The subjunctive, modal verbs, exclamatives and imperatives Flashcards by Nils Masters

Jean declares that Pierre came

Jean affirme que Pierre est venu

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Jean thinks that Pierre came

Jean pense que Pierre est venu

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Jean reckons that Pierre came

Jean imagine que Pierre est venu

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I believe that Pierre will come

Je crois que Pierre viendra

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I reckon that Pierre will come

Je juge que Pierre viendra

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I think that Pierre will come

Je pense que Pierre viendra

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I suppose that Pierre will come

Je suppose que Pierre viendra

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It’s certain that Pierre will come

Il est certain que Pierre viendra

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It’s probable that Pierre will come

Il est probable que Pierre viendra

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Jean doesn’t think that Pierre came

Jean ne pense pas que Pierre soit venu

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Jean doesn’t imagine that Pierre came

Jean n’imagine pas que Pierre soit venu

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I don’t believe that Pierre will come

Je ne crois pas que Pierre vienne

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It’s not certain that Pierre will come

Il n’est pas certain que Pierre vienne

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It’s possible that Pierre will come

Il est possible que Pierre vienne

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Is it certain that Pierre will come?

Est-il certain que Pierre vienne?

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Do you think that Pierre will come?

Crois-tu que Pierre vienne?

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Does Jean think that Pierre came?

Est-ce que Jean pense que Pierre soit venu?

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Does Jean imagine that Pierre came?

Est-ce que Jean imagine que Pierre soit venu?

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he regrets that Pierre came

Il regrette que Pierre soit venu

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The most important thing for us was that there should have been a scandal

L’essentiel, pour nous, était que le scandale fût là

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If you come tomorrow, we will be able to go for a walk beside the lake

Si tu viens demain nous pourrons nous promener au bord du lac

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If they had replied to my letter, I would have stopped bothering them

S’ils avaient répondu à ma première lettre, j’aurais cessé de les importuner

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I’d be very pleased to go, as long as we take the plane

Je veux bien y aller, à condition qu’on prenne l’avion

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Jean-Charles will have to change his ways unless he wants people to think he is a complete idiot

Jean-Charles devra changer ses habitudes à moins qu’il veuille qu’on le prenne pour un imbécile

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Before you say anything to me, I promise that I will be there on time

vant que tu (ne) me le dises, je te promets que je serai là à l’heure

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I want to stay here until he has got home

Je veux attendre ici jusqu’à ce qu’il soit arrivé chez lui

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Whatever he does, he will never set foot in my house again

Quoi qu’il fasse, il ne mettra plus jamais les pieds chez moi

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Whatever her problems may be, I can’t easily see how I could help her

Quels que soient ses problèmes, je ne vois pas très bien comment je pourrais l’aider

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I’m looking for a student who can speak Chinese

Je cherche un étudiant qui sait parler chinois

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1 suppose you’re going to tell me that you went to the cinema with your girlfriend.

Je suppose que tu vas me dire que tu es allé au cinéma avec ta copine

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Just suppose that you are in the United States and you fall ill, how could you manage without health insurance?

Supposez toujours que vous soyez aux Etats-Unis et que vous tombiez malade, qu’est-ce que vous allez faire sans assurance?

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How does one form the present subjunctive

take the third person plural (ils), remove -ent, and add e es e ions iez ent

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How does one form the imperfect subjunctive

take the first person singular, simple past tense form, remove the last letter sse sses ^t ssions ssiez ssemt

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present subjunctive of parler

je parle tu parles il/elle parle nous parlions vous parliez ils parlent

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present subjunctive of ‘to finish’

je finisse tu finisses il/elle finisse nous finissions vous finissiez ils/elles finissent

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present subjunctive of to sleep

je dorme tu dormes il/elle dorme nous dormions vous dormiez ils/elles dorment

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present subjunctive of to sell

je vende tu vendes il/elle vende nous vendions vous vendiez ils/elles vendent

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present subjunctive of to receive

Je reçoive Tu reçoives il/elle reçoive nous recevions vous receviez ils/elles reçoivent

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Imperfect subjunctive of parler

Je parlasse Tu parlasses Il/Elle parlât Nous parlassions Vous parlassiez Ils/elles parlassent

