Le Subjonctif, a key aspect of French grammar, expresses doubt, uncertainty, desires, or subjective opinions. It is used after certain expressions or verbs convey these notions, indicating a hypothetical or uncertain action. Unlike the indicative mood, which deals with facts, the subjunctive addresses possibilities and emotions. Its conjugation patterns vary across tenses and persons. Mastery of the French subjunctive is crucial for conveying subtleties and depth in French communication.
What is Le Subjonctif/Subjunctive?
In French, the subjunctive mood expresses subjective ideas, possibilities, feelings, doubts, and uncertainties. Unlike the indicative mood, which deals with facts and certainties, the subjunctive mood navigates the realm of the hypothetical and emotional.
Its primary functions include:
Expressing Wishes and Desires: The subjunctive conveys desires or wishes that may or may not come true.Example: “Je souhaite que tu réussisses.” (I hope you succeed.)
Conveying Uncertainty or Doubt: It expresses uncertainty or doubt about a situation.
Example: “Je doute qu’il vienne.” (I doubt he will come.)
Reflecting Emotions or Opinions: The subjunctive mood is utilized to express emotions or opinions, emphasizing the subjective nature of the statement.
Example: “Il est triste que tu partes.” (It’s sad that you’re leaving.)
Following Certain Conjunctions: Certain conjunctions trigger the use of the subjunctive mood, particularly when they introduce clauses expressing doubt, desire, or possibility.
Example: “Bien que je sache la vérité, je reste silencieux.” (Even though I know the truth, I remain silent.)
In summary, the subjunctive mood in French adds depth and nuance to language by allowing speakers to articulate subjective ideas, feelings, doubts, and possibilities, contributing to richer and more expressive communication.
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When to Use the Subjunctive in French
In French, the subjunctive mood is commonly used in subordinate clauses introduced by the conjunction “que” (that). These subordinate clauses often express subjective ideas, desires, doubts, or possibilities. Here are some key contexts where the subjunctive is employed in subordinate clauses starting with “que”:
Expressions of Wishes and Desires:
Example: Je veux que tu viennes. (I want you to come.)
Expressions of Doubt and Uncertainty:
Example: Je doute qu’il soit là. (I doubt he is there.)
Expressions of Emotion and Opinion:
Example: Il est important que vous soyez présents. (It’s important that you be present.)
Expressions of Necessity and Obligation:
Example: Il est nécessaire que nous partions. (It’s necessary that we leave.)
Expressions of Prohibition and Interdiction:
Example: Il est interdit que vous fumiez ici. (It’s forbidden for you to smoke here.)
Expressions of Impersonality:
Example: Il est possible que je sois en retard. (It’s possible that I am late.)
Expressions of Probability and Hypothetical Situations:
Example: Il est peu probable que nous gagnions. (It’s unlikely that we will win.)
Expressions of Opinion or Judgment:
Example: Il est bon que tu aies réussi. (It’s good that you have succeeded.)
Expressions of Fear, Hope, or Worry:
Example: J’ai peur qu’il neige demain. (I’m afraid it will snow tomorrow.)
Expressions of Permission or Prohibition:
Example: Je permets que vous utilisiez mon ordinateur. (I allow you to use my computer.)
In all these cases, the subjunctive mood is used to convey the subjective, uncertain, or hypothetical nature of the subordinate clause introduced by “que”. Mastering the subjunctive in these contexts allows for more nuanced and expressive communication in French.
Here are some common phrases and conjunctions that often trigger the usage of the subjunctive mood in French:
Expressions of Wishes and Desires:
- Souhaiter que (to wish that)
- Vouloir que (to want that)
- Désirer que (to desire that)
Example: Je souhaite que tu réussisses. (I wish you would succeed.)
Expressions of Doubt and Uncertainty:
- Douter que (to doubt that)
- Craindre que (to fear that)
- Ne pas croire que (to not believe that)
Example: Je crains qu’il ne soit en retard. (I fear he might be late.)
Expressions of Emotion and Opinion:
- Être content(e) que (to be glad that)
- Être triste que (to be sad that)
- Être heureux(se) que (to be happy that)
Example: Je suis heureux(se) que tu sois là. (I’m happy that you’re here.)
Expressions of Necessity and Obligation:
- Il est nécessaire que (it’s necessary that)
- Il faut que (it’s necessary that)
- Il est important que (it’s important that)
Example: Il est important que vous veniez. (It’s important that you come.)
