Verbs: Subjunctive Mood

01

Forming the Regular Subjunctive

For most verbs, the subjunctive stem is derived from the third-person plural (ils/elles) form of the present indicative. You remove the -ent ending and add the specific subjunctive endings:

• -e
• -es
• -e
• -ions
• -iez
• -ent

For regular -er verbs, the singular forms (je, tu, il) look identical to the present indicative, while the nous and vous forms resemble the imperfect tense.

• Il faut que je parle français.

  It is necessary that I speak French.

• Je préfère que tu finisses tes devoirs.

  I prefer that you finish your homework.

02

The Two-Subject Rule

A crucial requirement for using the subjunctive is a change of subject between the main clause and the dependent clause. If the subject is the same for both verbs, the second verb remains in the infinitive form and que is not used.

• Je veux partir.

  I want to leave. (Same subject: I want, I leave)

• Je veux que tu partes.

  I want you to leave. (Different subjects: I want, you leave)

03

Expressing Necessity and Will

Verbs and impersonal expressions indicating orders, preferences, desires, or requirements trigger the subjunctive in the following clause. This includes expressions like il faut que it is necessary that, vouloir que to want that, and exiger que to demand that.

• Il est important que nous soyons à l'heure.

  It is important that we be on time.

• Elle exige qu'il réponde immédiatement.

  She demands that he answer immediately.

04

Expressing Emotion and Doubt

The subjunctive is required after expressions of fear, happiness, sadness, anger, or surprise. It emphasizes the emotional reaction to the event rather than the event itself. Similarly, expressions of doubt or uncertainty trigger this mood.

• Je suis triste qu'il soit malade.

  I am sad that he is sick.

• Je doute qu'ils viennent demain.

  I doubt that they are coming tomorrow.

05

Certainty vs. Uncertainty

Verbs of opinion (like penser, croire, espérer) generally take the indicative mood when used affirmatively because they express a belief or certainty held by the speaker. However, when these verbs are used negatively or interrogatively, they introduce doubt, often triggering the subjunctive.

• Je pense qu'il est prêt.

  I think he is ready. (Indicative: Certainty)

• Je ne pense pas qu'il soit prêt.

  I don't think he is ready. (Subjunctive: Doubt)

06

Common Irregular Verbs

Several high-frequency verbs have irregular stems in the subjunctive and do not follow the standard derivation pattern. These must be memorized individually.

• être (to be): sois, sois, soit, soyons, soyez, soient
• avoir (to have): aie, aies, ait, ayons, ayez, aient
• aller (to go): aille, ailles, aille, allions, alliez, aillent
• faire (to do/make): fasse, fasses, fasse, fassions, fassiez, fassent

• Il faut que je sois fort.

  It is necessary that I be strong.

• Je ne crois pas qu'il ait raison.

  I don't believe he is right.