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Imperfect subjunctive of finir

Je finisse Tu finisses Il/elle finit Nous finissions Vous finissiez Ils/elles finissent

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Imperfect subjunctive of dormir

Je dormisse Tu dormisses il/elle dormit nous dormissions vous dormissiez ils/elles dormissent

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Imperfect subjunctive of vendre

je vendisse tu vendisses il/elle vendisse nous vendît vous vendissiez ils/elles vendissent

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Imperfect subjunctive of to receive

Je reçusse Tu reçusses Il/elle reçût Nous reçussions Vous reçussiez Ils/elles reçussent

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We prefer him to know about it

Nous préférons qu’il soit au courant

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The teacher used to complain that his pupils didn’t know how to use the subjunctive correctly

Le professeur se plaignait que ses élèves ne sachent pas employer correctement le subjonctif

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He was happy in the office until the boss hired a new secretary

Il était heureux dans le bureau jusqu’à ce que le patron embauche une nouvelle secrétaire

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I’ll resign immediately unless you sack her

Je démissionnerai tout de suite à moins que vous ne la renvoyiez

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It would be unlikely that our friends would know that we have left

Il serait peu probable que nos amis sachent que nous sommes partis

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They made great efforts but the company is still in difficulty

Ils ont fait de gros efforts, mais l’entreprise reste en difficulté

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Although they had made considerable efforts, the company is still in difficulty

Quoiqu’ils aient fait de gros efforts, l’entreprise reste en difficulté

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Didn’t they think that the other team had been eliminated?

N’ont-ils pas cru que l’autre équipe ait été éliminée?

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they thought that the other team had been eliminated

Ils ont cru que l’autre équipe avait été éliminée

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Whatever my parents have decided, I won’t agree to it

Quoi que mes parents aient décidé, je n’y consentirai pas

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My parents will have decided but I won’t agree to it

Mes parents auront décidé, mais je n’y consentirai pas

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Do you believe that the pupils would have got such good marks if someone else had been their teacher?

Crois-tu que les élèves aient obtenu d’aussi bonnes notes si quelqu’un d’autre avaient été leur professeur?

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I believe that the pupils would have gotten just as good marks if someone else had been their teacher

Je crois que les élèves auraient obtenu d’aussi bonnes notes si quelqu’un d’autre avait été leur professeur

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to wish that

aimer que

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to wait for

attendre que

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to expect that

s’attendre à ce que

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to really want that

avoir envie que

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to order that

commander que

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to agree or to accept that

consentir que

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to be pleased that

être content que

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to fear that

craindre que

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to ask that

demander que

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to wish that

désirer que

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to be sorry that

être désolé que

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to be a pity or to be regretted that

être dommage que

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to doubt that

douter que

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to be surprised that

s’étonner que

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to require that

exiger que

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to be happy that

être heureux que

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to insist that

insister pour que

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to order that

ordonner que

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to allow that

permettre que

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to be afraid that

avoir peur que

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to prefer that

préférer que

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to be delighted that

être ravi que

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to regret that

regretter que

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to rejoice that

se réjouir que

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to wish that

souhaiter que

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to be surprised that

être surpris que

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to be anxious that

tenir à ce que

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to be sad that

être triste que

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To be careful that

veiller à ce que

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to want that

vouloir que

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I would like all the students to be able to find a job at the end of their period of study

J’aimerais que tous les étudiants puissent trouver du travail en fin d’études.

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Wait for my joy to revive and for the memory to die . . .’

‘Attendez que ma joie revienne et que soit mort le souvenir

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I agree that you can go on this photography course, but don’t forget that you will still have to go to your lectures

Je consens que tu fasses ce stage de photo mais n’oublie pas que tu devras quand-même aller à tes cours

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I’m afraid that may be true

Je crains que cela (ne) soit vrai

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It is to be regretted that the government was not able to obtain the release of the hostages at an earlier date

II est dommage que le gouvernement n’ait pas pu obtenir la libération des otages plus tôt

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I don’t doubt that their version is true but they will find it difficult to convince their parents

Personnellement, je ne doute pas que leur version soit véridique mais ils auront du mal à convaincre leurs parents

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I’m surprised that we haven’t yet received the goods

