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SUBJUNCTIVE
Definition: The subjunctive is used generally in a subordinate clause (in other words, after the word que or some other conjuctions) where the preceding main clause requires the subjunctive. Like in English, French requires the subjunctive where the main clause expresses some doubt, wishing or emotion.
The subjunctive mood is used to express actions which are subjective: will/wanting, emotion, doubt, possibility, necessity, judgment. It is nearly always found in dependent clauses introduced by que or qui. The subjects of the dependent and main clauses are usually different.
The subjunctive is used when the main clause expresses subjectivity.
When we use the Subjunctive:
- Verbs/expressions of will which express an order, a need, a piece of advice, or a want.
| aimer mieux que |
to prefer that |
| désirer que |
to desire that |
| donner l'ordre que |
to order that |
| exiger que |
to demand that |
| ordonner que |
to order that |
| préférer que |
to prefer that |
| proposer que |
to propose that |
| souhaiter que |
to wish that |
| suggérer que |
to suggest that |
| vouloir que |
to want that |
| il est à souhaiter que |
it is to be hoped |
| il est essentiel que |
it is essential |
| il est important que |
it is important that |
| il est naturel que |
it is natural |
| il est nécessaire que |
it is necessary that |
| il est normal que |
it is normal that |
| il est temps que |
it is time that |
| il faut que |
it is necessary that |
| il est urgent que |
it is urgent |
| il vaut mieux que |
it is better that |
- Verbs/expressions of emotion or feeling which indicate fear, happiness, anger, regret, surprise, or other sentiments.
| avoir peur que |
to be afraid that |
| craindre que |
to fear that |
| être content que |
to be happy that |
| être désolé que |
to be sorry that |
| être étonné que |
to be amazed that |
| être heureux que |
to be happy that |
| être surpris que |
to be surprised that |
| être triste que |
to be sad that |
| il est bizarre que |
it is odd |
| il est bon que |
it is good that |
| il est dommage que |
it is too bad that |
| il est étonnant que |
it is amazing that |
| il est étrange que |
it is strange |
| il est heureux que |
it is fortunate |
| il est honteux que |
it is shameful that |
| il est inutile que |
it is useless that |
| il est rare que |
it is rare that |
| il est regrettable que |
it is regrettable that |
| il est surprenant que |
it is surprising |
| il est utile que |
it is useful that |
| regretter que |
to regret that |
- Verbs/expressions of doubt, possibility, and opinion
| détester que |
to hate |
| douter que |
to doubt |
| il est convenable que |
it is proper/fitting |
| il est douteux que |
it is doubtful that |
| il est faux que |
it is false |
| il est impossible que |
it is impossible that |
| il est improbable que |
it is improbable that |
| il est juste que |
it is right/fair |
| il est possible que |
it is possible that |
| il est peu probable que |
it is improbable that |
| il n'est pas certain que |
it is not certain that |
| il n'est pas clair que |
it is not clear that |
| il n'est pas évident que |
it is not obvious that |
| il n'est pas probable que |
it is improbable that |
| il n'est pas sûr que |
it is not certain that |
| il n'est pas vrai que |
it is not true that |
| il semble que |
it seems that |
| il se peut que |
it may be that |
| le fait que |
the fact that |
| nier que |
to deny |
- The following conjunctions
| à condition que |
provided that |
| à moins que |
unless |
| afin que |
so that |
| avant que |
before |
| bien que |
although |
| de crainte que |
for fear that |
| de peur que |
for fear that |
| en attendant que |
while, until |
| jusqu'à ce que |
until |
| pour que |
so that |
| pourvu que |
provided that |
| quoique |
even though |
| quoi que |
whatever, no matter what |
| sans que |
without |
Note: The following conjunctions do not take the subjunctive, because they express facts which are considered certain:
| ainsi que |
just as, so as |
| alors que |
while, whereas |
| après que |
after, when |
| aussitôt que |
as soon as |
| car |
since, because |
| en même temps que |
at the same time that |
| depuis que |
since |
| dès que |
as soon as, immediately |
| lorsque |
when |
| parce que |
because |
| pendant que |
while |
| plutôt que |
instead of, rather than |
| puisque |
since, as |
| quand |
when |
| tandis que |
while, whereas |
| une fois que |
once |
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 French Grammar
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