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French Subjunctive Mood Overview
The French subjunctive mood (subjonctif) expresses subjectivity, doubt, emotion, necessity, and uncertainty. Unlike the indicative mood, which states facts, the subjunctive expresses personal opinions, feelings, and hypothetical situations.
The subjunctive is typically used after que (that) and is triggered by specific expressions that convey doubt, emotion, necessity, or subjectivity.
Examples
Il faut que tu viennes.
You must come. (necessity)
Je doute qu'il comprenne.
I doubt he understands. (doubt)
Je suis heureux que vous soyez là.
I'm happy that you are here. (emotion)
Present Subjunctive Formation
The present subjunctive is formed by taking the ils/elles form of the present indicative, dropping -ent, and adding subjunctive endings.
Formula: ils/elles form - ent + subjunctive endings
Example: ils parlent → parl- → que je parle
Subjunctive Endings
All verbs use the same subjunctive endings:
Present Subjunctive Endings
| Pronoun | Conjugation | English |
|---|---|---|
| que je | -e | that I |
| que tu | -es | that you |
| qu'il/elle/on | -e | that he/she/one |
| que nous | -ions | that we |
| que vous | -iez | that you |
| qu'ils/elles | -ent | that they |
parler → ils parlent → que je parle, que tu parles...
to speak → they speak → that I speak, that you speak...
Regular Subjunctive Examples
Examples of subjunctive formation for each verb group:
Parler (to speak) - Present Subjunctive
| Pronoun | Conjugation | English |
|---|---|---|
| que je | parle | that I speak |
| que tu | parles | that you speak |
| qu'il/elle/on | parle | that he/she/one speaks |
| que nous | parlions | that we speak |
| que vous | parliez | that you speak |
| qu'ils/elles | parlent | that they speak |
Il faut que je finisse mes devoirs.
I must finish my homework. (finir)
Je veux que vous vendiez la voiture.
I want you to sell the car. (vendre)
Irregular Subjunctive Verbs
Some common verbs have irregular subjunctive forms that must be memorized:
Most Common Irregular Subjunctives
These verbs have completely irregular subjunctive forms:
Être (to be) - Subjunctive
| Pronoun | Conjugation | English |
|---|---|---|
| que je | sois | that I be |
| que tu | sois | that you be |
| qu'il/elle/on | soit | that he/she/one be |
| que nous | soyons | that we be |
| que vous | soyez | that you be |
| qu'ils/elles | soient | that they be |
Je suis content que tu sois là.
I'm happy that you are here.
Il faut que nous soyons à l'heure.
We must be on time.
Other Important Irregular Subjunctives
More irregular subjunctive forms to memorize:
Common Irregular Subjunctives
| Pronoun | Conjugation | English |
|---|---|---|
| avoir (to have) | que j'aie, que tu aies, qu'il ait... | that I have... |
| aller (to go) | que j'aille, que tu ailles, qu'il aille... | that I go... |
| faire (to do) | que je fasse, que tu fasses, qu'il fasse... | that I do... |
| pouvoir (can) | que je puisse, que tu puisses, qu'il puisse... | that I can... |
| savoir (to know) | que je sache, que tu saches, qu'il sache... | that I know... |
| vouloir (to want) | que je veuille, que tu veuilles, qu'il veuille... | that I want... |
Je doute qu'il ait raison.
I doubt he is right.
Il faut que j'aille chez le médecin.
I must go to the doctor.
Je ne pense pas qu'elle puisse venir.
I don't think she can come.
When to Use the Subjunctive
The subjunctive is used after certain expressions that convey:
1. Necessity/Obligation: Il faut que, il est nécessaire que
2. Doubt/Uncertainty: Je doute que, il est possible que
3. Emotion/Feeling: Je suis content que, j'ai peur que
4. Opinion/Judgment: Il vaut mieux que, il est important que
5. Will/Desire: Je veux que, j'aimerais que
Examples
Il faut que tu études plus.
You must study more. (necessity)
Je doute qu'il vienne.
I doubt he will come. (doubt)
Je suis triste qu'elle parte.
I'm sad that she is leaving. (emotion)
Il vaut mieux que vous restiez.
It's better that you stay. (judgment)
Je veux que tu comprennes.
I want you to understand. (will)
Subjunctive Triggers
Certain expressions consistently trigger the subjunctive mood:
Necessity: Il faut que, il est nécessaire que, il est essentiel que
Doubt: Je doute que, il est possible que, il se peut que
Emotion: Je suis content/triste que, j'ai peur que, je regrette que
Opinion: Il vaut mieux que, il est important que, il est bizarre que
Will: Je veux que, j'aimerais que, je préfère que
Examples
Il est nécessaire que vous compreniez.
It's necessary that you understand.
Il se peut qu'il pleuve.
It might rain.
J'ai peur qu'elle soit malade.
I'm afraid she might be sick.
Il est bizarre qu'il ne réponde pas.
It's strange that he doesn't answer.
Subjunctive vs Indicative
The choice between subjunctive and indicative depends on the main clause:
Subjunctive: After expressions of doubt, emotion, necessity, subjectivity
Indicative: After expressions of certainty, fact, belief
Key: If the main clause expresses certainty or fact, use indicative. If it expresses doubt, emotion, or subjectivity, use subjunctive.
Examples
Je pense qu'il viendra. (certainty - indicative)
I think he will come.
Je doute qu'il vienne. (doubt - subjunctive)
I doubt he will come.
Je sais qu'elle est là. (fact - indicative)
I know she is there.
Je suis content qu'elle soit là. (emotion - subjunctive)
I'm happy she is there.
Avoiding the Subjunctive
Sometimes you can avoid the subjunctive by restructuring the sentence:
1. Use infinitive: When the subject is the same in both clauses
2. Use different expressions: Choose expressions that don't require subjunctive
3. Change the structure: Rephrase to avoid "que" clauses
This is useful when you're unsure about subjunctive forms.
Examples
Je veux partir. (same subject - infinitive)
I want to leave.
Je veux que tu partes. (different subjects - subjunctive)
I want you to leave.
Il est probable qu'il viendra. (indicative)
He will probably come.
Il est possible qu'il vienne. (subjunctive)
He might come.