Je m’étonne que nous n’ayons pas encore reçu la marchandise

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He demanded that we should take him all the way to Paris

Il a exigé que nous l’emmenions jusqu’à Paris

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She was very happy that her friends had been allowed to move up to the next class

Elle était ravie que ses copains aient obtenu l’autorisation de passer dans la classe supérieure

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I order that the prisoners should be freed immediately

J’ordonne que les prisonniers soient libérés tout de suite

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I’m afraid that the truth might be different

J’ai peur que la vérité soit différente

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We prefer him to know about it

Nous préférons qu’il soit au courant

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I am delighted that you have found your partner for life

Je suis ravi que tu aies trouvé l’âme sœur

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I want you to be present at the birth

Je veux que tu sois là à la naissance

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The fear that he might be freed gave rise to a demonstration in front of the prison

La crainte qu’il soit relâché a provoqué une manifestation devant la prison

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Yvonne and Pierre have expressed that they want her to be invited

Yvonne et Pierre ont exprimé le désir qu’elle soit invitée

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The order that he should be executed was given at the highest level

L’ordre qu’il soit execute a été donné au plus haut niveau

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They thought that the other team had been eliminated

Ils ont cru que l’autre équipe avait été éliminée

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Didn’t they think that the other team had been eliminated!

N’ont-ils pas cru que l’autre équipe ait été éliminée?

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We are not saying that the accident was your fault, but the circumstances lead us to believe that this might be the case

Nous n’affirmons pas que l’accident soit de votre faute, mais les circonstances prêtent à croire que cela pourrait être le cas

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Do you think the cold war is really over?

Croyez-vous que la guerre froide soit vraiment terminée?

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Would you say that this statue is a good example of Michelangelo’s style?

Peut-on dire que cette statue soit un bon exemple du style de Michel-Ange?

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I don’t think that is correct

Je ne pense pas que cela soit vrai

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I don’t think that your joke was in bad taste but merely out of place in this context

Je ne trouve pas que votre plaisanterie soit de mauvais goût, mais simplement déplacée dans ce contexte

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Just imagine what her surprise must have been

Imaginez quelle ait été sa surprise

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Let’s suppose that we won the national lottery

Supposons que nous ayons gagné la loterie nationale

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It’s difficult to imagine that this film was made by Godard

On imagine mal que ce film ait été tourné par Godard

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They hoped the other team had been eliminated

Ils espéraient que l’autre équipe avait été éliminée

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Didn’t they hope that the other team had been eliminated?

N’espéraient-ils pas que l’autre équipe avait été éliminée?

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It is probable that we will arrive in Paris the day after tomorrow

II est probable que nous arriverons à Paris après-demain

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I think that all this work was worth it

Il me semble que tout ce travail valait la peine

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It is not certain that your explanations would be accepted by everyone

Il n’est pas certain que tes explications soient acceptées par tous

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It is doubtful the contract will have been signed on time

Il est douteux que le contrat ait été signé à temps

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It is incredible that they should have been able to escape without anyone noticing

Il est invraisemblable qu’ils aient pu s’enfuir sans être remarqués

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We may meet up with our friends on the outskirts of town

Il se peut que nous rencontrions nos camarades à la sortie de la ville

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It is possible that we may be able to find a solution to your problem

II est possible que nous puissions trouver une solution à votre problème

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It is not very likely that you’ll pass your driving test first time

Il est peu probable que vous réussissiez le permis la première fois

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We can’t be sure that we have chosen the best solution

Il n’est pas sûr que nous ayons choisi la meilleure solution

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It is not true that Juliette proposed that we should stay where we were

Il n’est pas vrai que Juliette nous ait proposé de rester sur place

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They must be ready to leave immediately

Il faut qu’ils soient prêts à partir tout de suite

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It is important that everyone understands the need to increase productivity

II est important que tous comprennent la nécessité d’améliorer la productivité

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It is necessary for you to go with them: it would be too dangerous to let them travel on their own

Il est nécessaire que vous partiez avec eux: il serait trop dangereux de les laisser voyager seuls

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It is a pity that we were not able to pass on this information

II est regrettable que nous n’ayons pas pu transmettre ces renseignements

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It seems that the enemy is better prepared

