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The Subjunctive Flashcards

1
Q

What does the subjunctive express

A

The subjunctive mood expresses the speaker’s feelings about an action or state of being. It often concerns necessity, importance, or a request. In English, for example:

Indicative

1a. ) She goes to work at eight.
2a. ) We are on time.

Subjunctive

1b. ) It’s necessary that she go to work at eight.
2b. ) They ask that we be on time.

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2
Q

Structure of the subjunctive?

A

In English, choosing the subjunctive creates a formal impression. But, in French, for certain well-defined grammatical contexts, the subjunctive must be used.

The French subjunctive most often appears in the second clause of a two-clause sentence. It is linked to the first clause by que/qu’ (that).
The verb in the main clause can be in the present, past, or future, while the verb in the second clause remains in the present subjunctive.

Principal Clause (indicative) + que/qu’ + Dependent Clause (subjunctive)
*Il faut (it’s necessary) + que (that) + tu fasses la vaisselle (you do the dishes)
  • Il fallait (It was necessary) + que (that) + tu fasses la vaisselle (you do the dishes)
  • Il est nécessair (It’s necessary) + qu’ (that) + il sorte plus (he go out more)
  • Il sera nécessaire (It will be necessary + qu’ (that) + il sorte plus (he go out more)
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3
Q

How do you conjugate the subjunctive?

A

For all but two verbs (être and avoir), drop the final -ent from the third- person plural form of the present indicative (ils/elles finissent), and add the subjunctive endings: -e, -es, -e, -ions, -iez, and -ent.
Irregular verbs use the same endings, but may have irregular stems in the present subjunctive. It is best to learn their forms individually or as small groups.

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4
Q

Subjunctive

Parler

A 
Que je parle
Que tu parles
Qu’il parle
Que nous parlions
Que vous parliez
Qu’ils parlent
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5
Q

Subjunctive

Finir

A 
Que je finisse
Que tu finisses
Qu’il finisse
Que nous finissions
Que vous finissiez
Qu’ils finissent
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6
Q

Subjunctive

Vendre

A 
Que je vende
Que tu vendes
Qu’il vende
Que nous vendions
Que vous vendiez
Qu’il vendent
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7
Q

Subjunctive

Dormir

A 
Que je dorme
Que tu dormes
Qu’il dorme
Que nous dormions
Que vous dormiez
Qu’ils dorment
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8
Q

What to do if the subjunctive resembles imparfait

A

Some subjunctive forms resemble the present indicative and the imparfait. Context will show if the verb is in the subjunctive. For example, look for a clause starting with que/qu’.

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9
Q

Irregular subjunctive
Indicative
•Ils
•Nous

Subjunctive
•Je
•Nous

Boire

A

Irregular subjunctive
Indicative
•Ils boivent
•Nous buvons

Subjunctive
•Que je boive
•Que nous buvions

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10
Q

Irregular subjunctive
Indicative
•Ils
•Nous

Subjunctive
•Je
•Nous

croire

A

Irregular subjunctive
Indicative
•Ils croient
•Nous croyons

Subjunctive
•Que je croie
•Nous croyiez

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11
Q

Irregular subjunctive
Indicative
•Ils
•Nous

Subjunctive
•Je
•Nous

Devoir

A

Irregular subjunctive
Indicative
•Ils doivent
•Nous devons

Subjunctive
•Que je doive
•Que nous devions

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12
Q

Irregular subjunctive
Indicative
•Ils
•Nous

Subjunctive
•Je
•Nous

Prendre

A

Irregular subjunctive
Indicative
•Ils prennent
•Nous prenons

Subjunctive
•Que je prenne
•Que nous preniez

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13
Q

Irregular subjunctive
Indicative
•Ils
•Nous

Subjunctive
•Je
•Nous

Recevoir

A

Irregular subjunctive
Indicative
•Ils reçoivent
•Nous recevons

Subjunctive
•Que je reçoive
•Que nous recevions

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14
Q

Irregular subjunctive
Indicative
•Ils
•Nous

Subjunctive
•Je
•Nous

Venir

A

Irregular subjunctive
Indicative
•Ils viennent
•Nous venons

Subjunctive
•Que je vienne
•Que nous veniez

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15
Q

Irregular subjunctive
Indicative
•Ils
•Nous

Subjunctive
•Je
•Nous

Voir

A

Irregular subjunctive
Indicative
•Ils voient
•Nous voyons

Subjunctive
•Que je voie
•Que nous voyions

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16
Q

Subjunctive

Faire

A 
Que je fasse
Que tu fasses
Qu’il fasse
Que nous fassions
Que vous fassiez
Qu’ils fassent
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17
Q

