How To Form The Subjunctive In French

Forming the Subjunctive in French: A Comprehensive Guide

The subjunctive (le subjonctif) is a mood in French used to express subjectivity, uncertainty, emotion, doubt, necessity, or possibility. It's crucial for conveying nuanced meanings in various contexts. Mastering the subjunctive allows you to express opinions, desires, and hypothetical situations more accurately. This comprehensive guide provides a detailed explanation of how to form the subjunctive in French, complete with examples and practical tips.

Introduction to the Subjunctive Mood

The subjunctive mood is not a tense but a mood, which means it expresses the speaker's attitude toward an action or state. It's typically used in subordinate clauses introduced by que or qui. Understanding when to use the subjunctive and how to form it are key to achieving fluency in French.

Key Uses: Expressing doubt, desire, emotion, necessity, or possibility.
Structure: Usually found in subordinate clauses following certain verbs or conjunctions.

Regular Subjunctive Formation

The regular subjunctive formation is based on the third-person plural (ils/elles) form of the present tense. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Start with the Ils/Elles Form of the Present Tense: Take the third-person plural form of the verb in the present indicative.
Drop the -ent Ending: Remove the -ent ending from the present tense form.
Add the Subjunctive Endings: Add the appropriate subjunctive endings to the stem.

The subjunctive endings are as follows:

-e
-es
-e
-ions
-iez
-ent

Let's illustrate with some examples:

Parler (to speak):
- Present indicative (ils/elles): parlent
- Drop -ent: parl-
- Subjunctive forms:
  - que je parle
  - que tu parles
  - qu'il/elle/on parle
  - que nous parlions
  - que vous parliez
  - qu'ils/elles parlent
Finir (to finish):
- Present indicative (ils/elles): finissent
- Drop -ent: finiss-
- Subjunctive forms:
  - que je finisse
  - que tu finisses
  - qu'il/elle/on finisse
  - que nous finissions
  - que vous finissiez
  - qu'ils/elles finissent
Vendre (to sell):
- Present indicative (ils/elles): vendent
- Drop -ent: vend-
- Subjunctive forms:
  - que je vende
  - que tu vendes
  - qu'il/elle/on vende
  - que nous vendions
  - que vous vendiez
  - qu'ils/elles vendent

Irregular Subjunctive Formation

While many verbs follow the regular pattern, some verbs have irregular subjunctive forms. These irregularities often stem from changes in the verb's stem or the use of completely different stems. Here are some of the most common irregular verbs in the subjunctive:

Être (to be):
- Subjunctive forms:
  - que je sois
  - que tu sois
  - qu'il/elle/on soit
  - que nous soyons
  - que vous soyez
  - qu'ils/elles soient
Avoir (to have):
- Subjunctive forms:
  - que j'aie
  - que tu aies
  - qu'il/elle/on ait
  - que nous ayons
  - que vous ayez
  - qu'ils/elles aient
Aller (to go):
- Subjunctive forms:
  - que j'aille
  - que tu ailles
  - qu'il/elle/on aille
  - que nous allions
  - que vous alliez
  - qu'ils/elles aillent
Faire (to do/make):
- Subjunctive forms:
  - que je fasse
  - que tu fasses
  - qu'il/elle/on fasse
  - que nous fassions
  - que vous fassiez
  - qu'ils/elles fassent
Savoir (to know):
- Subjunctive forms:
  - que je sache
  - que tu saches
  - qu'il/elle/on sache
  - que nous sachions
  - que vous sachiez
  - qu'ils/elles sachent
Pouvoir (to be able to):
- Subjunctive forms:
  - que je puisse
  - que tu puisses
  - qu'il/elle/on puisse
  - que nous puissions
  - que vous puissiez
  - qu'ils/elles puissent
Vouloir (to want):
- Subjunctive forms:
  - que je veuille
  - que tu veuilles
  - qu'il/elle/on veuille
  - que nous voulions
  - que vous vouliez
  - qu'ils/elles veuillent
Falloir (to be necessary):
- Subjunctive form:
  - qu'il faille (impersonal)

It's essential to memorize these irregular forms because they are frequently used in French.

