Subjunctive – subjonctif
Let's Define It!
What's the *subjunctive*?
The subjunctive is a mood (le mode subjonctif) used to express doubt, a wish, an uncertain action not yet completed at the moment we are talking.
The subjunctive is used with specific verbs or expressions indicating a want or a wish, desire, emotion, obligation, doubt or uncertainty. For example:
- J'aimerais que tu viennes ici.
- Nous doutons qu'il soit là demain.
- Il est possible qu'il pleuve ce soir.
In order to conjugate a verb in the subjunctive, you must place que in front of the verb. In other words, the subjunctive is used mainly in subordinate clauses. For example:
...que nous parlions; ...que vous parliez ; ...qu'il ait; ...qu'ils viennent.
As a mood (le mode subjonctif), the subjunctive contains 4 tenses:
- present (present du subjonctif),
- past (passé du subjonctif),
- imperfect (imparfait du subjonctif) and
- past perfect (plus-que-parfait).
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Let's Pronounce It!
What does it sound like in French?
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Let's Have an Example or Two!
Can a little reinforcement do the trick?
Here are a few sentences in the subjunctive (underlined and in bold for your convenience).
Il faut que vous soyez à l'heure. You must be on time.
Je suis désolé que tu aies échoué à ton examen.
Elle souhaite que son mari revienne de la guerre sain et sauf.
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