The Subjunctive Mood (Le Subjonctif)
Understanding the “Subjunctive” Mood
The subjunctive (le subjonctif) is a verb mood used to express doubt, emotion, necessity, possibility, will, or judgment. It is not a tense, but a mood, and can be used in the present, past, and (rarely) future.
When to Use the Subjunctive
- After expressions of necessity, doubt, emotion, desire, or possibility.
- After certain conjunctions (e.g., bien que, pour que, afin que).
- In dependent clauses introduced by que when the main clause expresses subjectivity.
How to Form the Subjunctive
1. Present Subjunctive (Subjonctif Présent)
- Take the third person plural (ils/elles) form of the present indicative, remove the -ent, and add the endings: -e, -es, -e, -ions, -iez, -ent.
Examples: - parler → que je parle, que tu parles, qu’il/elle parle, que nous parlions, que vous parliez, qu’ils/elles parlent - finir → que je finisse, que tu finisses, qu’il/elle finisse, que nous finissions, que vous finissiez, qu’ils/elles finissent - prendre → que je prenne, que tu prennes, qu’il/elle prenne, que nous prenions, que vous preniez, qu’ils/elles prennent
2. Past Subjunctive (Subjonctif Passé)
- Use the present subjunctive of avoir or être + past participle.
Examples: - que j’aie parlé (that I spoke) - que tu sois allé(e) (that you went) - qu’il ait fini (that he finished)
3. Future Subjunctive (Subjonctif Futur)
- The future subjunctive is extremely rare in modern French and is generally replaced by the present or past subjunctive. In literary or very formal contexts, you may see forms like qu’il ait parlé to refer to a future action after a conjunction.
Examples of Usage
- Il faut que tu fasses tes devoirs. (You must do your homework.)
- Je doute qu’il vienne ce soir. (I doubt he is coming tonight.)
- Bien que nous soyons fatigués, nous continuons. (Although we are tired, we continue.)
- Je veux que tu aies fini avant midi. (I want you to have finished before noon.)
Exercises
1. Conjugate the following verbs in the present subjunctive (je form):
- parler →
- finir →
- prendre →
- aller →
- avoir →
- faire →
- pouvoir →
- savoir →
- venir →
- voir →
2. Complete the sentences with the correct present subjunctive form:
- Il faut que tu (venir) __________.
- Je veux que nous (être) __________ à l’heure.
- Bien qu’il (faire) __________ froid, il sort.
- Je doute qu’elle (voir) __________ le film.
- Il est possible que vous (pouvoir) __________ venir.
- Il faut que j’ (avoir) __________ du courage.
- Je souhaite qu’il (savoir) __________ la vérité.
- Il est important que tu (prendre) __________ soin de toi.
- Bien que nous (aller) __________ vite, nous sommes en retard.
- Je crains qu’ils ne (finir) __________ pas à temps.
3. Complete with the correct past subjunctive form:
- Je suis content que tu (finir) __________ à temps.
- Il est possible qu’ils (partir) __________ avant midi.
- Je doute qu’elle (faire) __________ ses devoirs.
- Nous sommes heureux que vous (venir) __________.
- Il est dommage que j’ (oublier) __________ le livre.
- Je regrette que tu (ne pas voir) __________ ce spectacle.
- Il est surprenant qu’il (avoir) __________ autant de succès.
- Je doute que nous (pouvoir) __________ finir à l’heure.
- Il est heureux que vous (savoir) __________ la réponse.
- Je crains qu’ils (prendre) __________ la mauvaise route.
4. Translate into French using the subjunctive (present or past):
- I want you to come.
- I doubt that he finished.
- Although we are tired, we continue.
- It is possible that they left.
- I am happy that you have come.
- I am afraid that she did not see the message.
- I want us to finish early.
- It is necessary that you be on time.
- I doubt that they understood.
- Although he is sick, he works.
To Consolidate Your Learning
Write a short paragraph (3-5 sentences) explaining how and when to use the subjunctive in French. Use your own words and, if possible, give an example for the present and past subjunctive.
Write your sentences here:
-
Present Subjunctive:
1.
2.
3. -
Past Subjunctive:
1.
2.
3.