Il semble que l’ennemi soit mieux préparé

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It is time for us to get ready to help the homeless

II est temps que nous nous préparions à aider les sans-abri

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It is better that it should be Jean-Claude who puts forward the explanations

Il vaut mieux que ce soit Jean-Claude qui fournisse les explications

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I think that the enemy is better prepared

II me semble que l’ennemi est mieux préparé

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It seems that the enemy is better prepared

II semble que l’ennemi soit mieux préparé

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in order that

afin que pour que

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whilst waiting for

en attendant que

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not that

non que ce n’est pas que

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unless

à moins que

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supposing that

à supposer que supposé que en supposant que en admettant que

although

bien que quoique encore que malgré que

so that, in such a way that

de façon que de manière que de sorte que si bien que

for fear that

de peur que de crainte que

however little that

pour peu que si peu que

provided that

pourvu que à condition que

without

sans que

whether

soit que

such as

tel que

Cover your exercise books so that they won’t get dirty

Couvrez vos cahiers afin qu’ils ne se salissent pas

hey moved to Paris so that their son could study at the ‘lycée Henri TV’

Ils sont allés habiter à Paris pour que leur fils puisse suivre des cours à Henri IV

Waiting for the fine weather to return, we spent the evenings reading by the fireside

En attendant que le beau temps revienne, on passait les soirées à lire au coin du feu

I asked her to change the manuscript; it’s not that I am disappointed, but I would like there to be more dialogue

Je lui ai demandé de modifier le manuscrit; non que je sois déçu, mais je voudrais qu’il y ait plus de dialogue

I’ll call by to pick you up at six unless you ring me beforehand

Je passe te prendre à six heures à moins que tu ne m’appelles avant

Supposing that the reply is positive, what will you do?

A supposer que la réponse soit favorable, qu’est-ce que vous allez faire?

Although these arguments are valid to a certain degree, I do not think that they justify your behaviour

Bien que ces arguments soient en partie valables, ils ne justifient pas votre comportement

Although the workers have made considerable efforts, the company is still in difficulty

Quoique les ouvrières aient fourni de gros efforts, la compagnie est toujours en difficulté

I’ve switched on the answering machine for fear that I might be interrupted during the meeting

J’ai branché le répondeur de crainte qu’on ne me dérange pendant la réunion

They have gone ex-directory for fear of being disturbed at home

Ils ont fait mettre leur numéro sur la liste rouge de peur qu’on ne les dérange chez eux

I’ll show you how it works so that you can explain it to George later

Je te montrerai comment cela fonctionne de façon que tu puisses l’expliquer à Georges plus tard

I’ll set out the garden chairs in such a way that you can read in the sun

Je mets les chaises au jardin de manière que tu puisses lire au soleil

Let me know what you have decided, so that I am able to write a report

Expliquez-moi ce que vous avez décidé de sorte que je sois en mesure de rédiger un rapport

I am quite willing to drive you to Lyons as long as you pay for me to come back

Je veux bien vous conduire jusqu’à Lyon à condition que vous payiez mon billet de retour

We will take some holidays this year, provided that we make sufficient profit

Nous nous offrirons des vacances cette année, pourvu que nos marges bénéficiaires nous le permettent

She could well have left the village without my noticing

Elle aurait bien pu quitter le village sans que je m’en aperçoive

And if he had created such a scandal that you had been obliged to give in, you would have lost a lot of money

Et s’il avait créé un scandale tel que vous ayez été obligé de céder, vous auriez perdu beaucoup d’argent

I’ll show you how it works so that (‘creating the conditions for you to’) you can explain it to George

Je te montrerai comment cela fonctionne de façon que tu puisses l’expliquer à Georges

Tell me a little more about what’s happening at the office so that (‘creating the conditions for me to’) I can advise you

Dis-m’en un peu plus sur ce qui se passe au bureau, de sorte que je puisse te conseiller

The mechanic has adjusted the gears so that (‘with the result that’) you can use them again

Le mécanicien a réglé le fonctionnement des vitesses de façon que tu peux t’en servir de nouveau

You never tell me any more about what’s happening at the office so that (‘with the result that’) I am incapable of advising you

