Understanding the subjunctive mood in French can be a bit daunting for language learners, but with the right approach, it is entirely manageable. The subjunctive mood is used to express doubt, emotion, necessity, or uncertainty—essentially, it conveys anything that is not a straightforward fact. This article will guide you through the rules and conjugations of the French subjunctive mood, providing you with the tools to use it correctly in your conversations and writing.
Introduction to the Subjunctive Mood
The subjunctive mood is one of the four moods in the French language, the others being the indicative, imperative, and conditional moods. While the indicative mood is used to express factual information and certainty, the subjunctive mood is used to convey subjectivity, uncertainty, or hypothetical situations. It is often found in subordinate clauses introduced by “que” (that).
When to Use the Subjunctive Mood
The subjunctive mood is typically used in the following contexts:
1. Expressions of Doubt or Uncertainty:
When the outcome or truth of the statement is uncertain:
– Je doute qu’il vienne. (I doubt that he will come.)
2. Expressions of Emotion:
When the speaker expresses feelings or emotions:
– Je suis heureux que tu sois ici. (I am happy that you are here.)
3. Expressions of Necessity or Obligation:
When something is necessary, obligatory, or important:
– Il faut que tu fasses tes devoirs. (You must do your homework.)
4. Expressions of Desire or Will:
When the speaker wants, wishes, or demands something:
– Je veux qu’il parte. (I want him to leave.)
5. After Certain Conjunctions:
Certain conjunctions inherently require the subjunctive:
– Bien que, pour que, afin que, avant que, jusqu’à ce que, etc.
– Bien que je sois fatigué, je vais sortir. (Although I am tired, I will go out.)
Forming the Subjunctive Mood
To form the subjunctive mood, you generally start with the third person plural (ils/elles) form of the present indicative, remove the -ent ending, and add the appropriate subjunctive endings. However, there are some exceptions and irregular verbs to be aware of.
Regular Subjunctive Conjugations
Let’s first look at regular verbs in the subjunctive mood. The endings for the subjunctive are -e, -es, -e, -ions, -iez, -ent. Here are examples for each verb group:
1. -ER Verbs:
Example: Parler (to speak)
– que je parle
– que tu parles
– qu’il/elle/on parle
– que nous parlions
– que vous parliez
– qu’ils/elles parlent
2. -IR Verbs:
Example: Finir (to finish)
– que je finisse
– que tu finisses
– qu’il/elle/on finisse
– que nous finissions
– que vous finissiez
– qu’ils/elles finissent
3. -RE Verbs:
Example: Vendre (to sell)
– que je vende
– que tu vendes
– qu’il/elle/on vende
– que nous vendions
– que vous vendiez
– qu’ils/elles vendent
Irregular Subjunctive Conjugations
Some verbs have irregular conjugations in the subjunctive mood. Here are some common examples:
1. Être (to be):
– que je sois
– que tu sois
– qu’il/elle/on soit
– que nous soyons
– que vous soyez
– qu’ils/elles soient
2. Avoir (to have):
– que j’aie
– que tu aies
– qu’il/elle/on ait
– que nous ayons
– que vous ayez
– qu’ils/elles aient
3. Aller (to go):
– que j’aille
– que tu ailles
– qu’il/elle/on aille
– que nous allions
– que vous alliez
– qu’ils/elles aillent
4. Faire (to do/make):
– que je fasse
– que tu fasses
– qu’il/elle/on fasse
– que nous fassions
– que vous fassiez
– qu’ils/elles fassent
5. Savoir (to know):
– que je sache
– que tu saches
– qu’il/elle/on sache
– que nous sachions
– que vous sachiez
– qu’ils/elles sachent
6. Pouvoir (to be able to):
– que je puisse
– que tu puisses
– qu’il/elle/on puisse
– que nous puissions
– que vous puissiez
– qu’ils/elles puissent
Common Expressions and Phrases Using the Subjunctive
Certain expressions and phrases frequently require the subjunctive mood. Here are some common ones:
1. Bien que:
– Bien que ce soit difficile, je vais essayer. (Although it is difficult, I will try.)
2. Pour que:
– Il travaille dur pour que ses enfants aient une bonne vie. (He works hard so that his children have a good life.)
3. Avant que:
– Pars avant qu’il ne pleuve. (Leave before it rains.)
4. Jusqu’à ce que:
– Attends ici jusqu’à ce que je revienne. (Wait here until I return.)
5. Afin que:
– Il étudie afin qu’il réussisse ses examens. (He studies so that he passes his exams.)
Subjunctive with Impersonal Expressions
Impersonal expressions also often require the subjunctive mood. These expressions generally start with “il” and are followed by a verb or adjective that expresses necessity, doubt, emotion, or opinion. Here are some examples:
1. Il est nécessaire que:
– Il est nécessaire que tu sois à l’heure. (It is necessary that you are on time.)
2. Il est important que:
– Il est important que nous finissions ce projet. (It is important that we finish this project.)
3. Il est possible que:
– Il est possible qu’elle vienne. (It is possible that she will come.)
4. Il semble que:
– Il semble que tu aies raison. (It seems that you are right.)
5. Il vaut mieux que:
– Il vaut mieux que nous partions maintenant. (It is better that we leave now.)
Subjunctive in Negative and Interrogative Sentences
The subjunctive mood is also used in negative and interrogative sentences when expressing doubt, emotion, necessity, or any form of subjectivity. Here are some examples:
1. Negative Sentences:
– Je ne pense pas qu’il vienne. (I do not think he is coming.)
– Il n’est pas certain que tu réussisses. (It is not certain that you will succeed.)
2. Interrogative Sentences:
– Penses-tu qu’il soit capable de le faire? (Do you think he is capable of doing it?)
– Croyez-vous que ce soit possible? (Do you believe that it is possible?)
Practice and Application
Understanding the subjunctive mood in theory is one thing, but applying it correctly in conversation and writing is another. Here are some tips and exercises to help you practice and master the subjunctive mood:
1. Sentence Transformation:
Take sentences from the indicative mood and transform them into the subjunctive mood. For example:
– Indicative: Il est certain que tu réussis. (It is certain that you will succeed.)
– Subjunctive: Il n’est pas certain que tu réussisses. (It is not certain that you will succeed.)
2. Fill-in-the-Blanks:
Create exercises where you fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb in the subjunctive mood. For example:
– Il faut que tu (faire) __________ tes devoirs. (Il faut que tu fasses tes devoirs.)
3. Role-Playing:
Engage in role-playing exercises where you use the subjunctive mood to express doubt, emotion, necessity, or hypothetical situations. For example:
– Partner A: Je veux que tu viennes à ma fête. (I want you to come to my party.)
– Partner B: Je suis désolé que je ne puisse pas venir. (I am sorry that I cannot come.)
4. Writing Prompts:
Write short paragraphs or dialogues that require the use of the subjunctive mood. For example, describe a situation where you express your doubts, emotions, or desires.
Conclusion
Mastering the subjunctive mood in French requires practice and a good understanding of when and how to use it. Remember that the subjunctive is used to express doubt, emotion, necessity, and subjectivity, and it often appears in subordinate clauses introduced by “que.” While there are regular conjugation patterns, be mindful of the irregular verbs that do not follow these patterns.
By practicing regularly and integrating the subjunctive mood into your speaking and writing, you will become more comfortable and proficient in using this essential aspect of the French language. Keep challenging yourself with exercises, role-playing, and writing prompts, and soon the subjunctive will become a natural part of your French communication skills.