Subjunctive

Pouvoir

A 
Que je puisse
Que tu puisses
Que il puisse
Que nous puissions
Que vous puissiez
Qu’ils puissent
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18
Q

Subjunctive

Savoir

A 
Que je sache
Que tu saches
Que il sache
Que nous sachions
Que vous sachiez
Qu’ils sachent
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19
Q

Subjunctive

Être

A 
Que je sois
Que tu sois
Qu’il soit
Que nous soyons
Que vous soyez
Qu’ils soient
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20
Q

Subjunctive

Avoir

A 
Que j’aie
Que tu aies
Que il ait
Que nous ayons
Que vous ayez
Qu’ils aient
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21
Q

Subjunctive

Aller

A 
Que j’aille
Que tu ailles
Qu’il aille
Que nous allions
Que vous alliez
Qu’ils aillent
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22
Q

Subjunctive

Vouloir

A 
Que je veuille
Que tu veuilles
Qu’il veuille
Que nous voulions
Que vous vouliez
Qu’ils veuillent
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23
Q

When to use the subjective

A

The subjunctive occurs in dependent clauses after specific types of main clauses: expressions of necessity, opinion, emotion, possibility, and doubt, both impersonal and personal. The two clauses must have different subjects, with the impersonal il or a specific person in the first clause.

