LE SUBJONCTIF
Subjunctive is a mood just like the indicative mood and the conditional mood (each mood has different tenses present, past )
The subjunctive mood expresses the speaker s subjective attitudes toward events and actions or states the speaker s views as uncertain or hypothetical.
How to form the present subjunctive The je,tu,il,elle,ils,elles come from taking the ils/elles form of the present, take off the ent and add Je e nous ions ** the nous Tu es vous iez and vous come Il/elle -e from the ils/elles ent imparfait
parler finir attendre Je parle Tu parles Il parle Nous parlions Vous parliez Ils parlent Je finisse Tu finisses Il finisse Nous finissions Vous finissiez Ils finissent Je attende Tu attendes Il attende Nous attendions Vous attendiez Ils attendent ** the nous and vous form are the same as the imparfait.
venir prendre boire Je vienne Tu viennes Il vienne Nous venions Vous veniez Ils viennent Je prenne Tu prennes Il prenne Nous prenions Vous preniez Ils prennent Je boive Tu boives Il boive Nous buvions Vous buviez Ils boivent ** the nous and vous form are the same as the imparfait.
In order to use the subjunctive, you need to have two clauses connected by que. The two clauses also need to have two different subjects. There are different contexts of when to use the subjunctive.
The following impersonal expressions of opinions are often followed by clauses in the subjunctive. Use que with a specific person or thing. If no specific person of thing is mentioned, then use de followed by an infinitive.
Il est bon que = it is good that Il est dommage que = it is a shame that Il est essentiel que = it is essential that Il est important que = it is important that Il est indispensable que = it is essential that Il est nécessaire que = it is necessary that Il est possible que = it is possible that Il faut que = one must / it is necessary that Il vaut mieux que = it is better that
Il est essentiel qu on réduise le gaspillage. (it is essential that we reduce waste.) But Il est essentiel de réduire le gaspillage. (it is essential to reduce waste.) Il faut qu on ferme l usine. (we must close the factory.) But Il faut fermer l usine. (we must close the factory.)
LE SUBJONCTIF PART 2
Remember, that there needs to be two clauses with two different subjects. Expression of will and emotion will also take the subjunctive.
Here are some verbs and expressions of will that use the subjunctive: Demander que = to ask that Désirer que = to want / desire that Exiger que = to demand that Préférer que = to prefer that Proposer que = to propose that Recommender que = to recommend that Souhaiter que = to wish that Suggérer que = to suggest that Vouloir que = to want that
Here are some verbs and expressions of emotions that use the subjunctive: aimer que = to like that Avoir peur que = to be afraid that Être content(e) que = to be glad that Être désolé(e) que = to be sorry that Être furieux / furieuse que = to be furious that Être heureux / heureuse que = to be happy that Être surprise(e) que = to be surprised that Être triste que = to be sad that regretter que = to regret that
If there aren t two different subjects then the infinitive is used. When avoir peur, regretter and the être expressions are used with an infinitive then add de before the infinive. Examples: J ai peur de voir un serpent. Nous sommes heureux d aller en vacances.
avoir être faire J aie Tu aies Il aie Nous ayons Vous ayez Ils aient Je sois Tu sois Il soit Nous soyons Vous soyez Ils soient Je fasse Tu fasses Il fasse Nous fassions Vous fassiez Ils fassent
LE SUBJONCTIF PART 3
Remember, that there needs to be two clauses with two different subjects. Impersonal expressions of opinions, expression of will and emotion will take the subjunctive so far.
Expressions of doubt, disbelief, and uncertainty use subjunctive. Douter que Ne pas croire que Ne pas penser que Il est douteux que to doubt that not to believe that not to think that it is doubtful that
il est impossible que it is impossible that il n est pas certain que it is uncertain that il n est pas sûr que il n est pas vrai que it is not sure that it is untrue that
Je doute que ce concert soit bon. I doubt that this concert is good. Il n est pas sûr qu il ait un entracte. It s not sure that there is an intermission. Je ne crois pas qu on vende les billets ici. I don t believe that they sell tickets here.
Expressions of certainty use indicative. croire que Penser que Savoir que Il est certain que to believe that to think that to know that it is certain that
il est clair que il est évident que il est sûr que il est vrai que it is clear that it is evident that it is sure that it is true that
On sait que l histoire finit mal. We know the story ends badly. Il est certain qu elle comprend. It is certain that she understands.
Sometimes certainty expressions used in a question can feel doubtful or uncertain, so the subjunctive will be used. Crois-tu que cet acteur fasse un bon Charles de Gaulle? Do you believe that this actor makes a good Charles de Gaulle? Est-il vrai que vous partiez déjà en vacances? Is it true that you re already leaving on vacation?
aller j aille tu ailles il aille nous allions vous alliez elles aillent pouvoir je puisse tu puisses il puisse nous puissions vous puissiez elles puissent
savoir je sache tu saches il sache nous sachions vous sachiez elles sachent vouloir je veuille tu veuilles il veuille nous voulions vous vouliez elles veuillent