A2
The subjunctive, and when you cannot avoid it
How the French subjunctive is formed, the triggers that require it, and why it is easier than its reputation.
The subjunctive is not something you choose. Certain expressions are followed by que, and the verb after that que has to take this form.
Forming it
Take the ils form of the present, drop -ent, add the endings. The nous and vous forms are borrowed from the imperfect.
| que je parle | |
| que tu parles | |
| qu’il / elle parle | |
| que nous parlions | |
| que vous parliez | |
| qu’ils / elles parlent |
For most -er verbs, four of the six are identical to the present. A great deal of the subjunctive is invisible.
The expressions that force it
| il faut que | it is necessary that |
| je veux que | I want … to |
| il est important que | |
| bien que | although |
| avant que | before |
| pour que | so that |
Il faut que tu partes.
it is-necessary that you leave
You have to go.
Je veux que tu viennes.
I want that you come
I want you to come.
Note the second: French has no want someone to do something construction. It must go through que.
Je veux toi venir.
Je veux que tu viennes.
French cannot put an object between vouloir and an infinitive. Where the two subjects differ, the sentence needs que and the subjunctive.
When both halves share a subject, no que and no subjunctive: je veux venir.
The irregular ones are the usual suspects
Être → que je sois. Avoir → que j’aie. Aller → que j’aille. Faire → que je fasse. Pouvoir → que je puisse. Savoir → que je sache.
Il faut que je sois à l’heure.
it is-necessary that I be at the-hour
I have to be on time.
After thinking, only in the negative
Je pense qu’il vient takes the indicative. Je ne pense pas qu’il vienne takes the subjunctive, because the doubt is what triggers it.
il faut plus an infinitive avoids it entirely
Il faut partir.
it is-necessary to-leave
We have to go.
When it does not matter who, the infinitive is shorter and completely natural.