Tu ne me racontes plus jamais ce qui se passe au bureau, de sorte que je suis incapable de te conseiller

We must react quickly before the problem becomes impossible to deal with

Il faut réagir rapidement, avant que le problème ne devienne insurmontable

Sebastien will sort out his financial position before he resigns

Sébastien va s’assurer de sa situation financière avant qu’il ne démissionne

He kept on until she went out with him

Il a persisté jusqu’à ce qu’elle sorte avec lui

We began after they arrived

Nous avons commencé après qu’ils étaient arrivés

This cauliflower is the biggest I have ever seen

Ce chou-fleur est le plus gros que j’aie jamais vu

Jennifer is the best specialist I have heard on this subject

Jennifer est la meilleure spécialiste que j’aie entendue sur ce sujet

Jeanne is the only one who is capable of doing it

Jeanne est la seule qui soit capable de le faire

My brother is the only candidate who has been selected

Mon frère est l’unique candidat qui ait été sélectionné

I don’t know anyone better qualified than him to express the aspirations of the young

Je ne connais personne qui soit mieux qualifié que lui pour exprimer les espoirs de la jeune génération

He owns the last of the cars which have a special engine

II possède la dernière des voitures qui soit équipée d’un moteur spécial

That’s the first film 1 saw

C’est le premier film que j’ai vu

He was the first person to scale the Matterhorn

C’était la première personne qui ait fait l’ascension du Matterhorn

I don’t know anyone more gifted for the piano than you (peerless)

Je ne connais personne qui soit plus doué pour le piano que vous

I don’t know anyone who plays the violin

Je ne connais personne qui sait jouer du violon

This is the last time I am coming to see you

C’est la dernière fois que je viens vous voir

The first time I saw you I thought you were a bit eccentric

La première fois que je t’ai vu, je t’ai trouvé un peu farfelu

The cook book is the only one which fell off the shelf

Le livre de cuisine est le seul qui est tombé de l’étagère

Maybe he’ll make it, maybe not

Peut-être qu’il viendra, peut-être qu’il viendra pas

Lucky you were here otherwise I’d have been afraid

Heureusement que tu étais là, sinon j’aurais eu peur

Of course your friend can sleep here

Certainement que ton copain peut coucher ici

If he rings again tomorrow and he wants to know where I was, tell him I was at my mother’s

S’il retéléphone demain et qu’il veuille savoir où j’étais, dis-lui que j’étais chez ma mère

f Helen inherits the house and sells it, Aunt Zoë will be furious

Si Hélène hérite de la maison et qu’elle la vende, tante Zoë sera furieuse

It’s odd but, if Paris St Germain win the league and lose the European cup, they will be in a better position for next season

C’est curieux, mais, si Paris St Germain gagne le championnat et qu’ils perdent la Coupe d’Europe, ils seront mieux placés pour la saison suivante

Whether Jeanne comes or not, we will have to invite her daughter

Que Jeanne vienne ou ne vienne pas, il faudra inviter sa fille

Whether you are present or absent is all the same to me

Que tu sois présent ou que tu sois absent, cela m’indiffère totalement

that the Germans be present at the memorial ceremony can not but reinforce european solidarity

Que des Allemands soient présents à la cérémonie du souvenir ne peut que renforcer la solidarité européenne

(The fact) That Suzanne and Jean-Paul chose to get married in church may have been a shock for some of their friends

Que Suzanne et Jean-Paul aient choisi le mariage religieux a pu paraître choquant à certains de leurs amis

It is likely that we will arrive in Paris the day after tomorrow

II est probable que nous arriverons à Paris après-demain (indicative)

That we shall arrive in Paris the day after tomorrow is likely

Que nous arrivions à Paris après-demain est probable (subjunctive)

I think it certain that he has left

Il me semble certain qu’il est parti (indicative)

That he has left seems certain

Qu’il soit parti me semble certain (subjunctive)

Whoever you are, I won’t accept that behaviour

Qui que vous soyez, je n’accepterai pas ce comportement

Whatever my parents say, I have decided to go there

Quoi qu’en disent mes parents, j’ai décidé d’y aller

Wherever he is hiding, I will find him

Où qu’il se cache, je le trouverai

Whatever stupid things you may have done, your father and I forgive you

Quelques bêtises que tu aies faites, ton père et moi te, pardonnons

Whatever might be the reasons which have brought you to us, I am happy to welcome you

