed by the subjunctive is used in a negative or interrogative sentence?
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?)
The past subjunctive with avoir or être can be used how and when?
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)
Subjunctive vs infinitive
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)
Conjunction and then prepositions (proceed an infinitive) •Provided that •in order to •unless •before •in order to •without
- ) à condition que -> à condition de
- ) afin que -> afin de
- ) à moins de -> à moins de
- ) avant que -> avant de
- ) pour que -> pour
- ) sans que -> sans