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24
Q

Subjunctive with expressions of necessity

It’s essential to/that

A

Il est essentiel de/que

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25
Subjunctive with expressions of necessity | It’s important to/that
Il est important de/que
26
Subjunctive with expressions of necessity | It’s indispensable/crucial to/that
Il est indispensable de/que
27
Subjunctive with expressions of necessity | It’s necessary to/that
Il est nécessaire de/que
28
Subjunctive with expressions of necessity | It’s time to/that
Il est temps de/que
29
Subjunctive with expressions of necessity | It’s necessary to/that, one/you must
Il faut (que)
30
Subjunctive with expressions of necessity | You/one must not
Il ne faut pas (que)
31
Subjunctive with expressions of necessity | It’s better to/that
Il vaut mieux (que)
32
Difference between impersonal expressions of necessity and falloir and valoir?
Before an infinitive, impersonal expressions of necessity (il faut, il est nécessaire de, etc.) express a general obligation. Except for the verbs falloir and valoir, they all use the preposition de/d’ before an infinitive. * Il fallait arriver au bureau avant neuf heures. (We had to arrive at the office before nine o’clock) * Il est important de bien faire attention. (It’s very important to pay close attention)
33
``` Falloir •present •passé composé •imparfait •near future •future •conditional •past conditional •pluperfect ```
``` Falloir •present (Il faut) •passé composé (Il a fallu) •imparfait (il fallait) •near future (il va falloir) •future (il faudra) •conditional (il faudrait) •past conditional (il aurait fallu) •pluperfect (il avait fallu) ```
34
``` Valoir mieux •present •passé composé •imparfait •near future •future •conditional •past conditional •pluperfect ```
``` Valoir mieux •present (Il vaut mieux) •passé composé (Il a mieux valu) •imparfait (Il valait mieux) •near future (Il va mieux valoir) •future (Il vaudra mieux) •conditional (Il vaudrait mieux) •past conditional (Il aurait mieux valu) •pluperfect (Il avait mieux valu) ```
35
It’s bizzare (strange) to/that
Il est bizarre de/que
36
It’s good to/that
Il est bon de/que
37
It’s a pity to/that
Il est dommage de/que
38
It’s strange to/that
Il est étrange de/que
39
It’s unfair [unjust] to/that
Il est injuste de/que
40
It’s useless to/that
Il est inutile de/que
41
It’s fair [just] to/that
Il est juste de/que
42
It’s preferable to/that
Il est préférable de/que
43
It’s regrettable to/that
Il est regrettable de/que
44
It’s useful to/that
Il est utile de/que
45
It’s doubtful that
Il est douteux que
46
It’s impossible to/that
Il est impossible de/que
47
It’s improbable that
Il est peu probable que
48
It’s possible to/that
Il est possible de/que
49
It seems that
Il semble que
50
It’s possible that
Il se peut que
51
Which phrases cannot be used with the infinitive; they are always followed by que/qu’ + subjunctive
* Il est douteux * Il est peu probable * il se peut * Il semble They are always followed by que/qu’ + subjunctive
52
It’s certain that
Il est certain que
53
It’s clear that
Il est clair que
54
It’s obvious that
Il est évident que
55
It’s probably [likely] that
Il est probable que
56
It’s certain that
Il est sûr que
57
It’s true that
Il est vrai que
58
How are impersonal expression in negative or interrogative sentences made?
But in negative or interrogative sentences with these expressions, the subjunctive is used in the second clause to express uncertainty, doubt, or conjecture. * Il n’est pas certain que je puisse vous rejoindre. (It isn’t certain that I can join you.) * Est-il vrai qu’elle fasse toujours du violon? (Is it true that she still plays the violin?)
59
What are personal expressions of volition, emotion and doubt?
Personal expressions of will, preference, emotion, and doubt require the subjunctive in the dependent clause if there is a change of subject. If there is no change of subject, use an infinitive. * Je préfère que tu le fasses. (I prefer that you do it. (two subjects)) * Je préfère le faire moi-même. (I prefer to do it myself. (one subject))
60
To prefer, like better than
Aimer mieux que
61
To like, love that
Aimer que
62
To ask that
Demander que
63
To desire, want that
Désirer que
64
To demand, require that
Exiger que
65
To prefer that
Préférer que
66
To wish, hope that
Souhaiter que
67
To be willing that
Vouloir bien que
68
To want, to wish that
Vouloir que
69
How are epsérer and souhaiter used?
The verb espérer (to hope) is always followed by the indicative, never the subjunctive. When it is followed by the future indicative tense, espérer is often used instead of souhaiter (to wish, hope) and so avoids use of the subjunctive (which always follows souhaiter que). * Papa espère que tu seras heureux. (Dad hopes you will be happy) * Papa souhaite que tu sois heureux. (Dad wants you to be happy) * Je voudrais partir assez tôt. (I would like to leave rather early) * Nos amis exigent que nous soyons à l’heure. (Our friends demand that we be on time)
70
To fear, be afraid that/of
Avoir peur que/de
71
To be happy that/to
Être content(e) que/de
72
To be sorry that/to
Être désolé(e) que/de
73
To be angry that
Être furieux (furieuse) que
74
To be happy that/to
Être heureux (heureuse) que/de
75
To be delighted that/to
Être ravi(e) que/de
76
To regret, be sorry that/to
Regretter que/de
77
To be surprised that/to
Être suprise(e) que/de
78
I doubt that
Je doute que
79
I’m not sure that
Je ne suis pas sûr(e) que/de
80
I’m not certain that
Je ne suis pas certain(e) que/de
81
Which 2 verbs can be followed by the subjunctive is used in a negative or interrogative sentence?
The verbs penser (to think) and croire (to believe) can (optionally) be followed by the subjunctive, but only when they are used in a negative or interrogative sentence. * Tu ne penses pas que le patron ait de bonnes idées? (You don’t think the boss has good ideas?) * Croyez-vous que le bus soit à l’heure? (Do you think the bus is (will be) on time?)
82
The past subjunctive with avoir or être can be used how and when?
The past subjunctive, formed with the subjunctive of avoir or être 􏰀 the past participle, is used in specific situations. It indicates the opinion or feeling of the first subject about something that has already occurred. The verb in the past subjunctive follows que and always introduces a second subject. * Elle est mécontente que nous ne soyons pas venus. (She is unhappy that we did not come.) * Je suis ravie que tu aies réussi! (I am delighted that you passed (the exam)!) * Il est dommage qu’Annie soit tombée malade. (It is a shame that Annie got sick)
83
Subjunctive vs infinitive
Spoken French often avoids the subjunctive by substituting an infinitive for a subjunctive clause, or by choosing the prepositional form of certain con- junctions. Compare the following sets of sentences: Je demande que tu fasses le lit. (I ask that you make the bed) Je te demande de faire le lit. (I ask you to make the bed) Il faut que nous nous entraînions. (It is necessary that we work out) Il faut nous entraîner. (It’s necessary for us to work out) Nous devons nous entraîner. (We must work out)
84
``` Conjunction and then prepositions (proceed an infinitive) •Provided that •in order to •unless •before •in order to •without ```
1. ) à condition que -> à condition de 2. ) afin que -> afin de 3. ) à moins de -> à moins de 4. ) avant que -> avant de 5. ) pour que -> pour 6. ) sans que -> sans

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