Quelles que soient les raisons qui vous ont amené chez nous, je suis heureux de vous accueillir

However rare these stones may be, we will manage to sell them anyway

Quelque rares que soient ces pierres, on arrivera quand même à les vendre

If he knew of a place which was suitable, he would say so

S’il connaissait un endroit qui convienne, il le dirait

She wants to buy a house with a swimming pool

Elle veut acheter une maison qui ait une piscine

If he knows of a suitable place, let’s go there

S’il connaît un endroit qui convient, allons-y

The new -players are the best in the département, so the team should now produce some better performances

Les nouveaux joueurs sont les premiers sélectionnés du département, donc l’équipe devrait maintenant faire de meilleures performances

It must be true

Cela doit être vrai

He must have come back because he starts work again tomorrow

Il doit être revenu puisqu’il recommence le travail demain

It has been raining almost constantly for three weeks. We must expect floods

Il pleut depuis trois semaines presque constamment. Nous devrons nous attendre à des inondations

I must have paid the bill since I haven’t had a reminder

J’ai dû payer la facture puisque je n’ai reçu aucun courrier de relance

It is absolutely essential that I should speak to Sylvain. You know where he is and you must tell me

II est absolument essentiel que je parle à Sylvain. Vous savez où il est et vous devez me le dire

You must come back tomorrow or Mum will be very disappointed

Tu dois revenir demain sinon maman sera très déçue

You have been to dinner at their house, now you will have to invite them to yours

Vous êtes allés dîner chez eux, maintenant vous devrez les inviter chez vous

This roof is dangerous; you should speak to the landlord about it

Ce toit est dangereux; vous devriez en parler au propriétaire

They were about to reveal the name of the winner but a power cut happened

Ils devaient annoncer le nom du gagnant à 18 heures mais une panne d’électricité est survenue

The day of the accident I was to accompany my father to Paris

Le jour de l’accident je devais accompagner mon père à Paris

Later on he was often to reflect on these few moments

Plus tard, il devait souvent repenser à ces quelques instants

Even if she had wanted to remain unaware of these facts, she could no longer do so. She was obliged to accept what followed from them

Même si elle avait voulu occulter ces faits, elle ne le pouvait plus. Elle devait en tirer les conséquences

Fifty years after the end of the war his heroism was to be recognised by the government

50 ans après la fin de la guerre, son héroïsme devait être reconnu par le gouvernement

You are dismissed!

Vous pouvez disposer! (a) The granting or refusing of permission by the speaker

No, you cannot go to this boy’s house

Non, tu ne peux pas aller chez ce garçon (b) An indication that the speaker believes someone else is capable of doing something

He may talk to me about it when he wishes

Il pourra m’en parler quand il voudra (c) An indication that the speaker feels that something is probable in the future;

You may go as soon as the meeting is over but not before

Vous pourrez partir dès que la réunion sera terminée mais pas avant An expression of politeness by the speaker.

She has already cooked for the whole family: she is quite capable of preparing the meal for our guests

Elle a déjà fait la cuisine pour toute la famille: elle peut très bien s’occuper du repas de nos invités

A big boy like you! Of course you will be able to carry my case up to my room

Un grand garçon comme toi! Bien sûr que tu pourras porter ma valise jusqu’à ma chambre

We will only be able to take our decision once the experts have put in their report

Nous ne pourrons prendre notre décision que lorsque les experts nous aurons remis leur rapport

Your letter may very well arrive on Monday morning; it has probably been delayed by the Christmas holidays

Votre lettre peut très bien arriver lundi matin; elle a sans doute été retardée à cause des fêtes de Noël

If they go on playing like that, they could well win the title

S’ils continuent à jouer comme ça, ils pourraient gagner le championnat

You spend too much time working on your computer: you could damage your eyesight

Tu passes trop de temps devant ton écran d’ordinateur: tu peux t’abîmer la vue

The gutter’s leaking: if it goes on, the water could ruin the wall

La gouttière fuit: si cela continue, l’eau pourrait abîmer le mur

Treat this scratch, it could get infected

Il faut soigner cette égratignure, elle pourrait s’infecter

It is always possible to do better

On peut toujours faire mieux

In a room with an open hearth, a spark can always cause a fire

Dans une pièce où il y a une cheminée, une étincelle peut toujours mettre le feu

It is not too late; he may still come

Il n’est pas trop tard; il peut encore venir

Since dad has got a job we’ll be able to move house

Comme papa a trouvé du travail, on va pouvoir déménager

May I request your assistance?