Expressions of Prohibition and Interdiction:
- Il est interdit que (it’s forbidden that)
- Il est défendu que (it’s prohibited that)
- Il est impossible que (it’s impossible that)
Example: Il est interdit que vous fumiez ici. (It’s forbidden for you to smoke here.)
Expressions of Impersonality:
- Il est possible que (it’s possible that)
- Il est probable que (it’s probable that)
- Il est nécessaire que (it’s necessary that)
Example: Il est possible qu’il pleuve demain. (It’s possible that it will rain tomorrow.)
Expressions of Opinion or Judgment:
- Il est bon que (it’s good that)
- Il est essentiel que (it’s essential that)
- Il est juste que (it’s fair that)
Example: Il est bon que tu aies réussi. (It’s good that you have succeeded.)
Expressions of Fear, Hope, or Worry:
- Avoir peur que (to be afraid that)
- Espérer que (to hope that)
- Craindre que (to fear that)
Example: J’ai peur qu’il neige demain. (I’m afraid it will snow tomorrow.)
Expressions of Permission or Prohibition:
- Permettre que (to allow that)
- Interdire que (to prohibit that)
- Autoriser que (to authorize that)
Example: Je permets que vous utilisiez mon ordinateur. (I allow you to use my computer.)
These phrases and conjunctions indicate situations where the subjunctive mood is typically required in French grammar, signalling uncertainty, subjectivity, or emotion.
Verbs Requiring the Subjunctive
Certainly! Here is a categorization of verbs in French that typically trigger the subjunctive mood due to their expression of doubt, wish, opinion, and similar sentiments:
Verbs of doubt:
- Douter que (to doubt that)
- Croire que (to believe that)
Verbs of desire or wish:
- Vouloir que (to want that)
- Souhaiter que (to wish that)
Verbs of emotion:
- Être heureux(se) que (to be happy that)
- Être surpris(e) que (to be surprised that)
Verbs of necessity or obligation:
- Falloir que (to be necessary that)
- Importer que (to matter that)
Here are examples illustrating the usage of the subjunctive with different categories of verbs:
Verbs of doubt:
- Je doute qu’il vienne à la fête. (I doubt that he will come to the party.)
- Elle ne croit pas que nous ayons raison. (She does not believe that we are right.)
Verbs of desire or wish:
- Je veux que tu fasses tes devoirs tout de suite. (I want you to do your homework right away.)
- Elle souhaite que nous puissions la rejoindre demain. (She wishes that we can join her tomorrow.)
Verbs of emotion:
- Je suis contente que tu aies réussi ton examen. (I’m happy that you passed your exam.)
- Il est désolé que vous ne puissiez pas venir à la réunion. (He’s sorry that you can’t come to the meeting.)
Verbs of necessity or obligation:
- Il faut que nous partions maintenant. (We must leave now.)
- Il importe que vous soyez là à l’heure. (It matters that you be there on time.)
Subjunctive Présent vs. Subjunctive Passé
Subjunctive Présent:
- Used to express present or future hypothetical situations, desires, doubts, or wishes.
- Conjugated similarly to the indicative present tense but with different endings in some irregular verbs.
- Example: Il faut que tu viennes demain. (You need to come tomorrow.)
Subjunctive Passé:
- Used to express hypothetical actions that occurred before the main verb in the past.
- Formed with the auxiliary verb “avoir” or “être” in the subjunctive present tense followed by the past participle of the main verb.
- Example: Il est content que nous ayons fini nos devoirs. (He is happy that we finished our homework.)