Verbs with Stem Changes

Some verbs undergo stem changes in the subjunctive, similar to those in the present tense. Here are a few examples:

Acheter (to buy): The e in the stem changes to è in all forms except nous and vous.
- que j'achète
- que tu achètes
- qu'il/elle/on achète
- que nous achetions
- que vous achetiez
- qu'ils/elles achètent
Appeler (to call): The l in the stem doubles in all forms except nous and vous.
- que j'appelle
- que tu appelles
- qu'il/elle/on appelle
- que nous appelions
- que vous appeliez
- qu'ils/elles appellent
Espérer (to hope): The é in the stem changes to è in all forms except nous and vous.
- que j'espère
- que tu espères
- qu'il/elle/on espère
- que nous espérions
- que vous espériez
- qu'ils/elles espèrent

When to Use the Subjunctive

Knowing how to form the subjunctive is only half the battle; you also need to know when to use it. The subjunctive is typically used in subordinate clauses that follow certain verbs, expressions, or conjunctions. Here are some common scenarios:

Verbs Expressing Doubt, Uncertainty, or Negation:
- Douter que (to doubt that): Je doute qu'il vienne (I doubt that he is coming).
- Nier que (to deny that): Il nie qu'il ait fait cela (He denies that he did that).
- Il est douteux que (it is doubtful that): Il est douteux qu'elle réussisse (It is doubtful that she will succeed).
Verbs Expressing Emotion or Feeling:
- Être content(e) que (to be happy that): Je suis content qu'il soit là (I am happy that he is here).
- Être triste que (to be sad that): Elle est triste qu'il parte (She is sad that he is leaving).
- Avoir peur que (to be afraid that): Nous avons peur qu'il ne réussisse pas (We are afraid that he won't succeed). *Note the use of ne explétif in the last example, which is common after expressions of fear.
Verbs Expressing Will, Order, or Request:
- Vouloir que (to want that): Je veux que tu fasses tes devoirs (I want you to do your homework).
- Exiger que (to demand that): Il exige que nous soyons à l'heure (He demands that we be on time).
- Demander que (to ask that): Elle demande que vous veniez (She asks that you come).
- Il est essentiel que: Il est essentiel que tu sois à l'heure. (It is essential that you be on time.)
Verbs Expressing Judgment or Opinion (When Negative or Interrogative):
- Penser que (to think that): Use the subjunctive when negated or in a question expressing doubt.
  - Je ne pense pas qu'il vienne (I don't think he is coming).
  - Penses-tu qu'il vienne ? (Do you think he is coming?)
- Croire que (to believe that): Similar to penser que, use the subjunctive in negative or interrogative contexts.
  - Je ne crois pas qu'elle ait raison (I don't believe she is right).
  - Crois-tu qu'elle ait raison ? (Do you believe she is right?)
However, when penser que or croire que are used affirmatively to express a certainty, the indicative mood is used.
- Je pense qu'il viendra (I think he will come).
- Je crois qu'elle a raison (I believe she is right).
Impersonal Expressions:
- Il faut que (it is necessary that): Il faut que tu partes (It is necessary that you leave).
- Il est important que (it is important that): Il est important que vous soyez prudents (It is important that you be careful).
- Il est possible que (it is possible that): Il est possible qu'il pleuve (It is possible that it will rain).
- Il vaut mieux que (it is better that): Il vaut mieux que tu restes ici (It is better that you stay here).
Conjunctions:

