When do you use the subjunctive in French?
Short answer
The subjunctive is used after que when the main clause expresses a wish, a necessity, an emotion, a doubt, or after certain conjunctions. Typical triggers are il faut que, je veux que, bien que, avant que and pour que: Il faut que tu viennes (You must come).
Step by step
- Look for que linking two clauses with different subjects.
- Check whether the first clause expresses will, necessity, emotion or doubt: vouloir, il faut, être content, douter.
- Check for conjunctions that always take the subjunctive: bien que, avant que, pour que, à condition que, sans que.
- Form it: take the ils form of the present, remove -ent, and add -e, -es, -e, -ions, -iez, -ent.
Worked example
Examples
- Je veux que tu finisses tes devoirs.
- Bien qu'il soit fatigué, il continue.
- Je suis content que vous soyez là.
Common mistakes
- Using the subjunctive after espérer que. It takes the indicative: j'espère qu'il viendra.
- Using it when both clauses have the same subject. Say je veux partir, not je veux que je parte.
- Forgetting the irregular forms of être, avoir, aller, faire, pouvoir and savoir.
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