Introduction to the subjonctive (subjunctive) in French
The subjunctive mood (it is not really a tense, but a mood) in French, as well as in many other languages, is used to express uncertainty, doubt, emotion, desire, necessity, or hypothetical situations. This seems like a lot, but let’s make it more practical.
You often use the subjunctive mood without realizing it. Let’s have a look at some examples in English. In English, the subjunctive mood is less distinct, but it’s still present. For example:
- I suggest that he go to the party (subjunctive mood)
- She demands that he be present (subjunctive mood)
- If I were you, I’d leave (subjunctive mood)
In English you don’t know that you are using the subjunctive because the conjugation doesn’t change. In French, the subjunctive is more clearly defined and used in a wider range of contexts. It’s commonly used after que, for example in expressions like il faut que (it’s necessary that), il est important que (it’s important that), je veux que (I want that). For example:
- Il faut que tu viennes demain
- You must come tomorrow
- Je veux que tu finisses ton travail
- I want you to finish your work
- Il est important que nous soyons à l’heure
- It’s important that we be on time
In each of these examples, the subjunctive mood is used to express a degree of uncertainty, necessity, desire, or emotion. Furthermore, the subjunctive is mostly used in so called dependent clauses, also known as a subordinate clause. These are the parts of a sentence that come after que. If you apply that to the sentence above
On BonjourBistroFrench we have articles about four different subjunctives. The present and past subjunctive are important to learn because they are used often, but you can skip the imperfect and pluperfect and still be able to speak fluent French.
- The present subjunctive (subjonctif présent)
- The past subjunctive (subjonctif passé)
- The imperfect subjunctive (imparfait du subjonctif)
- The pluperfect subjunctive (subjonctif plus-que-parfait)
When do you use the subjunctive
It’s a bit difficult to narrow down al the instances in which you can use the subjunctive completely, but if you understand the subjects and examples below you have a good understanding of what it means in daily live and how to use it.
- Wishes and desires
- Doubt and uncertainty
- Emotions and feelings
- Certain impersonal expressions
- Expressions of necessity, obligation, or advice
- Wishes and desires: When expressing a wish, desire, or hope.
- Je veux que tu puisses réussir
- I want you to succeed
- Il faut que nous ayons de la patience.
- We must have patience
- Doubt and uncertainty: When expressing doubt, uncertainty, or denial.
- Je doute qu’il vienne demain.
- I doubt he’ll come tomorrow
- Il est possible que ce projet échoue
- It’s possible that this project will fail
- Emotions and feelings: When expressing emotions, feelings, or reactions.
- Je suis content que tu sois là
- I’m glad you’re here
- Il est triste que tu ne viennes pas
- It’s sad that you’re not coming
- Impersonal expressions: After certain impersonal expressions, such as il est nécessaire que (it’s necessary that), il est important que (it’s important that).
- Il est important que tu fasses attention
- It’s important that you pay attention
- Il est nécessaire que nous partions tôt
- It’s necessary that we leave early
- Expressions of necessity, obligation, or advice: After expressions of necessity, obligation, or advice.
- Il faut que tu finisses ce travail
- You must finish this work
- Il est nécessaire que tu prépares bien ton examen
- It’s necessary that you prepare well for your exam
- After certain conjunctions and relative pronouns: After certain conjunctions like bien que (although), pour que (so that), afin que (so that), and after relative pronouns like que (that), qui (who/whom), quoi que (whatever), etc.
- Je ferai tout pour que tu sois heureux
- I’ll do everything so that you’re happy
- Je veux un livre qui soit intéressant
- I want a book that is interesting
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