Puis-je vous demander de m’aider?

Could you show me the way to Douaumont?

Pourriez-vous m’indiquer le chemin de Douaumont?

It would be possible to see things in this way but I personally think that there is a much more important point

On pourrait voir les choses sous cet angle, mais personnellement je pense que l’important est ailleurs

I know my lessons by heart

Je sais mes leçons par cœur

Jean and Marie know where to find us

Jean et Marie savent où nous trouver

Monet knew a lot of things about the use of colour in painting

Monet savait beaucoup de choses sur l’utilisation de la couleur en peinture

Don’t worry. I know how to swim

N’ayez pas peur. Je sais nager

She is only four but already she knows how to read

Elle n’a que quatre ans mais déjà elle sait lire

You don’t need to speak so slowly. They know how to speak French

Tu n’as pas besoin de parler si lentement. Ils savent parler français

We are not frightened to go there. We know how to look after ourselves

Nous n’avons pas peur d’y aller. Nous savons nous défendre

Yes I can (= I know how to) repair the engine, but I can’t do it (= I am unable to do so here and now) without tools

Oui je sais réparer le moteur mais je ne peux pas le faire sans outils

We can look after ourselves

Nous savons nous défendre

We can defend ourselves against attacks by the extreme right

Nous pourrons nous défendre contre les attaques de l’extrême droite

They must come and help me

Il faut qu’ils viennent m’aider

The English should have stayed out of the European Union

Il aurait fallu que les Anglais restent en dehors de l’Union Européenne

I would come to your birthday party if I had enough money to pay the train fare

Je viendrais à ton anniversaire si j’avais assez d’argent pour me payer le train

She wouldn’t tell me where to find him

Elle n’a pas voulu me dire où le trouver

These events would often take place during the summer holidays

Ces événements avaient souvent lieu pendant les vacances d’été

You should phone home more often

Tu devrais téléphoner chez toi plus souvent

You should have told me that before

Tu aurais dû me dire (not *avoir dit) cela plus tôt

f I had known about that I should not have come

Si j’avais su cela, je ne serais pas venu

The book should be coming out next month

Le livre devrait sortir le mois prochain

If you should hear of a flat to let, do let me know

Si par hasard vous entendez parler d’un appartement à louer, dites-le moi

If John should telephone, tell him I’ll call him back

Si Jean téléphone, dis-lui que je le rappellerai

In the unlikely event of John telephoning, you must tell him I’ll call him back

Si Jean devait téléphoner, il faudrait lui dire que je le rappellerai

After all the trouble we had taken he still couldn’t come

Malgré tout le mal qu’on s’est donné, il n’a quand même pas pu venir

He said: ‘I can come’

Il a dit: ‘Je peux venir’