Conjugating the Subjunctive in French
Let us walk through the conjugation of regular verbs in the subjunctive mood, along with examples:
Regular -ER Verbs:
Remove the -er ending and add the following endings:
-e, -es, -e, -ions, -iez, -ent
Example with the verb “parler” (to speak):
Je parle -> que je parle
Tu parles -> que tu parles
Il/Elle parle -> qu’il/elle parle
Nous parlons -> que nous parlions
Regular -IR Verbs:
Remove the -ir ending and add the following endings:
-isse, -isses, -isse, -issions, -issiez, -issent
Example with the verb “finir” (to finish):
Je finis -> que je finisse
Tu finis -> que tu finisses
Il/Elle finit -> qu’il/elle finisse
Nous finissons -> que nous finissions
Regular -RE Verbs:
Remove the -re ending and add the following endings:
-e, -es, -e, -ions, -iez, -ent
Example with the verb “vendre” (to sell):
Je vends -> que je vende
Tu vends -> que tu vendes
Il/Elle vend -> qu’il/elle vende
Nous vendons -> que nous vendions
Irregular Verbs and Exceptions:
While regular verbs follow a predictable pattern in the subjunctive mood, irregular verbs and exceptions require memorization due to their unique conjugation patterns. Here are some examples of irregular verbs in the subjunctive mood:
- Être (to be):
- Que je sois (that I be)
- Que tu sois (that you be)
- Qu’il/elle/on soit (that he/she/we be)
- Que nous soyons (that we be)
- Que vous soyez (that you be)
- Qu’ils/elles soient (that they be)
- Avoir (to have):
- Que j’aie (that I have)
- Que tu aies (that you have)
- Qu’il/elle/on ait (that he/she/we have)
- Que nous ayons (that we have)
- Que vous ayez (that you have)
- Qu’ils/elles aient (that they have)
- Savoir (to know):
- Que je sache (that I know)
- Que tu saches (that you know)
- Qu’il/elle/on sache (that he/she/we know)
- Que nous sachions (that we know)
- Que vous sachiez (that you know)
- Qu’ils/elles sachent (that they know)
- Aller (to go):
- Que j’aille (that I go)
- Que tu ailles (that you go)
- Qu’il/elle/on aille (that he/she/we go)
- Que nous allions (that we go)
- Que vous alliez (that you go)
- Qu’ils/elles aillent (that they go)
- Faire (to do/make):
- Que je fasse (that I do/make)
- Que tu fasses (that you do/make)
- Qu’il/elle/on fasse (that he/she/we do/make)
- Que nous fassions (that we do/make)
- Que vous fassiez (that you do/make)
- Qu’ils/elles fassent (that they do/make)
These irregular verbs have unique conjugations in the subjunctive mood, which must be memorized to use them accurately in French sentences. Practice and exposure to these irregular forms will help reinforce their usage.
Agreement of the Participe Passé
In French, the past participle can agree in gender and number with the subject or direct object under certain conditions. Here’s an explanation of when and how this agreement occurs, along with special cases and exceptions:
Agreement with the Subject:
When the auxiliary verb is “être” (to be), the past participle agrees in gender and number with the subject.
- Example: Elle est arrivée. (She arrived.)
- Example: Ils sont arrivés. (They arrived.)
However, when the auxiliary verb is “avoir” (to have), the past participle generally does not agree with the subject, except in certain cases (see exceptions below).
Agreement with the Direct Object:
When the direct object precedes the verb and is placed before the past participle, the past participle agrees in gender and number with the direct object.
- Example: Les pommes que j’ai mangées étaient délicieuses. (The apples that I ate were delicious.) [agreement with “pommes” (feminine, plural)]
- Example: Le gâteau qu’il a mangé était délicieux. (The cake that he ate was delicious.) [no agreement because “gâteau” is masculine and singular]
Special Cases and Exceptions:
When the auxiliary verb is “avoir” and the direct object is placed after the verb, the past participle does not agree with the direct object.
- Example: J’ai mangé les pommes. (I ate the apples.)
However, in literary or formal language, agreement with the direct object after “avoir” may occur, especially when the direct object is a pronoun.
- Example: Les pommes que j’ai mangées. (The apples that I ate.)
Common Pitfalls and Mistakes
Here are some common errors and misconceptions related to subjunctive usage in French:
Overuse of the Subjunctive: Learners sometimes use the subjunctive mood excessively, especially when expressing desires or wishes that are statements of fact. It is important to recognize when the indicative mood is more appropriate.
Incorrect Conjugation: Conjugating verbs incorrectly in the subjunctive mood is a common mistake. This can include using the wrong stem or mixing up endings, particularly with irregular verbs.
Misunderstanding Trigger Phrases: Some learners struggle to recognize when to use the subjunctive based on trigger phrases or expressions. This can lead to inappropriate mood selection in sentences.
Misplacement of Subjunctive Clauses: Placing the subjunctive clause incorrectly within a sentence can alter its intended meaning. Learners should ensure proper positioning of the subjunctive clause about the main verb.
Here are some common instances where the indicative mood is mistakenly used instead of the subjunctive:
Statements of Fact: The indicative mood expresses facts, certainties, or habitual actions. However, learners sometimes use the indicative instead of the subjunctive after expressions of doubt, uncertainty, or emotion.
For example:
Incorrect: Je suis sûr que tu vas réussir. (I’m sure that you will succeed.)
Correct: Je doute que tu réussisses. (I doubt that you will succeed.)
