Miriah Abbondandolo

FRNC 202 Spring 2015

Professor Simon
Le subjonctif
Meaning: Le subjonctif describes something that is uncertain, wanted, or is a possibility.
It is used for expressions of will, orders, advice, and desires. It can be used to express a
wish, passion, doubt, necessity, and judgment. It is nearly always found in dependent
clauses (a word group = subject + verb) introduced by que or qui. The subjects of the
clauses are usually different.
I want you to do it = Je veux que tu le fasses
It is necessary that we leave = Il faut que nous partions
Tip: Remember subjunctivity = subjectivity, unreality. Also there is no future
subjunctive, only present and past.
Formation: First, remove ent from the conjugated verb, in the third person plural (ils),
then, for me, you, he, she, them. Add the ending of the present indicative (used to show
the present subjunctive)
Example: Ils prennent prenn-ent Je prenne
For we, and you (all), remove ons from the first person plural (nous) then add ons and
-iez
Verbs
Impersonal expressions

Adjetives

Present indicative
Ils prenn-ent

Nous pren-ons

Opinion
I want, Im sorry, I like, I
hate, I would like
(Jaimerais)
It is important, Its good, It
would please me, It is
necessary
I am content, happy,
surprised, sorry, sad

Examples
I would like for you to
know my friends, Would
you like to take my car?
It is necessary that you
come to my house, It is
important that youre able
to go
I am happy that you are,
She is sorry that you did not
return her call

The Present formation

Present subjunctive
Je prenne
Tu prennes
Il prenne
Ils prennent
Nous prenions

Vous preniez
French subjunctives and verbs:
Expressions of will: to express an order, a need, a piece of advice, or a desire
To like better / to prefer that = aimer mieux que
To order that = commander que
To ask someone to do something = demander que
It is essential that = ile est essential que
It is important that = il est important que
To wish that = souhaiter que
Emotions and feelings: subjunctive is required for expression of emotion or feelingsfear, happiness, regret, surprise etc.
To love that = adorer que
To be happy that = tre content que
It is good that = il est bon que
It is strange that = il est trange que
To regret that = regretter que
Tip: these verbs are followed by the ne expeltif
Im afraid hell leave = Je crains quil ne parte
Opinion, possibility, doubt: verbs and expressions of doubt, possibility, and opinion
To accept = accepter que
To expect = sattendre ce que
To look for = chercher qui
To doubt that = douter que
It is doubtful that = ile est douteux que

It is not certain that = il nest pas vrai que

To suppose = supposer que
Tip: When youre looking for someone who may not exist, that is what indicates doubt
and therefore requires the subjunctive. However, these do not take the subjunctive when
they are used negatively.
Example:
Im looking for a man who knows the truth = Je cherche un home qui sache la vrit
I doubt hes coming, I dont doubt hes coming = je doute quil vienne, je ne doute pas
quil vient
Affirmative and negative: these verbs and expression dont take the subjunctive when
they are used in the affirmative, because they express facts (considered certain). When
negative they require the subjunctive.
Its that/because = cest que
To know someone that = connatre (quelquun) qui
It is certain that = il est certain que
To think that = penser que
To mean that = vouloir dire que
It is correct/true that = il est exact que
But wait it gets better because sometimes there are irregular verbs!
Examples:
Avoir (have)
Jaie, nous ayons
tre (be)
Je sois, nous soyons
Pouvoir (ability, power)
Je puisse, nous puissions
Vouloir (want)
Je veuille, nous voulions
Devoir (must)
Je doive, nous devions
Aller (go)
Jaille, nous allions
Faire (make, do)
Je fasse, nous fassions
Savoir (know)
Je sache, nous sachions
Showing the end of an action: use the past subjunctive or le subjonctif pass
She is happy that you helped = elles est heureuse que tu laides
She is happy to have your help = ells est heureuse que tu laies aide

Exercice 1:
Write the correct form o the verb in the parentheses: the indicative or the subjunctive
1. Je ne suis pas sr que tu la (connatre)
2. Cest vraiment dommage quil (ne pas avoir envie de)
continer ses etudes
3. Je voudrais que tu (faire)
un rapport de tes activits
4. Vous croyez que la sale (tre)
assez grande?
5. Elle regretted que vous (ne pas pouvoir)
partir plus tard
6. Il faut que tu (aller)
immdiatement chez le directeur
Exercice 2:
Makeup a sentence that uses each of the irregular verbs shown above