Il faut que tu fasses attention; cela pourrait être un piège

It has been a few days since I have seen him: he could have left

Cela fait plusieurs jours que je ne le vois plus: il se peut qu’il soit parti

Her mother said he could come

Sa mère a dit qu’il pouvait venir

She could have told me that she couldn’t do it

Elle aurait pu me dire qu’elle ne pourrait pas le faire

She may come or she may not

Peut-être qu’elle viendra, ou peut-être qu’elle ne viendra pas

That may be the case but we can’t be sure

Cela se peut mais nous ne pouvons en être certains

It may be that he is guilty but it has yet to be proved

II se peut que ce soit lui le coupable mais cela reste à prouver

1 am photocopying the certificate because I am frightened you may lose it

Je fais photocopier le certificat de peur que tu ne le perdes

‘Cinderella may go to the ball’, said the wicked stepmother

Cendrillon peut aller au bal, dit la méchante belle-mère

You may stay till eleven

Vous pouvez rester jusqu’à onze heures

May God protect us

Que Dieu nous protège

That’s as may be, I still haven’t got my money back

Quoi qu’il en soit, je n’ai toujours pas récupéré mon argent

Whatever he may say I won’t believe him

Quoi qu’il dise, je ne le croirai pas

She said: You may go

Elle a dit: Vous pouvez y aller

She said we might go if we finished our homework first

Elle a dit qu’on pouvait y aller si on finissait nos devoirs d’abord

She might come or she might not

Peut-être qu’elle viendra, ou peut-être pas

I kept an eye on the children for fear that they might hurt themselves

Je surveillais les enfants de peur qu’ils ne se fassent mal

Might I suggest that you try something else?

Puis-je vous suggérer d’essayer autre chose?

permit me to ask why you have come?

Permettez-moi de vous demander pourquoi vous êtes venu?

You ought to get out more

Vous devriez sortir davantage

You ought to change your wardrobe

Tu devrais renouveler ta garde-robe

If she says so, then it must be the case . . .

Si elle le dit, c’est que ça doit être vrai . . .

You must have got the road map out of the car because it isn’t there now

Vous avez dû sortir l’atlas de la voiture parce qu’il n’y est plus

How she’s grown!

Comme elle a grandi!

What a lot of people!

Que de monde!

The devil take him!

Que le diable l’emporte!

Pierre has changed How Pierre has changed!

Pierre a changé Comme Pierre a changé! Que Pierre a changé!

He used to complain How he used to complain!

Il se plaignait Comme il se plaignait! Qu’il se plaignait!

It’s disgusting How disgusting it is!

C’est dégoûtant Comme c’est dégoûtant! Que c’est dégoûtant!

She speaks quickly How quickly she speaks

Elle parle vite Comme elle parle vite! Qu’elle parle vite!

She knows how Pierre has changed

Elle sait combien Pierre a changé

They recounted how he used to complain

Ils ont raconté combien il se plaignait

What a wind!

Quel vent!

What progress these students have made!

Quels progrès ces étudiants ont faits!

With what skill he solved the problem!

Avec quelle adresse il a résolu le problème!

What a lot of people’.

Que de monde!

So many difficulties!

Que de difficultés!

What a lot of problems we have before us!

Que de problèmes on doit affronter!

Long live Brittany!

Vive la Bretagne!

Every man for himself!

Sauve qui peut!

May you succeed!

Puissiez-vous réussir!

Sit down

Asseyez-vous

Watch out!

Fais attention!

How to form the imperative

take second person and first person present tense, delete the final -s of any verb that ends in -es or -as

speak! Let’s speak

parle/parlez parlons

go lets go

va/allez allons

open let’s open

ouvre/ouvrez ouvrons

finish let’s finish

finis/finnissez finissions

sleep let’s sleep

dors/dormez dormons

receive let’s receive

reçois/recevez recevons

be let’s.be

sois/soyez soyons

have let’s have

aie/ayez ayons

know let’s know

sache/sachez sachons

please

veuille/veuillez

speak about it

parles-en

go on

vas-y

Get up

lève-toi levez-vous

Let’s get up

levons-nous

help yourself

sers-toi servez-vous

let’s help ourselves

servons-nous

Take them

Prends-les

Listen to me

Ecoutez-moi

Shut up

Tais-toi

Go up and look for them

Monte les chercher

Run and phone him

Courez lui téléphoner

Give it to me

Donne-le-moi

Give it to him

Donnez-le-lui

Give me some of it

Donne-m’en

Hang on to it

Accroche-t’y

Don’t give it to me

Ne me le donne pas

Don’t give it to him

Ne le lui donnez pas

Don’t give me any

Ne m’en donne pas

Don’t hang on to it

Ne t’y accroche pas

Type the letter before the end of the day

Ayez tapé cette lettre avant la fin de la journée

Please sit down

Veuillez vous asseoir

Close the door, please

Vous fermerez la porte, s’il vous plaît

Give me two baguettes, please

Vous me donnerez deux baguettes

Let him sit down

Qu’il s’asseye

Let her go down and order me a beer

Qu’elle descende me commander une bière

Let them give it to you

Qu’ils te le donnent

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The subjunctive, modal verbs, exclamatives and imperatives Flashcards

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