Expressions of Necessity or Demand: Verbs expressing necessity, obligation, or demand often require the subjunctive mood. Using the indicative instead can lead to incorrect interpretation:
Incorrect: Il est nécessaire que tu viens maintenant. (It’s necessary that you come now.)
Correct: Il est nécessaire que tu viennes maintenant. (It’s necessary that you come now.)
Wishes and Desires: When expressing wishes, desires, or hopes, the subjunctive conveys uncertainty or unreality. Using the indicative in such cases can lead to confusion:
Incorrect: Je veux que tu viens avec moi. (I want you to come with me.)
Correct: Je veux que tu viennes avec moi. (I want you to come with me.)
Uncertain Conditions: Conditional clauses expressing uncertainty or hypothetical situations require the subjunctive mood. Using the indicative instead can change the meaning:
Incorrect: Si tu es là, je suis content. (If you are here, I am happy.)
Correct: Si tu étais là, je serais content. (If you were here, I would be happy.)
To learn more fascinating things about French, read our blog on Common French verbs that are also nouns.
Conclusion
The subjunctive mood in French grammar plays a vital role in expressing uncertainty, emotion, desire, and hypothetical situations. Its usage adds depth and nuance to communication, allowing speakers to convey subtle shades of meaning and precisely express their thoughts. However, mastering the subjunctive can be challenging due to its complex conjugation patterns and nuanced triggers.
Despite its difficulty, understanding and correctly applying the subjunctive is essential for achieving fluency in French and effectively expressing oneself in various contexts. Therefore, while daunting, grasping the intricacies of subjunctive usage is well worth it for anyone aiming to communicate accurately and eloquently in French.
At La Forêt, we recognize the importance of expert guidance in navigating such complex topics. That’s why we offer a comprehensive DELF course designed to help you excel in your language journey. Our experienced teachers are committed to providing personalized instruction and support, ensuring that you feel confident and prepared to tackle the subjunctive and other challenging aspects of the DELF exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between subjunctive and infinitive in French?
Subjunctive Mood:
The subjunctive mood expresses uncertainty, doubt, desire, emotion, or hypothetical situations. It is often triggered by certain expressions or verbs that convey these notions. The subjunctive mood has different conjugation patterns depending on tense and person.
Example: Il faut que tu viennes (It is necessary that you come).
Infinitive:
The infinitive form of a verb is the unconjugated form that expresses the action or state without reference to a specific subject. It is often used after modal verbs, certain expressions, or as the complement of other verbs. The infinitive form remains unchanged regardless of the subject or tense.
Example: Je veux venir avec toi (I want to come with you).
Q: When not to use subjunctive in French?
In French, the subjunctive mood is not used in certain situations where the indicative mood or other constructions are more appropriate:
Statements of Fact: The subjunctive mood is used to express uncertainty, doubt, or desire, so it is not used to state facts or certainties. In such cases, the indicative mood is used instead.
Example: Il est certain qu’il viendra demain. (It is certain that he will come tomorrow.)
Direct Commands: Direct commands or requests generally do not require the subjunctive mood. Instead, the imperative mood is used for direct commands.
Example: Viens ici! (Come here!)
After Certain Conjunctions: Some conjunctions, such as après que (after), lorsque (when), and dès que (as soon as), do not require the subjunctive mood when referring to actions that have already occurred or are viewed as certain.
Example: Il partira dès qu’il aura fini son travail. (He will leave as soon as he finishes his work.)
Expressions of Certainty: Expressions of certainty or knowledge do not take the subjunctive mood. Instead, the indicative mood is used.
Example: Je sais qu’il est à la maison. (I know that he is at home.)
Certain Modal Verbs: Modal verbs such as pouvoir (can), devoir (must), and savoir (to know) do not trigger the subjunctive mood.
Example: Je peux venir demain. (I can come tomorrow.)
Q: What phrases use ubjunctive in French?
Several phrases and expressions in French commonly trigger the use of the subjunctive mood. Here are some examples:
Expressions of Necessity or Obligation:
Il est important que (It’s important that)
Il est nécessaire que (It’s necessary that)
Expressions of Emotion or Feeling:
Je suis content(e) que (I’m glad that)
Je suis triste que (I’m sad that)
Expressions of Doubt or Uncertainty:
Je doute que (I doubt that)
Il est possible que (It is possible that)
Expressions of Wishing, Desiring, or Hoping:
Je veux que (I want that)
Je désire que (I desire that)