Certain conjunctions always require the subjunctive in the clause they introduce. These include:
- Bien que (although): Bien qu'il soit fatigué, il travaille (Although he is tired, he is working).
- Afin que (so that): Je travaille afin qu'il réussisse (I work so that he succeeds).
- À moins que (unless): Je ne viendrai pas à moins qu'il ne fasse beau (I will not come unless the weather is nice). (Note the ne explétif.)
- Pour que (so that): Elle étudie pour qu'elle puisse réussir (She studies so that she can succeed).
- Avant que (before): Je partirai avant qu'il n'arrive (I will leave before he arrives). (Note the ne explétif.)
- Sans que (without): Il est parti sans que je le sache (He left without me knowing it).
- Quoique (although): Quoiqu'il soit riche, il est malheureux (Although he is rich, he is unhappy).
- Jusqu'à ce que (until): Attends ici jusqu'à ce que je revienne (Wait here until I come back).
- De peur que / De crainte que (for fear that): Elle a fermé la porte de peur qu'il n'entre (She closed the door for fear that he would enter). (Note the ne explétif.)

The Ne Explétif

The ne explétif is a grammatical particle that appears in subordinate clauses after certain verbs or expressions, particularly those expressing fear, doubt, or prevention. It doesn't have a negative meaning and is often optional, but its presence is considered more formal and grammatically correct.

Examples:
- J'ai peur qu'il ne vienne pas (I am afraid that he might not come).
- Je doute qu'il ne réussisse (I doubt that he will succeed).
- Empêcher quelqu'un de faire quelque chose (to prevent someone from doing something): J'empêche qu'il ne tombe (I prevent him from falling).

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using the Indicative Instead of the Subjunctive: This is a common error, especially for learners who are not yet familiar with the specific verbs and expressions that require the subjunctive.
Incorrect Subjunctive Endings: Make sure to learn the correct endings for each person (je, tu, il/elle/on, nous, vous, ils/elles).
Forgetting Irregular Forms: Irregular verbs like être, avoir, aller, faire, pouvoir, vouloir, and savoir have unique subjunctive forms that must be memorized.
Misusing Ne Explétif: Knowing when to include the ne explétif can be tricky. It's often used after verbs expressing fear, doubt, or prevention.
Confusing Penser que and Croire que: Remember that these verbs require the subjunctive only when negated or in a question expressing doubt.

Practical Exercises

To solidify your understanding of the subjunctive, try the following exercises:

Conjugation Practice: Conjugate the following verbs in the subjunctive: parler, finir, vendre, être, avoir, aller, faire, pouvoir, vouloir, savoir.
Sentence Completion: Complete the following sentences with the correct subjunctive form of the verb in parentheses:
- Il faut que tu ______ (venir) à l'heure.
- Je doute qu'il ______ (faire) beau demain.
- Elle est contente que vous ______ (être) ici.
- Bien qu'il ______ (être) fatigué, il continue à travailler.
- Je veux que tu ______ (faire) tes devoirs.
Translation: Translate the following sentences into French, using the subjunctive where necessary:
- I want you to be happy.
- It is necessary that you study.
- I doubt that he is telling the truth.
- She is afraid that he will be late.
- Although it is difficult, I will try.

Tips for Mastering the Subjunctive

Memorize Key Verbs and Expressions: Create a list of verbs, expressions, and conjunctions that require the subjunctive and study them regularly.
Practice Regularly: The more you practice, the more natural the subjunctive will become. Use online exercises, textbooks, or language partners to practice regularly.
Read and Listen to Authentic French: Pay attention to how native speakers use the subjunctive in books, articles, movies, and conversations.
Focus on Context: Understand the nuances of when to use the subjunctive by analyzing the context of each sentence.
Don't Be Afraid to Make Mistakes: Mistakes are a natural part of the learning process. Use them as opportunities to improve.

Conclusion

The subjunctive mood in French is an essential aspect of expressing subjectivity, emotion, and uncertainty. While it may seem daunting at first, mastering the subjunctive is achievable through understanding the rules of formation, memorizing irregular forms, and practicing regularly. By familiarizing yourself with the verbs, expressions, and conjunctions that require the subjunctive, you can enhance your ability to communicate effectively and accurately in French. Embrace the challenge and continue practicing, and you'll soon find yourself using the subjunctive with confidence and ease.